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A Minnesota Vikings fan shows support from the stands during an Oct 16, 2022 matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Miami Gardens, Florida. Despite the road setting at Hard Rock Stadium, purple-clad supporters made their presence known as Minnesota continued its strong start to the season. © BILL INGRAM / THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK.
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The Minnesota Vikings’ injury report is massive just two weeks into the season, so much so that fans are being forced to reevaluate expectations for the team in 2025.
The Vikings’ first injury report hit this week, and predictably, one player did not practice, setting the stage for his absence in Week 3.
And with Week 3 just a few days away, a game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota will likely be without starting center Ryan Kelly.
Ryan Kelly Gets the DNP Treatment to Start the Week
Kelly is concussed and probably won’t play on Sunday.
 and center Ryan Kelly (78) warm up before the game against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images</p>
<p>” data-medium-file=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/localimages/USATSI_26814279_168394844_lowres.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/USATSI_26814279_168394844_lowres.jpg” src=”https://www.newsh2o.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/localimages/USATSI_26814279_168394844_lowres.jpg” alt=”J.J. McCarthy and Ryan Kelly warm up before the Vikings’ 2025 preseason game vs. Texans.”><figcaption>Minnesota quarterback J. McCarthy (9) and center Ryan Kelly (78) go through pregame warmups before facing the Houston Texans on Aug 9, 2025 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The preparation marked one of McCarthy’s first opportunities to work alongside his new veteran center in a game setting. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.<span></span></figcaption></figure>
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<h3>Center Ryan Kelly Doesn’t Practice on Wednesday</h3>
<p>ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “No surprise, but neither C Ryan Kelly nor LT Justin Skule were on the Vikings’ practice field today during the media viewing portion.. Both are in concussion protocol. J.J. McCarthy, who coach Kevin O’Connell said is wearing a boot on his right ankle, was not there, either.”</p>
<p>The silver lining? Most didn’t expect Kelly to practice in the first place, so the news from Wednesday was basically a confirmation.</p>
<h3>Full Concussion Recovery Time Is 9 Days on Average </h3>
<p>Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah suffered concussions in Week 1 and did not play six days later in the loss to Atlanta. The average time from game to game for a player to return from a concussion is nine days, so if Kelly follows that path, he’s looking at a return in Week 4 when Minnesota will face Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers in Ireland. </p>
<p>The Vikings aren’t known for rushing injury recoveries — they’re actually known for the opposite — and especially won’t press the gas pedal on a concussion.</p>
<h3>The Michael Jurgens Show on Deck</h3>
<p>If Kelly can’t go — he probably won’t — Michael Jurgens will make his first-ever start against Cincinnati. In 24 snaps last weekend, Jurgens delivered a 57.0 <em>Pro Football Focus</em> grade, with a 45.2 pass-blocking mark and 71.0 score via pass protection. For a night, the man was basically Garrett Bradbury reincarnated.</p>
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