Ryan Kelly - Minnesota Vikings offensive line
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Today, the Minnesota Vikings are crossing t’s and dotting i’s and their week five game plan against the Cleveland Browns, in final preparation for a second-straight Sunday matchup across the pond, this time in London’s Tottenham Stadium.
It’s the Vikings’ second-straight game in Europe, and after a loss last weekend in Dublin to the Pittsburgh Steelers, they are desperate to claim victory, before heading home to the States.
Of course, winning won’t be easy tomorrow morning (CDT). The Cleveland Browns aren’t a very good football team right now, but given the current state of their offensive line, neither are the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings offensive line
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Sunday against the Browns, Minnesota will start (1st string) Christian Darrisaw at LT, (2nd string) Justin Skule at RT, (3rd string) Joe Huber at LG, and (starter) Will Fries at RG. At center, do-it-all offensive lineman Blake Brandel will make his starting debut at center.
Minnesota Vikings place Ryan Kelly on injured reserve
Why is Brandel starting this week at a position he has never played before? Because the MN Vikings are down both of the centers they have on roster. Starter Ryan Kelly suffered the second concussion of 2025 vs Pittsburgh and backup Michael Jurgens has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Not only was Kelly’s head injury the second of this season, but it was the sixth recorded concussion he has suffered during his 10-year NFL career. Thus, it was no surprise Saturday afternoon when the Vikings placed the 32-year-old veteran on injured reserve.
The #Vikings are placing center Ryan Kelly on injured reserve as he recovers from his second concussion in three weeks, per sources.
Kelly will miss at least four games. Another blow to Minnesota’s offensive line, which will be down two other starters Sunday vs. Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/rnT7QWVC7A
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 4, 2025
Kelly’s injured IR designation will keep him out for at least the next four games, making him eligible to return week 10 vs the Baltimore Ravens. We’ll see how he progresses. While this isn’t good news in the short term, anything short of a full on retirement announcement is a positive one, when it comes to Kelly.
Vikings’ OL injuries are a major problem
The Minnesota Vikings have yet to take an offensive snap in 2025 with the offensive line they constructed this offseason. Talented LT Christian Darrisaw is back, after he missed the first two weeks recovering from 2024 knee surgery..
Rookie Donovan Jackson will miss his second-straight game Sunday, after he underwent wrist surgery early last week. Brian O’Neill is out as well, thanks to a meniscus injury that dropped him to the turf last week.
Vikings coaches and trainers have pointed to week 7, after the bye, for a hopeful return timeline on both Jackson and O’Neill, but we will see what the future holds. Meanwhile, Ryan Kelly won’t be returning in the near future, and who knows after that. In better blocking news, CJ Ham has been activated.
The #Vikings also activated FB C.J. Ham for injured reserve and released QB Desmond Ridder. https://t.co/8pmCLz4H6w
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 4, 2025
But for now, it will be the MN Vikings’ o-line replacements facing off against an incredibly stout Cleveland Browns defensive line, which ranks near the top of the NFL in just about every defensive category, including No. 1 in pass rush and run stop win rate.
Don’t count the Minnesota Vikings out in week 5 just yet
Don’t rule the Vikings out just yet, though. Remember, the Browns are starting rookie 3rd round pick, Dillon Gabriel — after Joe Flacco threw three times as many interceptions (6) for Cleveland between weeks 1-4 than he did touchdowns (2).
And yes, Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores eats rookie quarterbacks for breakfast, holding a 9-1 record in his career (both DC and HC) against first year NFL QBs. On paper, the Vikings should have the advantage on that side of the ball Sunday.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said on offense, where a slow to go MN Vikings offense has been stuck in the mud most weeks behind a beaten and battered offensive line, a problem that has reached a point of desperation in Europe.
Brandel — who has played everywhere else on the Minnesota Vikings offensive line over the past few seasons — will snap the football to his quarterback for the first time in his football career, on the first Vikings offensive snap of Sunday’s contest.
Mentioned in this article: Ryan Kelly More About: Minnesota Vikings