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

The Vikings will enter Christmas Day without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, along with key contributors Christian Darrisaw and Jonathan Greenard, both of whom were recently placed on injured reserve.

Ryan Kelly Placed on IR by MN Vikings

On Wednesday, to the surprise of no one, center Ryan Kelly joined that list after suffering his third concussion of the 2025 season again the New York Giants. Unlike the previous two, this injury will officially end Kelly’s first season in Minnesota.

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

Kelly signed a two-year deal with the Vikings last offseason, meaning he is under contract through 2026. However, it remains to be seen whether he will continue his playing career after sustaining what appear to be his fourth, fifth, and sixth documented concussions.

The former 18th overall pick in 2016 NFL Draft, has appeared in 129 games over 10 seasons. The four-time Pro Bowler has earned more than $77 million during his career to this point.

With Kelly sidelined Christmas Day, Michael Jurgens will take over at center, snapping to undrafted rookie quarterback and former Gopher Max Brosmer. The Vikings also elevated Henry Byrd and Sione Takitaki to the active roster.

Offense Lacking for MN Vikings

Ryan Kelly isn’t the only offensive piece missing Thursday. The Vikings will also be without starting tight ends T.J. Hockenson and Gavin Bartholomew, both of whom were downgraded to “out” on Wednesday. That should lead to an increased workload for Josh Oliver.

The injury list doesn’t stop there. Running back Jordan Mason is also unavailable, meaning a heavy dose Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler, who was just activated from the injury report Tuesday. Zavier Scott should factor into the rotation as well.

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

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 24, 2025

Meanwhile, right tackle Brian O’Neill carries a “questionable” designation. His status won’t be known until pregame warmups, leaving open the possibility that Brosmer could be without his starting center, left tackle, and right tackle against Detroit.

Kevin O’Connell’s team was forced to turn around after their plane experienced a mechanical issue. Fortunately, everyone was safe, and the delay will only push their arrival back slightly.

Beyond the travel hiccup, the Vikings will also take the field with a reshuffled roster. Injuries have plagued the team all season, and Christian Darrisaw has now been placed on season-ending injured reserve. As a result, Minnesota will continue making weekly roster adjustments to fill out the 53-man lineup.

Reinforcements for Defense, Offense Still Banged Up

Both Gavin Bartholomew and Ty Chandler have had their 21-day practice windows opened after missing significant time, but neither has been cleared to return this week.

The #Vikings have signed CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. to the active roster and elevated LB Sione Takitaki to the active roster for tomorrow's game.

TE Gavin Bartholomew and RB Ty Chandler have been downgraded to out. pic.twitter.com/kq4KTeTgxS

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 20, 2025

On the defensive side, cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. and linebacker Sione Takitaki are noteworthy additions. McGlothern has appeared in eight games this season, logging 31 snaps on defense. Takitaki, a third-round pick by the Browns in 2019, played 11 games with the Patriots last season and could make his first appearance with the Vikings this week.

Minnesota selected Bartholomew in the sixth round of this year’s draft, but he has been sidelined all season and hasn’t had an opportunity to show what he can do. With uncertainty surrounding T.J. Hockenson’s future, it would have been valuable to see Bartholomew establish himself behind Josh Oliver.

Chandler has been out since the first week of the season. With Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones healthy, his role in the backfield has largely disappeared. He did contribute in the return game against Chicago, but Myles Price has since taken over most of those duties.

Minnesota can improve their record to 7-8 with a win over the Giants on Sunday. They’ll close out the season with a Christmas afternoon matchup against Detroit before hosting Green Bay in Week 18.

Meanwhile, the Vikings’ 2025 regular season opener on Monday Night Football in Chicago against the Bears looms large on September 8. Minnesota, whose offense has been somewhat ravaged by minor injuries to start training camp, needs to be healthy and ready to go before then.

Unfortunately, they are not there yet. The Vikings invested in multiple players this offseason, who came in with major questions surrounding their health. Toss them in with those already on the roster with injury concerns, and there is plenty of reason to worry. Thankfully, the most recent updates are mostly positive.

Minnesota Vikings injury update No. 1: Justin Jefferson

The Minnesota Vikings injury that fans and media are paying closest attention to, understandably, is that of superstar wide receiver, Justin Jefferson. The 25-year-old former 1st round pick has been dealing with a mild hamstring strain and and hasn’t participated at training camp in two weeks.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided an update on Wednesday, and while he wouldn’t commit to any sort of return timeline for his highly compensated superstar, it sounds as though Jefferson’s return is getting growing in imminence.

