Vikings — or Somebody — Must Protect Ryan Kelly
The Minnesota Vikings won a truly ugly game against the New York Giants on Sunday. Both teams looked awful, and somehow the 7-8 Vikings managed to replicate the performance of a two-win Giants team. Players dropped like flies in the contest as well, but the most saddening outcome was yet another concussion for Ryan Kelly.
Ryan Kelly’s latest concussion quietly exposes how fragile Minnesota’s offensive structure becomes when the middle of the line collapses.
This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings revamped their internal offensive line. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah went out and signed Will Fries and Ryan Kelly while drafting rookie guard Donovan Jackson. The guards have been mediocre at best, and Ed Ingram has made it look like a terrible move to part with him. Kelly has been a top-three center in football per Pro Football Focus, but that can’t be the vision moving forward.
Ryan Kelly’s Health Suddenly Matters More Than Ever
On Sunday, Kelly bowed out with a concussion. It was the third he has suffered this season, and at least the sixth of his career. He was wearing one of the bubble domes known as a Guardian Cap, but not even that could keep his brain safe.
The 10-year veteran has started all 129 games he has played in the NFL. As the 18th overall pick for the Indianapolis Colts in 2016, he has experienced some serious heights. The four-time Pro Bowl talent has snapped for Andrew Luck, Phillip Rivers, and Matt Ryan. He has shown himself to be among the best at his position multiple times, and the excitement around his addition to the Vikings was warranted.
At 32 years old, though, someone has to step in — the Vikings training staff, Kevin O’Connell, his family, someone. Ryan Kelly hopefully has a long and eventful life. I don’t know what the post-playing career pursuits look like, but at this point, it’s sad to think about the toll that his body has taken.
Repeated head hits have been a topic that the league and doctors have brought to the forefront. Football is an incredibly violent sport. The risk of CTE is very real for players well beyond their playing careers, and potentially well before they ever make it to the professional level.
Minnesota signed Kelly to a two-year contract this offseason. Having him back to anchor whatever version of the offensive line that is present next season would be great. It’s also probably irresponsible and potentially downright sad.
Talking points have been directed towards Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for years. Kelly’s history is more extensive, and you have to feel for him as he weighs his future decisions.
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