The Minnesota Vikings have officially designated center Ryan Kelly for return from injured reserve, opening his practice window. This marks a positive development in the team”s cautious management of the veteran”s concussion history.
On Wednesday, the Vikings took a significant step by allowing Kelly to return to practice, with quarterback J.J. McCarthy praising his impact. “He”s got this infectious wise-man energy to him. Everyone just feels a lot more comfortable when he”s around in pads, suited up,” McCarthy stated. “He”s one of the leaders of this team.”
The Vikings have a three-week period to assess Kelly before deciding whether to activate him or keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season. Coach Kevin O”Connell, who opted to place Kelly on injured reserve five games ago, noted that Kelly had performed well in his recent workouts, warranting this next step in his recovery.
During practice, Kelly will wear a Guardian cap, which is a soft-shelled helmet pad that some players utilize for added protection. After experiencing multiple concussions while with the Indianapolis Colts, Kelly was able to play the entire season opener in his Vikings debut but had to exit during Week 2, entering the concussion protocol.
Although Kelly was cleared to return in Week 4, he faced setbacks and was sidelined again before halftime. “I wanted him to be banging down my office door, and he”s getting pretty darn close to doing that,” O”Connell remarked.
In Kelly”s absence, Blake Brandel transitioned from left guard to center, starting the last five games. Meanwhile, McCarthy was seen wearing a wrap on his throwing hand after a collision with a helmet while following through on a pass during the third quarter of the previous game. O”Connell indicated that he does not anticipate the bruising affecting McCarthy”s practice time this week, despite the necessary treatment for pain and swelling.
“I definitely felt it for sure,” McCarthy acknowledged. “But there”s no excuses at all. You”ve got to find ways to adapt and make sure the ball gets to our receivers.”
Additionally, quarterback Carson Wentz, who filled in for McCarthy during his recovery from a sprained ankle, underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, according to O”Connell.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard, who exited the last game due to a shoulder injury, did not practice on Wednesday. O”Connell expressed optimism regarding Greenard”s chance to play on Sunday, emphasizing that he has not missed a game in two seasons with Minnesota.
