Questionable Vikings Starters Expect to Play vs Packers

The Minnesota Vikings held their final full day of practice on Friday at TCO Performance Center, before they head East for a Sunday afternoon week 12 matchup against hated NFC North rival, the Green Bay Packers.

For the 4-6 Vikings, it’s a must-win game if they want any hope of remaining in the playoff race, going into week 13. But the 6-3-1 Packers are in the same boat, if they want to keep up with the division-leading Chicago Bears.

As has been the case since pretty much since the end of their week 6 bye, the MN Vikings continue to get healthier. In fact, only two Vikings starters have been limited at practice this week due to injury, OLB Jonathan Greenard and RG Will Fries.

MN Vikings Final Week 12 Injury Report: Fries in, Greenard and Kelly questionable

On Friday, Minnesota’s final injury report of week 12 was released and Fries was no longer on it, meaning the 27-year-old offseason free agent signing is good to go vs the Packers. Greenard, meanwhile, was listed as questionable, along with center Ryan Kelly, who hasn’t played since week 4 in Dublin.

Final #MINvsGB injury report

QUESTIONABLE: Jonathan Greenard and Ryan Kelly*

*Currently in 21-day return to practice window pic.twitter.com/Y1myus9hS2

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 21, 2025

Second-year OLB Dallas Turner played pretty well against Chicago last weekend, in the absence of Jonathan Greenard. But the MN Vikings defense is a shell of itself without one of its three core linebackers, Greenard, Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman — all of whom have missed time this season.

Jonathan Greenard has struggled to bring down opposing quarterbacks in 2025, posting just two sacks in 9 games played. This, after racking up 12 sacks in 2024. Still, the 28-year-old holds a 70.0 pass rush grade (PFF) on the season, and leads the Vikings in pressures with 27.

Jonathan Greenard, Ryan Kelly both expected to play vs Packers

And while he is listed as questionable on the injury report, Greenard told Emily Leiker (Star Tribune) on Thursday that, regardless of what the injury report says, he’s “super confident” he’ll be active Sunday in Lambeau.

Greenard said after practice he’s feeling “good” and that he’s “super confident” he will be able to play Sunday at Green Bay.

Emily Leiker – Star Tribune

And while the Minnesota Vikings have yet to officially activate Ryan Kelly, he was a full participant in practice all week, and he’s fully cleared to play. On top of that, the Vikings waived cornerback Dwight McGlothern on Thursday, and have yet to fill his spot, which is expected to be waiting for Kelly’s activation.

In other words, it seems more than likely that both of “questionable” Vikings players from Friday will be active and starting against the Green Bay Packers later this weekend. Of course, we will not know for sure until the active/inactive lists come out two hours prior to game time on Sunday.

Ryan Kelly was a full participant for the third straight day, as he prepares for his return on Sunday. The #Vikings will have to activate him from injured reserve by tomorrow, but they’ve kept Dwight McGlothern’s roster spot open for him. pic.twitter.com/0Jo6kOaEg5

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) November 21, 2025