Ryan Kelly, Jonathan Greenard questionable for Vikings’ game vs. Packers

The Vikings listed center Ryan Kelly (concussion) and outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard (left shoulder) as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers.

But head coach Kevin O’Connell said that Kelly’s status is more “procedural.” Kelly has yet to be moved back to the active roster from injured reserve; the Vikings waived cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. on Thursday presumably to make room for that move.

Kelly has been a full participant all three days of practice this week. If he plays, it will mark the first time this season the Vikings have all five members of their projected starting offensive line available.

Right guard Will Fries (knee) was back to full participation after being out Wednesday and limited Thursday. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) was a full participant Friday, too.

Since the preseason, Kelly’s calming presence on both quarterback J.J. McCarthy and the entire offensive line has been lauded.

“The pace, his comfort for the quarterback is something that you feel from the first snap he’s back in there,” O’Connell said Friday. “Just his overall awareness, control, poise at the line of scrimmage. There just seems to be a steadiness.”

Greenard was out Wednesday but a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday.

Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave and safety Harrison Smith took rest days Friday and did not practice.

For the Packers, running back Josh Jacobs (knee) is questionable. He practiced in a limited capacity Friday.

“We’re just gonna see what he can do,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters before practice. “Just talking to him, he’s feeling pretty good, so we’ll see when we get out there.”

Five other players were listed as questionable, too: Wide receivers Matthew Golden (shoulder/wrist), Savion Williams (foot) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf), and defensive linemen Karl Brooks (ankle) and Lukas Van Ness (foot).

Linebacker Quay Walker (neck) is doubtful, and cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and wide receiver Jayden Reed (shoulder/foot) are out.

On his third defensive snap of the day, a Bears first-and-10 in the second quarter, the third-year safety sprinted on a slant into the backfield from where he’d lined up across from Bears tight end Cole Kmet.

He dove for quarterback Caleb Williams’ legs, and Ward said Thursday that Williams saw him at the last-second and managed a “great move” to spin away. Williams picked up seven yards on the scramble.

“There was a kind of a spot there where we felt like we could get him in there and he could create a little disruption for us, and he did that,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores said Tuesday. “It wouldn’t be surprising if his role grows a little bit more. ... He’s certainly gotten better, and he’s earned playing time.”

Ward was also in the backfield on the play when Williams fumbled a handoff to running back D’Andre Swift and the Bears lost 15 yards before recovering.

Ward is a regular contributor on special teams, playing 201 snaps this year. Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said Ward’s “continued to answer the bell” in his third year with the team. Ward was drafted in the third round in 2023.

“I know he wants that play back ... but at the end of the day he still got pressure, got the quarterback off the spot, still resulted in a good play, so it helps us out,” Metellus said.