J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Getty
J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Minnesota Vikings suffered a humbling loss on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 2, a stark contrast to their late-game heroics in Week 1. What is more, and possibly worse, the Vikings could be without starting center Ryan Kelly next week amid a “very concerning” injury.
Kelly exited the Vikings’ 22-6 home-opening loss to the Atlanta Falcons early with a concussion and did not return.
That was just part of the Vikings’ myriad injury concerns that emerged during the contest.
Vikings C Ryan Kelly’s History Paints Omious Picture
Ryan Kelly, J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings signals under center Ryan Kelly #78 against the Atlanta Falcons.
Kelly, a four-time Pro Bowler, signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the Vikings in free agency this past offseason. The 32-year-old pivot arrives after nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, where he started all 121 of his regular-season appearances.
He also dealt with similar health issues, leading to scrutiny over his signing in hindsight.
“Ryan Kelly (concussion protocol) is now OUT,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert posted on X on September 14. “A very concerning development given his history.”
Vikings signed C Ryan Kelly knowing he had a recent history of injuries. Two games, he's been in the blue tent or left the game in both.
— Purple FTW! Podcast (@PurpleForTheWin) September 15, 2025
Per Seifert, Kelly had three documented concussions with the Colts.
Kelly has logged full regular-season slates three times in nine seasons, and he has missed multiple games in five of his other campaigns. That includes logging 10 games in 2024 amid knee and neck injuries.
Vikings OL Depleted Early
Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings
GettyLeft tackle Christian Darrisaw of the Minnesota Vikings.
Kelly was part of an intentional retooling of the Vikings’ O-line this offseason. He and fellow former Colt Will Fries were brought in to help shore up a leaky OL alongside fellow newcomer and guard Donovan Jackson and incumbent tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.
However, Darrisaw remains out as he returns from a knee injury suffered last season.
In addition to losing Kelly during the contest, the Vikings also lost backup left tackle Justin Skule and were forced to turn to 2024 sixth-round pick Walter Rouse.
The Vikings had the right idea about their offensive line, and they took it a step further by bolstering their backfield with a trade for former San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason.
You want a shot at a lot of $$$ as WR or RB
Practice long sticks with one stride and drive stepping with toes of other foot pointed 90 degrees to boundary at full speed.
This kind of hip movement underscores great routes and RB C.O.D.
Jordan Mason #Vikings pic.twitter.com/Otu5CnLFp0
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) September 15, 2025
However, those additions are only impactful when they are on the field.
Not having Darrisaw is a critical deficiency, since he is supposed to be protecting the inexperienced J.J. McCarthy’s blindside.
The Vikings also lost running back Aaron Jones to a hamstring injury, and the severity is unclear, leaving Minnesota depleted around McCarthy. Wide receiver Jordan Addison still has one more week in his three-game suspension stemming from his July 2024 arrest.
J.J. McCarthy Feels Impact of Vikings’ OL Injuries
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings fumbles while being sacked by Zach Harrison #96 of the Atlanta Falcons.
Kelly and the Vikings were able to rattle off 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. They had no such luck, particularly without Kelly, in Week 2, and the Falcons’ defense was a big reason why.
McCarthy absorbed 6 sacks on the night.
The Falcons defense pressured J.J. McCarthy 16 times, including 6 sacks. They generated pressure on 53.3% of dropbacks, the highest rate by Atlanta in a game since Week 15 of 2018.
Six different pass rushers recorded at least 3 pressures.
Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/p8yCxgecjq
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 15, 2025
For further context, former Vikings starter Sam Darnold’s season high was 5 sacks absorbed during the 2024 season.
Darnold is a veteran who logged 56 starts in 66 games played across a six-year career before joining the Vikings. The Vikings do not expect McCarthy to carry the load as his predecessor did last season.
The second-year QB noted that this was but one game early in the season.
McCarthy and the Vikings’ situation could be far more complicated if Kelly is forced to miss time going forward. 2024 seventh-rounder Michael Jurgens replaced Kelly on Monday night.