Pro Bowl center's NFL future in jeopardy after sixth concussion of career

Aaron Jones spoke after the Minnesota Vikings beat the New York Giants 16-13.

Pro Bowl offensive lineman Ryan Kelly’s career could be in jeopardy after he was placed on injured reserve for his third concussion this season.

Kelly, 32, played eight games with the Minnesota Vikings this season, but the third concussion in 2025 marked the sixth of his career, possibly putting his NFL future in question, according to ESPN.

The center suffered the injury when he collided with New York Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke in Week 16. Kelly was wearing a Guardian Cap for an extra layer of protection.

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Ryan Kelly of the Minnesota Vikings participates in warmups before a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

"Ryan Kelly more than likely will be out this week. He's doing well, where his symptoms and things are at. Obviously, disappointed that it happened," Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said. 

"And going back and taking a look at, not only the play, but the sequences during the play, after play, if there was anything we could have avoided in there. But, no, just part of the game. And Ryan knows that.

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Medical staffers look at Ryan Kelly (78) of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of a game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium Dec. 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (Elsa/Getty Images)

"So much respect for Ryan as a player and the way he took the amount of time he did and was fighting to get back on the field and felt ready to go. And we were holding back a little bit beyond that. And then, when he returned to