Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
It’s been a difficult start to the 2025 Minnesota Vikings season, in large part due to the extreme number of roster blows they’ve dealt, either via injury, illness or suspension.
Then, there’s the offensive line, where arguable their most desperate injury issues exist; starting with Christian Darrisaw, who has yet to be active. He continues to recover from season-ending knee surgery in 2024.
Hopes were high that the 2022 first round pick would be ready for the Vikings’ opener in Chicago. That’s not how reality played out, and now Darrisaw enters week three still questionable.
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
In the meantime, week two injuries have caused additional stress in the offensive trenches, newly acquired Ryan Kelly left with a concussion. To make matters worse, so did Darrisaw’s replacement, Justin Skule.
Those departures left an injured JJ McCarthy to finish the second game of his NFL career protected by the Vikings’ third-string left tackle and backup center. Not ideal…
Full Minnesota Vikings starting offensive line at practice Friday
On Friday, however — at the Vikings’ final full practice of the week leading up to their week three contest against the Cincinnati Bengals — the entire starting offensive front was participating at practice. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert was one of the first to spot all five big men, which he reported on Twitter (X).
Vikings C Ryan Kelly and LT Justin Skule, both of whom have been in concussion protocol, were on the practice field today. Doesn’t mean they have been cleared but it’s progress. Christian Darrisaw (knee) was out there as well.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 19, 2025
Of course, both Kelly and Skule are recovering from concussions so there is no guarantee they’ll be available on Sunday. In that same vein, though, this is the best news we could have gotten out of Friday’s practice, if either guy is going to be cleared by noon kickoff, two days from now.
Christian Darrisaw got a full practice in on Wednesday, before receiving a scheduled day off on Thursday. His return Friday was forecasted by the Vikings to reporters. But all week long, there’s been a quiet confidence amongst media that the 2022 first round pick will make his 2025 debut against the Bengals.
Should Darrisaw return, there would be less of a need for Skule to be available, which became an important aspect of this a little while after Seifert’s initial report, when Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell officially ruled both Skule and Ryan Kelly OUT for Sunday, along with McCarthy.
McCarthy, Kelly and Skule are all OUT.
Christian Darrisaw is questionable, per Kevin O’Connell. He was a full participant in practice. https://t.co/sqK4KSqcfQ
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 19, 2025
So unfortunately, week three will not be the first time we get to see the Minnesota Vikings’ projected starting offensive line play together in 2025. The official Friday injury report will drop within the next few hours.
Other injury and absences the Vikings are dealing with
On defense, we are yet to see Harrison Smith (illness) take the field. Linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) didn’t even last a game. Neither did Jeff Okudah (concussion). Beyond those starters, there are a plethora of injuries across the defensive depth chart.
The absences on defense have hurt, no doubt, but the Vikings’ biggest problems in that department have come on offense. We all know about JJ McCarthy’s (ankle) injury, who will now be replaced by Carson Wentz.
But at the skill positions, Jordan Addison still has one game remaining on his three-game suspension, and Aaron Jones (hamstring) just went on injured reserve, where he is obligated to remain for three more weeks.
Mentioned in this article: Christian Darrisaw injury updates Justin Skule Ryan Kelly
More About:Minnesota Vikings