A Promising Start Undermined by Injuries
Coming off a disappointing 2024 season, where late losses to the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams exposed vulnerabilities in the offensive line, the Vikings took decisive action in the offseason. They signed veteran center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries from the Indianapolis Colts, while also drafting left guard Donovan Jackson, a standout from the national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. On paper, the offensive line appeared fortified, ready to protect rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy and power the team’s run-heavy, play-action offense.
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However, the optimism was short-lived. Ryan Kelly, a cornerstone of the line, suffered his second concussion of the 2025 season, raising serious concerns about his long-term health. Donovan Jackson is sidelined with a wrist injury, and right tackle Brian O’Neill went down with a probable MCL injury in a 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, an injury that could keep him out for weeks, if not months. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who missed the first two games of the season recovering from a torn ACL sustained in 2024, is back but still regaining form. Only Will Fries has remained healthy, leaving the Vikings with backups filling 60 percent of the offensive line positions.
The Ripple Effect on the Offense
The impact of these injuries was painfully evident in the loss to the Steelers. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz, stepping in for the injured J.J. McCarthy (who suffered a high ankle sprain, likely exacerbated by poor protection), was sacked six times and faced constant pressure. Despite nearly orchestrating a comeback from a 24-6 deficit, Wentz was under duress throughout the game, unable to find a rhythm. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t mince words: “We had breakdowns in this game. Those breakdowns took us out of our rhythm and prevented us from running the ball and working our play-action passes.”
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Rematch
The statistics tell a grim story. The Vikings converted just four of 14 third-down attempts against Pittsburgh, and they rank as the second-worst team in the NFL in third-and-long situations, only ahead of the New York Jets. The inability to protect the quarterback or open running lanes has crippled the offense, forcing the team to abandon its balanced attack. Even running back Jordan Mason, who has shown flashes of brilliance, struggles to find room when the line fails to create holes.
Outmatched Backups and a Looming Threat
The backups tasked with filling the gaps—center Michael Jurgens and tackle Justin Skule—are willing but overmatched. Against Pittsburgh’s ferocious pass rush, led by defensive tackle Cam Heyward and edge rusher T.J. Watt, the makeshift line was exposed. The situation is unlikely to improve in Week 5, when the Vikings face the Cleveland Browns and their star defensive end, Myles Garrett. Garrett, one of the NFL’s most dominant and relentless pass rushers, is poised to exploit the Vikings’ depleted line, potentially turning the game into a nightmare for Wentz and the offense.
The injury crisis extends beyond the immediate future. Ryan Kelly’s history of concussions—two this season and two in 2023—raises serious questions about his availability. NFL concussion protocols are stringent, and the Vikings cannot risk putting a vulnerable player back on the field prematurely. Brian O’Neill’s MCL injury, while still under evaluation, appears severe enough to sideline him for an extended period. With a brutal stretch of games against the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens looming after the Browns game in London, the Vikings face a gauntlet that could leave them 3-6 by Week 11 when they host the Chicago Bears.
A Test of Coaching and Resilience
The burden now falls on head coach Kevin O’Connell, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips, and offensive line coach Chris Kuper to find solutions. Whether through schematic adjustments, such as quicker passes or additional protection from tight ends and running backs, or by coaching up the backups to perform above their current level, the staff must act swiftly to stabilize the line. Carson Wentz has shown resilience, absorbing punishment while still making plays, but no quarterback can thrive under constant siege. Similarly, Jordan Mason’s ability to create yards despite poor blocking is a silver lining, but it’s not a sustainable strategy.
The Vikings’ front office may also need to explore external options, though the trade market for quality offensive linemen is thin, and the salary cap offers little flexibility. For now, the team must rely on internal adjustments and hope for the speedy recovery of their starters.
A Season on the Brink
The Vikings’ 2025 season was built on the promise of a strong offensive line protecting a young quarterback and enabling a dynamic offense. Instead, an unforeseen “epidemic” of injuries has left the team exposed, with backups struggling to hold the line against elite pass rushers. With a challenging schedule ahead and key players sidelined, the Vikings risk falling out of playoff contention before the season reaches its halfway point.
The team’s resilience will be tested, starting with the daunting matchup against Myles Garrett and the Browns. If O’Connell and his staff can’t find a way to protect their quarterback and restore offensive balance, the Vikings’ season could spiral into a disappointment that no one saw coming.
