{"id":498208,"date":"2025-11-04T02:09:15","date_gmt":"2025-11-04T02:09:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/498208\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T02:09:15","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T02:09:15","slug":"mn-vikings-lineman-trying-to-play-again-safety-enters-concussion-protocol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/498208\/","title":{"rendered":"MN Vikings Lineman Trying to Play Again; Safety Enters Concussion Protocol"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"788\" height=\"444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/2025_0908_Vikings_Bears_REG01_0545-scaled-e1762218280724.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium tpd-force-16x9-aspect-ratio wp-post-image\" alt=\"Ryan Kelly - Minnesota Vikings\" decoding=\"sync\" loading=\"eager\"   fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>The Minnesota Vikings shifted their focus Monday, away from a huge win in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/minnesota-vikings\/minnesota-vikings-game-today\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">week 9<\/a> over Detroit, to their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/minnesota-vikings\/minnesota-vikings-game-today\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">week 10 home game<\/a> against the Baltimore Ravens and superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. It will be one of the toughest tasks yet this season for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/brian-flores\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brian Flores<\/a>\u2018 defense, which could be without starting safety Theo Jackson.<\/p>\n<p>Vikings place Theo Jackson in concussion protocol<\/p>\n<p>On Monday, Jackson arrived at TCO Performance Center showing mild concussion symptoms. As a result, the Vikings placed him into concussion protocol, a move head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/kevin-oconnell-2\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kevin O\u2019Connell<\/a> announced to reporters during his day-after-game press conference this afternoon.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Head Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell provides an injury update on Theo Jackson. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QXBHLm1Src\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/QXBHLm1Src<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Vikings\/status\/1985424885292597396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">November 3, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>\u201c[Theo Jackson] came in this morning with some very mild symptoms and we want to be safe, there. So, he will go into concussion protocol and we will see how he can progress throughout the week.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kevin O\u2019Connell<\/p>\n<p>The MN Vikings entrusted much of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/cam-bynum\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Cam Bynum<\/a>\u2018s role in previous seasons, to Jackson, who has impressed those in Eagan since being selected <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JackTh00.htm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">No. 204 overall (6th round)<\/a> in the 2022 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n<p>He\u2019s played in all eight of the Vikings game so far this season, and started six. The 27-year-old has totaled 31 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 recovered fumble so far.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Kelly working way back to Minnesota Vikings lineup<\/p>\n<p>When the Minnesota Vikings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/minnesota-vikings\/minnesota-vikings-news\/ryan-kelly-signing-center-free-agency\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">signed<\/a> Ryan Kelly this offseason, he was a huge part of their plans to reconstruct the offensive line in a way we had not seen during the Kevin O\u2019Connell \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/kwesi-adofo-mensah\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kwesi Adofo-Mensah<\/a> era. Unfortunately, the five starters they were going to roll out in 2025 have yet to play a snap together.<\/p>\n<p>But now, four of those five starters are healthy. The only one still out is Kelly, who has played just three games so far this season, racking up two concussions in the process. After his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/minnesota-vikings\/injury-update-ryan-kelly-injured-reserve-mn-vikings\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">latest head injury<\/a>, which he suffered week  4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in London, was the fifth of his career.<\/p>\n<p>Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/minnesota-vikings\/jj-mccarthy-emotional-mn-vikings-win-lions\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">JJ McCarthy Rides Emotional Roller Coaster After Impossible Vikings Win<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Despite many fans and media members, including myself, suggested Kelly retire following his latest concussion, that doesn\u2019t appear to be in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KellRy00\/gamelog\/2025\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">32-year-old<\/a>\u2018s plans. This week, Ryan Kelly will get back on the MN Vikings practice field, where he will begin to ramp up for an eventual return this season.<\/p>\n<p>O\u2019Connell told reporters on Monday that the Vikings have not yet activated the center\u2019s 21-day practice window, but that will assumedly be coming soon enough. In other words, it may still be weeks (not days), but Minnesota could have its full complement of offensive lineman for the first time all season, sooner than later.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Head Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell expects C.J. Ham to return to practice, while Josh Oliver and Ryan Kelly will start working with trainers on the side field. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FGKjD7f2kG\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/FGKjD7f2kG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Vikings\/status\/1985427208362406285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">November 3, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>\u201cRyan Kelly will also begin some of that side-field work. I don\u2019t really have an update, at this time, [on] opening his [practice] window, or anything like that. But we want to get him started. He seems to be in a good place and we want to see the next part of that process begin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kevin O\u2019Connell<\/p>\n<p>Other MN Vikings injury updates<\/p>\n<p>The head coach also announced the return of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/cj-ham\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CJ Ham<\/a> to practice this week. Finally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/josh-oliver\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Josh Oliver<\/a> will also start working out individually, alongside Ryan Kelly. Aaron Jones <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/minnesota-vikings\/injury-update-mn-vikings-post-lions-win-jones-jefferson-oneill\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">will also ramp up throughout the week,<\/a> after sustaining an AC Joint injury, in hopes of starting vs Baltimore.<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/ryan-kelly\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Ryan Kelly<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/tag\/theo-jackson\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Theo Jackson<\/a> <\/p>\n<p class=\"categories\">More About: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\/category\/minnesota-vikings\/\" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 1rem auto; padding: 1rem 0; border-top: 1px solid #e4e4e4; border-bottom: 1px solid #e4e4e4;\"><a class=\"google-preferred-source\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/www.minnesotasportsfan.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" aria-label=\"Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.\">Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\" alt=\"Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.\" width=\"90\" height=\"28\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 10px;\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Credit: Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings shifted their focus Monday, away from a huge&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":498209,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2073],"tags":[7,233,259,2529,6,8316,23207,234],"class_list":{"0":"post-498208","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-minnesota-vikings","8":"tag-football","9":"tag-minnesota","10":"tag-minnesota-vikings","11":"tag-minnesotavikings","12":"tag-nfl","13":"tag-ryan-kelly","14":"tag-theo-jackson","15":"tag-vikings"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/115488998701361988","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/498208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=498208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/498208\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/498209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=498208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=498208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=498208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}