KOC Reveals Major MN Vikings Injury Update Entering Week 12

It’s officially Packers week and the 4-6 Minnesota Vikings need a win in week 12 if they want to keep any hopes alive of making the NFL Playoffs when the dust settles on the 2025 regular season. So their first matchup this season against Green Bay carries more than just NFC North rivalry weight.

The Packers come into Sunday’s matchup with a 6-3-1 record. If they want to keep pace with division-leading Chicago Bears, then this contest is almost as important for Green Bay, as it is for the Vikings. Thankfully, the purple continue to get healthier, which should help their chances.

Minnesota Vikings give early week 12 injury updates

On Wednesday, head coach Kevin O’Connell brought more good news to the podium during his pre-practice press conference, where he told reporters gathered at TCO Performance Center that Jonathan Greenard will work out on his own today, before they chart a path forward for their starting outside linebacker.

Right after the Greenard update, KOC added a small but groundbreaking note on Ryan Kelly (concussion), revealing that the starting center will be a FULL participant at practice Wednesday. It’s the first time he’s been a full-go since suffering his latest head injury September 28 in London, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Jonathan Greenard will work off to the side today and we will update you guys on kinda where he is at, moving into tomorrow and Friday. Ryan Kelly should be a full participant.”

Kevin O’Connell – Wed, Nov. 19

From the sounds of it, this leads me to believe that Ryan Kelly is likely to be back on the field Sunday, in Green Bay. If true, it will be just the fourth time he’s been active, since signing with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason.

If everything goes as planned, it will also be the first time this starting o-line unit has played even one snap together, since being reconstructed in the spring.

Vikings o-line finally healthy…?

This, after starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw missed the beginning of this season recovering from knee surgery that ended his 2024. Other starters, including Brian O’Neill and Donovan Jackson, have also missed time due to injury, as have some of the Vikings depth options.

In fact, the only Minnesota o-lineman to play all ten games so far in 2025 is 27-year-old left guard, Will Fries, who missed all but five games in 2024 with the Colts due to a broken leg.

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell on Ryan Kelly's status. pic.twitter.com/KoObncc1Fe

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 19, 2025

And as the line has gotten healthier, so has the play. Without a doubt, week 11 against the Chicago Bears was Vikings’ best as an offensive line. There were holes all over for both running backs and JJ McCarthy had more time and open receivers than he had poise.

Now, in week 12 against the hated Green Bay Packers, it appears the Minnesota Moving Company should be even better. Of course, what we see on paper isn’t always what unfolds on game day. So until then, we can only imagine how good things will be with all five healthy starters up front.