Overview
- Minnesota designated the veteran center to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, starting a three-week period to decide on activation.
- Kelly missed five games after suffering concussions in Week 2 and Week 4 and previously had multiple documented concussions in 2023.
- Coach Kevin O’Connell said Kelly handled recent workouts well enough to move to this phase of his recovery.
- Kelly will practice in a Guardian cap as part of the team’s protective measures during his evaluation.
- Blake Brandel has started the past five games at center in Kelly’s absence, while Kelly opened the season with a 72.2 PFF grade and no pressures allowed on 62 pass-blocking snaps.