Vikings Announce Major Roster Shake-Ups

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J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings.

The Minnesota Vikings just announced a flurry of roster moves ahead of their border battle with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

C Ryan Kelly Will Play in Week 12 vs. Packers

GettyVeteran C Ryan Kelly will return to the Vikings’ lineup for Week 12 at Lambeau Field.

For the first time in 2025, the Vikings’ expensive offensive line will be at full strength on Sunday. Center Ryan Kelly rejoins the lineup for the first time since Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin.

Kelly was placed on injured reserve after suffering concussions in Week 2 and 4. These were the 4th and 5th documented concussions of his nine-year NFL career to this point.

ESPN‘s Kevin Seifert detailed the return of the center:

Kelly, who signed a two-year $18 million contract with the Vikings in March after spending his first nine seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, has suffered a total of five documented concussions since entering the NFL. The Vikings diagnosed him with concussions during their games in Weeks 2 and 4 this season before placing him on injured reserve. He has played a total of 113 snaps in 2025.

Seifert also notes that Kelly will be wearing a new helmet model and is likely to wear a guardian cap during the game. The team created the active roster spot for the center by waiving CB Dwight McGlothern, who is now back on the team.

CB Dwight McGlothern Returns, Active for Week 12

GettyDwight McGlothern #6 of the Minnesota Vikings during warm-ups before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The undrafted free agent in 2024 makes his return to Minnesota. The Vikings re-signed the corner after waiving him to make a spot for Ryan Kelly. Now, McGlothern is back, and will be active on Sunday against the Packers.

Per a post on the Vikings’ official X account, McGlothern was re-signed by the team and elevated to the active roster. This is good news, considering the Vikings only had three corners on the active roster after he was waived.

The Vikings’ secondary may be in for some extra help as well. The Packers have many wide receivers on their injury report for Week 12.

Minnesota did have to make a roster move in order to bring McGlothern back, and that’s exactly what they did.

RB Cam Akers Released by Vikings

David Berding/GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 20: Cam Akers #27 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during warmups before a game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

For the third time in his career, Cam Akers departs the Minnesota Vikings. Akers was expendable, seeing as the Vikings have a full runningback room and needed a corner in the 53rd sport instead of a fourth runningback.

It is likely after all is said and done, though, that Akers finds his way back to the Vikings as he seemingly always does sooner rather than later.

Until then, Minnesota will have Ryan Kelly back, and four cornerbacks on the active roster in a must-win game. That is, if the Vikings want to even consider making the playoffs.

Brevan Bane Brevan Bane is a sports scribe covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals. Brevan began his writing career by making a platform on Twitter and leveraging his presence into writing and content creation opportunities for outlets like PurplePTSD, Vikings Territory, The Noise, Hockey Wilderness, and the VikesNow YouTube channel. You can follow him on X @brevmanbane. More about Brevan Bane