Inside The Vikings

Kelly's season over, Hockenson among Vikings out for Xmas battle with Detroit

The Vikings will be very shorthanded when they face the Lions on Christmas afternoon.
Joe Nelson|
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images | Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings will be significantly shorthanded when they face the Detroit Lions on Christmas afternoon, as numerous players are out with injuries for the penultimate game of the season.

We already knew that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) were going to miss the game after suffering injuries in Minnesota's win over the Giants last Sunday, but it's now confirmed that tight end T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) and running back Jordan Mason (ankle) will also miss the game.

Kelly was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Wednesday. It's the result of his third concussion of the season, having been concussed in Minnesota's games in Weeks 2 and 4, respectively. It's the sixth documented concussion of Kelly's career.

Meanwhile, right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) is questionable for the 3:30 p.m. CT kickoff.

Detroit's injury report is littered with questionable players:

  • C Trystan Colon (wrist)
  • DE Marcus Davenport (shoulder)
  • OT Taylor Decker (shoulder)
  • CB Khalil Dorsey (illness)
  • G Christian Montgomery (fibula)
  • DT Alim McNeill (abdomen)
  • RB David Montgomery (illness)
  • DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee)
  • CB Amik Robertson (hand)
  • WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee)

Of those, St. Brown, Montgomery, McNeill, Decker, Davenport, and Robertson are all key players.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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