Vikings Shut Down Another Lineman, Face Future Questions

On Christmas afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings face the Detroit Lions for a Week 17 game that can’t help an already eliminated Vikings make it back into the postseason picture.

It does, however, represents an opportunity for Minnesota to get back to .500 while simultaneously ending the Lions’ playoff hopes too. In other words, Thursday is a battle of failed expectations, especially if the Vikings come out on top.

The MN Vikings go into Christmas Day without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, among others like Christian Darrisaw and Jonathan Greenard, who were both placed on injured reserve recently.

Ryan Kelly placed on IR by MN Vikings

On Wednesday, to the surprise of nobody, center Ryan Kelly is now joining them, after suffered the third concussion of his 2025 season again the New York Giants. Unlike the previous two, this one will end Kelly’s first season as a Viking.

The #Vikings have signed G Henry Byrd to the 53-man roster and elevated LB Sione Takitaki to the active roster for tomorrow's game.

C Ryan Kelly has been placed on IR and TE Gavin Bartholomew has been downgraded to out for #DETvsMIN. pic.twitter.com/pWPC6nWWO8

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 24, 2025

The two year deal Kelly signed with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason, as a free agent, has him back for 2026, but we’ll see if he continues to play football, following the 4th, 5th and 6th documented concussions this season.

Kelly, the 18th overall pick in 2016, has played in 129 games over 10 seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler has made more than $77 million during his playing career, up to this point.

In Ryan Kelly’s place Christmas Day, snapping to UDFA and former Gopher Max Brosmer, will be Michael Jurgens. The Vikings also elevated Henry Byrd and Sione Takitaki to the active roster.

Offense lacking for MN Vikings

It’s not just Ryan Kelly that is out on Thursday. The offense will also be missing starting tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Gavin Bartholomew, after both downgraded to “Out” on Wednesday. That means we’ll see a ton of Josh Oliver tomorrow.

The Minnesota Vikings’ ailments don’t stop there, unfortunately. Running back Jordan Mason can’t go either, so expect a ton of Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, who was just activated off the injury report Tuesday. We’ll see some Zavier Scott too.

Final #DETvsMIN injury report pic.twitter.com/nf6jUEopJe

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 24, 2025

Meanwhile, right tackle Brian O’Neill will carry a “questionable” designation, so we will have to wait until pregame workouts before we find out if Brosmer will be without his starting center, left tackle AND right tackle vs the Lions.