"He's clearly building up to a point where he's going to be 100% and we're going to get him back out there" -Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on @jjettas2's status pic.twitter.com/gKRM4sk97K

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 6, 2025

“Ideally, you’d love to get him, I’d love for him to practice today if we could. We’ll continue kind of ramping him up and you guys have seen him. If he’s not running to try to tackle me before practice today, which has kind of been a normal occurrence, he certainly looks healthy when he’s trying to tackle me pre-practice here. He’s clearly building back up to a point where he’s 100%, we’re going to get him back out there.”

Kevin O’Connell

Related: 4 Wide Receivers that Vikings Should Consider

In 2023 Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury against the Chicago Bears and wound up playing just 10 games (nine starts). Outside of that, Justin has remained mostly healthy through the first five seasons of his NFL career.

Last season, Jefferson posted 1,533 yards and ten touchdowns on 103 receptions across 17 games. Once again he will be leaned on as a focal part of the offense. If you have watched the clips of Justin Jefferson, you might wonder why he isn’t in pads.

Show me a better player-coach relationship than Justin Jefferson and Kevin O'Connell.

We see these two chum it up like this, all the time.

Also, great seeing Jefferson jogging around at the night practice at TCO Stadium tonight. Looks like the hamstring is good to go. pic.twitter.com/VoJcGCtQhq

— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) August 5, 2025

With new quarterback J.J. McCarthy under center, and second option Jordan Addison suspended for the Minnesota Vikings’ first three games of the 2025 regular season, the offense cannot afford to be without its No. 1 weapon.

TJ Hockenson, MN Vikings OL getting healthier

Justin Jefferson is not the only player on the offensive side of the ball dealing with an injury for the Minnesota Vikings. Local inside Darren “Doogie” Wolfson shed light on some of those situations earlier this week, during his regular Tuesday appearance on SKOR North.

“On Christian Darrisaw, it’s trending [up]. I get it there’s still some boxes to check. Let’s see how he gets through next week, joint practices with the Patriots in particular, but certainly encouraging

Will Fries, slowly building back up, all of his conditioning. Ryan Kelly, elbow ok. I haven’t heard that’s some sort of long setback. T.J. Hockenson…I have not heard that the Hock injury is anything long term.”

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

Related: Former MN Vikings First Round Pick Retires

On Wednesday afternoon, Wolfson was proven correct on multiple injury fronts. TJ Hockenson returned to practice and participated in both team and individual drills. He did sit out some, as he works his way back to full-participation, but clearly he’s nearing full-health. (Emily Leiker – Star Tribune).

Hockenson, who has not played a full season in any of his three years with the Vikings. Acquired via mid-season trade back in 2022, the former Iowa standout has played in 35 of 44 possible games in purple, showing that staying on the field for 17-straight contests is a realistic goal.

Key starting offensive linemen — LT Christian Darrisaw (torn knee) and and RG Will Fries (broken arm) — have been back in the practice mix for a week or more, as both bigs continue their respective comebacks from injuries that derailed their 2024 seasons.

Latest on Ryan Kelly injury, others

Unless there’s a setback in either case, both are expected to start week one of the regular season, in Chicago. Wolfson’s update on new center Ryan Kelly (elbow) was positive. He seems to be the furthest out from a return to practicing with Minnesota’s first team.

According to Kevin Seifert (ESPN), Kelly participated in Wednesday’s walkthrough segment of practice, but sat out everything else. Sixth round draft pick Gavin Bartholomew and new OL signee, Matt Nelson, will both miss substantial time with their injuries.

Center Ryan Kelly (elbow) participated in the walk-through but not practice. He continued to be replaced by second-year center Michael Jurgens.

Kevin Seifert – ESPN

Related: 4 Wide Receivers that Vikings Should Consider

Bartholomew has been out since early OTAs, shortly after the Vikings drafted him, and Nelson (who was just picked up on July 31) suffered a bicep tear (per Wolfson) during night practice on Monday.

Ultimately, it’s good that the injuries suffered during Minnesota Vikings training camp don’t seem to be substantial, at this point. This team need as much talent at their disposal as possible, come September 8, on Monday Night Football.

But general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and his front office need to get value out of their late round picks too. So far, third-rounder Tai Felton is a lock to make the team and sixth rounder Kobe King has garnered some attention too.

