Surprise Pops Up on Vikings Week 12 Injury Report
The Minnesota Vikings were probably four days away from fielding a fully healthy offensive line for the first time this season. But on Wednesday, right guard Will Fries began the week on the Week 12 injury report.
A surprise name landed on the Vikings’ Week 12 injury report, creating fresh questions about the offensive line as the team enters a critical stretch.
Fries will now be monitored by fans on Thursday and Friday, hoping to learn a favorable game designation for the lineman before Minnesota’s contest at Green Bay on Sunday.
Will Fries Unexpectedly on Vikings Week 12 Injury Report
It’s a knee malady for Fries.
Fries Does Not Practice Wednesday
Fries did not partake in Eagan on Wednesday. CBS Sports noted, “Will Fries (knee) didn’t participate in Minnesota’s practice walkthrough Wednesday. Fries hurt his calf in practice last week, although it’s unclear if that’s related to his current injury.”
“If the 27-year-old ends up being unable to play in Sunday’s game versus the Packers, Joe Huber would likely start at right guard in his place.”
The injury report specifically referenced Fries’ knee, so it did not seem like an ordinary veteran rest day. On Huber, CBS Sports doesn’t seem to know about Blake Brandel’s versatility and utilization. He’s likely the next man up.
First Mention of Any Injury
One week ago, Fries served as a limited participant in practice, leading up to the game against Chicago. The lineman had a calf issue, but by Friday, Fries was fully good to go and not even Questionable for Week 11.
Then, after Minnesota lost to Chicago, no coach mentioned Fries’ knee, and onlookers did not observe any notable injuries for Fries. So when he showed up on the first injury report of Week 12, some felt blindsided.
Keep in mind, with center Ryan Kelly practicing fully on Wednesday, the Vikings were — perhaps still are? — mere days from fielding their full offseason starting offensive line for the first time this season. The franchise spent big bucks and draft capital to showcase an elite OL fivesome. Due to injuries, the group has not seen the field altogether yet in 2025.
Yes, right when Kelly trended in the right direction, Fries did not practice. Always somethin’.
Blake Brandel if Fries Can’t Go
Thankfully, the Vikings have a sweet contingency plan if Fries’ knee injury lingers. Blake Brandel plays every offensive line position — every single one — and he would presumably be tapped on the shoulder this Sunday to shift from center to guard.
Brandel has hit his groove — rather unexpectedly — in the last month as a starting center, but with Kelly returning, Brandel was on deck to return to the bench. A Fries absence in Week 12 would thrust Brandel right back into action at right guard.
The longtime Viking can play tackle, guard, and center. He’s invaluable.
Vikings’ Offensive Line thru 10 Games
Minnesota’s offensive line, the patchwork version, ranks 12th-best in the NFL through 11 weeks, according to Pro Football Focus.
Zoltan Buday issued the No. 12 ranking this week and explained, “Minnesota’s offensive line provided reliable protection against the Bears, surrendering six pressures and no sacks on 32 dropbacks, resulting in a 90.6 PFF pass-blocking efficiency rating (eighth best).”
“Left guard Donovan Jackson stood out, logging an 82.9 PFF pass-blocking grade. Minnesota’s rookie lineman gave up just one pressure against the Bears. Best player: Christian Darrisaw. Darrisaw has earned an 81.9 PFF pass-blocking grade over the past three weeks, which ranks sixth among left tackles.”
In its purest intended form — Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Brian O’Neill — Kevin O’Connell’s offensive line will likely enter the Top 10 of PFF’s ranking system.
More on Fries
Our Ted Schwerzler wrote about Fries’ situation this week, “The first injury report of week 12 may be one of the healthiest yet. And if there’s a time to get right, I suppose it’s when your season is on the line. There is a wrinkle to the Vikings’ mostly clean bill of health.”
“The Minnesota Vikings spent a considerable amount of money on the offensive line this offseason, as general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah invested heavily in the trenches for the first time since he and KOC took over in 2022. Unfortunately, their reconstructed o-line has yet to play one snap together this season.”
Fries will need at least a limited practice session on Thursday to trend in the right direction for Packers-Vikings on Sunday.
Schwerzler added, “It sure sounded like that was on its way to changing in week 12, when the head coach announced to media that center Ryan Kelly (concussion) was returning to the practice field as a full participant for the first time since week 4. Will Fries was among the multiple veteran free agents signed by the Vikings this offseason and he’s the only starter up front who has played in all ten games so far this season.”
“If Fries’ knee issue forces him to sit out the Packers game, it would force Brandel over to right guard, assuming Kelly does indeed make his return Sunday.”
Fries signed a five-year, $88 million contract with Minnesota in March.
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