Minnesota Vikings receive positive injury news heading into crucial matchup against division rival
It’s a major step forward for the Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings have been dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball, especially in the trenches. They are starting to get healthy, as head coach Kevin O’Connell said edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and center Ryan Kelly will practice on Wednesday.
“Jonathan Greenard will work off to the side today, and we’ll update you guys on kind of where he’s at, moving into tomorrow and Friday, and then Ryan Kelly should be a full participant,” said O’Connell.
Jonathan Greenard and Ryan Kelly will practice on Wednesday
This is a huge win for the Vikings. The Vikings didn’t have either player against the Chicago Bears, and Kelly hasn’t played since the Dublin game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While Blake Brandel has been a pleasant surprise at the center position, there have been some inconsistent snaps, especially in shotgun, that Kelly wouldn’t have as a 10-year veteran.
Adding Kelly to the fold would be huge, and he seems to be taking proper steps to prevent another concussion by using a guardian cap and wearing a new helmet.
“I think the plan, more so than the 21-day window from when we put him on IR to when we activated that window opening up, just making sure that we had exhausted time to where Ryan was essentially banging down the door to get back on the field,” said O’Connell. “And then we wanted to let him go through a full practice week, or at least build up to the type of work that would allow him to feel really good coming into this week, to hopefully then have another good week, and then we can make a determination later this week, but he’s in a great spot.”
Greenard is in a different situation. He injured his shoulder against the Baltimore Ravens, and O’Connell said it’s not likely to be a serious one. He didn’t practice last week, but getting back out there on Wednesday is a great sign. Without Greenard, the Vikings were still solid on defense, as Dallas Turner took a huge step forward.
We will know more about their statuses later this week, but this is a really good sign.
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