Gavin Bartholomew will miss real time for Minnesota Twins

Unfortunately, it isn’t all good news on the draftee front. See the Vikings’ other 6th round pick, tight end Gavin Bartholomew, out of Pitt. Minnesota drafted him in hopes that he’d compete for a roster spot immediately.

According to Darren Wolfson (KSTP) on SKOR North Tuesday, the 6’4″ 260 pound freak athlete, who suffered a back injury shortly after being drafted, will not be ready anytime near week one of the 2025 regular season.

“If you want to talk long term, Gavin Bartholomew. Who I don’t think was going to be a big part of their September plans. If you had asked me in early-June, ok early 53-man roster projection, I would have told you…he makes the roster. He is not going to be ready in September…Gavin Bartholomew I am told, is a long-term injury.

Darren Wolfson – Skor North

Related: Minnesota Vikings Add More Pass-Catching Help

As Wolfson noted, there’s no reason to believe a sixth round pick was going to be a key part of the offense. That said, the Vikings don’t have a Nick Muse-type around anymore, and depth is necessary. Bartholomew’s injury is likely why veteran Nick Vannett was brought in, as well.

In his senior season at Pitt, Bartholomew hauled in 38 passes for 322 yards and found paydirt four times. This back injury certainly isn’t the way Minnesota’s rookie wanted to start his professional career. Now behind the eight ball, he’ll need to get healthy and then climb a mountain to get back into the 53-man conversation.

Matt Nelson out long term for MN Vikings

Just last week the MN Vikings signed offensive lineman Matt Nelson as additional depth up front. The line is a place where Minnesota has spent considerable money this offseason. Unfortunately he’s done before he’ll ever get started.

Unfortunate news for #Vikings OL Matt Nelson after he just signed last week: Told he suffered a biceps tear last night. https://t.co/La319Hya2S

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) August 6, 2025

After spending four seasons in Detroit, and being out of the league last year, Nelson is dealing with even more adversity. A torn biceps will require surgery and certainly a significant amount of time on the shelf.

It’s probable that he doesn’t see action at all this season. He’ll be looking for another opportunity in 2026 as a 30-year-old.

Prior to the draft, Minnesota was one of the more active teams in free agency, which put their roster in a great spot entering the draft. The Vikings’ limited number of picks pushed them down a lot of draft rankings, but most agree that what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and everyone involved in the draft process did what they could with the handful of selections they did have.

It’s difficult for a team to improve on a 14-win season, no matter how good they are. That’s just a lot of wins. But no matter their record, the 2025 Minnesota Vikings look like a better team on paper going into summer workouts than what we thought we had this time last year. Part of that confidence was built through the draft.

Donovan Jackson expected to start for Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings’ first round pick, Donovan Jackson, is expected to get every opportunity to beat out incumbent starter, Blake Brandel. Entering the draft, many believed Kwesi would trade back and acquire more assets, given they only owned four picks when night one kicked off.

Instead, they chose to stick and pick the Ohio State guard/tackle at No. 24 overall pick. He’s good. He’s so good in fact, he moved to left tackle to cover for an injury and excelled there as well. Given his skill and versatility, all signs point to Jackson being a Vikings starter in week one.

#OSU OL Donovan Jackson played tackle down the stretch for the Buckeyes but I particularly liked his ability to climb to the 2nd level as a guard and his recovery ability if he initially lost a rep. Holds a firm anchor against interior DL too. I view him as a guard longterm. pic.twitter.com/bQVkqIStB4

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) March 28, 2025

Minnesota drafted Jackson in hope that he will be able to immediately join newly signed veterans Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. Christian Darrisaw is expected back to make the rookie’s life easier on the outside. But if all goes to plan, redshirt rookie J.J. McCarthy should have the best offensive line the Vikings have employed in decades.

Related: MN Vikings Minicamp: KOC Reveals First Impressions of QB Max Brosmer

Biggest competition: Last season, Blake Brandel ranked 99th of 136 guards per Pro Football Focus. That’s a low bar for Jackson to clear, but you just never know about these rookies (especially on the OL), until we start hearing reports out of training camp, when helmets and pads come on.

Can Tai Felton earn snaps at wide receiver?

It’s possible that Tai Felton factors into the Minnesota Vikings special teams plans immediately. But after one weekend of rookie camp, that might be selling his year-one impact short. The Maryland product showed out against the Gophers last fall, then went on to finish 2024 with nine touchdowns on 1,124 yards receiving.

Tai Felton ended up in my top 100. Can stretch the field vertically, run after the catch, and and has suddenness within his routes pic.twitter.com/QLKQ9pFGTv

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 24, 2025

Felton is 6’2″ and can operate in the slot or the outside. With Jordan Addison in line for a two or three game suspension (stemming from his DUI arrest last summer) depth receivers like Felton and 2024 WR3 Jalen Nailor will get all sorts of opportunities for more targets over the next few months.

Biggest Competition: Last season, Jalen Nailor scored six touchdowns on 414 yards, in his first year taking over WR3 duties for K.J. Osborn. but he’s been unreliable throughout his three years in purple, recording key drops and an inability to stay healthy.

That’s where Felton could factor into WR2 conversations, especially if he can rise up the depth chart in time for Addison’s likely imminent suspension. You have to wonder how much job security Nailor has, after Felton’s selection in the 3rd round last April. But without a doubt, he’ll make the 53-man roster, barring something unforeseen taking place.

Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is a freak athlete… but can he get on the field?

Late round picks often draw less fanfare. When adding to a rushing group for the Vikings that includes Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner, you’re already up against it. That doesn’t mean Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins doesn’t stand a chance to make the roster out of Training Camp.

Look, this dude is a freak athlete and RAS darling. And especially in 2025, ceiling talent matters more than one’s ability to contribute on the field for an NFL roster now. At Georgia, Ingram Dawkins was used as a weapon all across the Bulldogs’ defensive front, both along the edges and in the interior

Related: Every Player at 2025 Minnesota Vikings Rookie Camp, Including Top Ranked UDFA Class

As a senior at Georgia, Ingram Dawkins played 14 games on a talented Georgia DL rotation, totalling just 536 total snaps and recording three sacks and eight tackles for loss. PFF gave him a 69.8 defense grade, which included a much higher run stop grade (70.8) than it did pass rush (60.2).

Will be curious to see where Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins finds a role. Super athletic and can play big end or kick inside in sub packages pic.twitter.com/ZrU26VBBCj

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 17, 2025

Dane Brugler from The Athletic called Ingram-Dawkins a day three pick that could surprise. “Ingram-Dawkins was more of a flash player than consistent force in Kirby Smart’s front seven. But he is a good-sized athlete and brings enough inside-outside versatility on the defensive line to eventually develop from a rotational player into someone who pushes for starting reps.”

Minnesota has plenty of mouths to feed when it comes to rushing the passer. If Ingram-Dawkins can have a good summer/camp, he’ll have a chance to make the roster. If not, he’s practice squad material for sure.

Kobe King has clear path to MN Vikings 53-man

Last season, former Gopher out of Eden Prairie Blake Cashman came home and immediately shined for the Minnesota Vikings. Health has been an issue his entire career, a trend we saw continue in 2024-25. Former UDFA-turned starter Ivan Pace also dealt with his own injury issues last season.

To alleviate some of that depth stress in the insider linebacker room, Minnesota recently brought back veteran Eric Wilson, after he left for a stint with NFC North rival Green Bay. But during they draft, the Vikings doubled down on what could be a late-round steal in Penn State ILB, Kobe King.

Working on a 2025 LB superlatives article and by far the easiest choice was Kobe King → Best Block Shedder. Most linebackers into today’s CFB don't have a reel half this long pic.twitter.com/Wm0je3xRhK

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 18, 2025

A three-year starter for Penn State, King is an immediate threat to take Brian Asamoah’s job. He may not get defensive snaps out of the gate, but he could be a special teams asset now and a defensive contributor in the very near future. Last season with the Nittany Lions, King racked up three sacks tallied 97 total tackles.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Expected to Play Multiple Games Overseas in 2025

Many people also like UDFA linebacker signee, Austin Keys. FantasyLife.com draft expert, Thor Nystrom believes both King and Asamoah should be watching over their shoulders for Keys, who one NFL coach told him would have been a fifth rounder, had it not been for injuries.

Same with the other 6th Rd Pick – Gavin Bartholomew

Maybe tight end wasn’t the most obviousl position for the Minnesota Vikings to target in the 2025 NFL Draft. But a closer look reveals a team that relies a lot on their tight ends to do a variety of different jobs.

So, after losing both Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse in free agency, only T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver remained on the depth chart, entering the draft. That was never going to be enough. The Vikings love to keep three or four tight ends active, and that almost ensures Gavin Bartholomew makes the roster.

Last season, at Pittsburgh, Bartholomew recorded a career-high 38 receptions for 322 yards and four touchdowns. He’s somewhat raw but he can catch the football and has shown he can block too.

A tight end I have come on late to is Pitt Gavin Bartholomew

He strikes me as a guy who’s best ball is in front of him — solid blocker, YAC guy, fights for every yard, solid athletic profile, makings of an all-around TE at the next level pic.twitter.com/0dUv6nGMP8

— Brad (@Graham_SFN) April 10, 2025

If Gavin can pick things up on offense somewhat quickly, at the NFL level, there’s nothing standing in between him and the MN Vikings week one 53-man roster… which uncoincidentally seems to be the case for much of this year’s draft class.

But ultimately, they chose to stick and pick at No. 24, leaving the wheeling and dealing for later rounds. When the dust settled in Green Bay on Saturday afternoon, the Vikings walked away with five rookie draft picks to sign before training camp (plus a new QB2), selections that landed in the first, third, fifth and sixth rounds.

Meet the 2025 Minnesota Vikings draft class

(G) Donovan Jackson – Ohio State | Rd 1, Pick 24

Donovan Jackson was the pick on Thursday night. The Minnesota Vikings will give him every chance possible to win the starting job in camp. He bumped out to left tackle for Ohio State for half of last season, due to an injury they suffered at the position, a risky move for a draft-eligible senior. But in the end, it only added to Jackson’s collegiate highlight reel.

(WR) Tai Felton – Maryland | Rd 3, Pick 102

Another potential early contributor is wide receiver Tai Felton. He starred at Maryland and has a height advantage (6’2″ compared to 6’0″) over Jalen Nailor. Felton had 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns during his final collegiate season.

The best thing about WR Tai Felton is he does something Justin Jefferson & Jordan Addison don’t do…
He is suited to run Jet Sweeps & Smoke & Tunnel screens. He has KR vision when he gets the ball in the open field. #Vikings will have a crowded room.
pic.twitter.com/h91QWNrDsx

— Ron Johnson (@3RonJohnson) April 26, 2025

Minnesota will need depth for a potential Jordan Addison suspension as a result of his arrest last summer. Felton could also just wind up taking over for Nailor who is in the final year of his rookie deal.

(EDGE) Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins – Georgia | Rd 5, Pick 139

Ingram-Dawkins joins a now star-studded defensive front. He can contribute on the interior as well as the edge. The Minnesota Vikings added Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in free agency to shore up the middle. They pair with edge talent in the form of Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Dallas Turner.

(LB) Kobe King – Penn State | Rd 6, Pick 201

Kobe King is depth additions for the MN Vikings linebacker group. He’ll need to prove in rookie and training camp that he deserves a spot on the 53-man roster, or at least the practice squad. King totalled 97 tackles as a senior, nine of which were TFLs (3 sacks)

Kobe King plays with a MEAN STREAK.

Thick build, good eyes, big hitter.

Coverage ability is rough but there’s plenty to mold for a draft pick in the 200s.

pic.twitter.com/InevykQcCn

— Brady Balhorn – BNB Football (@BnbFootball) April 26, 2025

The Vikings have starting linebackers in the form of Ivan Pace Jr. and Blake Cashman, but they brought in veteran Eric Wilson to help out in 2025. We’ll see if/when King can push himself into the final roster conversation

(TE) Gavin Bartholomew – Pittsburgh | Rd 6, Pick 202

At tight end the Vikings needed a body after the departures of Nick Muse and Johnny Mundt. Bartholomew played four seasons for Pittsburgh and hauled in 11 touchdowns across 50 games. His 38 receptions as a senior were a career high.

Vikings Future TE1 Gavin Bartholomew 👀 pic.twitter.com/9vdXTML8FS

— MNMuse (@_MNMuse) April 26, 2025

MN Vikings now turn to Undrafted Free Agency

The work with rookie prospects doesn’t stop when the NFL Draft ends. Minnesota’s most recent undrafted free agent success story is Ivan Pace Jr. of course. Last year it was cornerback Dwight McGlothern that drew plenty of fanfare.

There are still some places for Minnesota to shore up on the roster. They added Sam Howell as the backup quarterback through a trade with Seattle on Saturday. It’s possible they bring in another arm to push Brett Rypien.

Related: NFL Draft Experts Drool Over New MN Viking, Donovan Jackson

Minnesota may need depth at the cornerback and safety positions as well. There have been rumblings about a reunion with Shaq Griffin or Stephon Gilmore. It’s great that the draft room can now disperse, but the front office still has plenty of work to do prior to training camp.