Injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of football. As a result, fantasy football managers have to navigate this minefield. With the preseason wrapping up this week and the two biggest fantasy draft weekends upon us, it’s important to know which players are dealing with injuries. We cover every fantasy-relevant injury throughout the NFL.
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love underwent a minor procedure for an injury to his left hand. It is not a concern, and he is already back practicing. If he were to miss any time, Malik Willis would start, which would be a significant downgrade for the Green Bay Packers’ receiving options.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
Matthew Stafford is recovering from an aggravated disc in his back. While the Los Angeles Rams are holding him out of preseason action as a precaution, the expectation is that he will be ready for Week 1. He was able to practice in full all week, which is a very encouraging sign.
“Everything I can possibly due.”#Rams QB Matthew Stafford is in a good place.
pic.twitter.com/NMW6HHHBKA— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2025
If Stafford’s back flares up or he misses time, veteran Jimmy Garoppolo is set to fill in.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane is sidelined with a mild calf strain. The team has downplayed the severity and expects him to be ready for Week 1, but he will miss the remainder of the preseason. Should Achane not recover by opening day, Jaylen Wright and rookie Ollie Gordon would likely split duties.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III is managing an ongoing foot issue that has plagued him for much of his career. The team has strategically held him out of practices to protect him, but there are no concerns that he won’t be ready for the opener. Walker returned to multiple full practices this past week.
If Walker is limited or out, Zach Charbonnet would be a workhorse. As things currently stand, he may have a bigger role than he has had while Walker has been healthy in previous years anyway.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Joe Mixon has not practiced at all in camp due to a lingering non-football foot injury. His status for Week 1 is in serious jeopardy. Nick Chubb figures to be the early down replacement, but he has looked sluggish, and rookie Woody Marks could see more touches if Mixon’s absence extends into the regular season.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is currently out with an ankle sprain sustained early in August. It’s expected to cost him the rest of the preseason, but he should be available for Week 1 barring setbacks. If Stevenson sits, Antonio Gibson would fill his role while TreVeyon Henderson remains the satellite back.
Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
Cam Skattebo strained his hamstring early in training camp and has not gotten many reps. However, he returned to practice last week and played in the Giants’ final preseason game.
Cam Skattebo’s first carry and listen to Elijah Chatman on his block from fullback! pic.twitter.com/EsZ6535Rsi
— Talkin’ Giants (@TalkinGiants) August 22, 2025
The rookie Day 3 pick was supposed to push Tyrone Tracy Jr. for the RB1 role. While that still may be the case, he is now quite a bit behind. Fantasy managers who draft Skattebo likely won’t be able to start him for a few weeks.
Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Jaydon Blue hurt his hamstring in joint practices and is working his way back into action. He is fully expected to be ready for Week 1. Blue needs the practice to gain a foothold in this backfield, but given the competition, or lack thereof, from Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, Blue has a ton of upside in one of the league’s best offenses.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
Despite his legal case not moving forward, Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned as the Cleveland Browns may be waiting for the NFL to complete its investigation, suggesting the rookie may still face discipline.
Jerome Ford is the projected starter, with rookie Dylan Sampson ready to carve out an increasing role as the season progresses.
Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rachaad White suffered a groin strain in the preseason opener and remains day-to-day. White is not expected to miss the start of the season, but he does not have a fantasy-relevant role regardless. Bucky Irving is the clear RB1, and if he were to miss time, Sean Tucker is the handcuff you want. Do not draft White under any circumstances.
Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James, RBs, San Francisco 49ers
Ironically, the healthiest member of the San Francisco 49ers backfield is Christian McCaffrey. Isaac Guerendo is dealing with a shoulder injury and Jordan James a hand issue.
Guerendo returned to practice last week, but was wearing a shoulder brace. He is not a lock to be ready for Week 1, but shouldn’t be out much longer beyond that if he does miss the game.
McCaffrey is set for a heavy early-season workload. Ke’Shawn Vaughn was the healthiest back behind CMC for a few days until the team traded for Brian Robinson Jr. We know Kyle Shanahan doesn’t typically utilize a committee. If CMC were to miss time, Guerendo should still be viewed as the handcuff, but that grip is far more tenuous now with Robinson in town. He is at least the RB3, if not the RB2.
Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson is dealing with a mild hamstring strain. He’s being rested throughout training camp, but the Minnesota Vikings are confident about his Week 1 availability. With Jordan Addison set to be suspended for the first three games, T.J. Hockenson could be in line for a hefty early-season target share.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Malik Nabers missed two weeks of practice with a minor back injury and is also managing a longtime toe issue. Neither is expected to threaten his Week 1 status. He returned to activity earlier this week and looks ready to go. If he misses any time, Darius Slayton is his direct backup.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown has been sidelined by a mild hamstring strain, similar to the one he sustained in Week 2 of the 2024 season. He is fully expected back for Week 1. DeVonta Smith would be the WR1 if Brown can’t go, with Jahan Dotson in the WR2 role. However, as we saw last year, Brown’s absence means more targets for Dallas Goedert as opposed to any wide receivers behind him.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith has been out of action with a minor groin issue. In the preseason, any little thing is going to be treated with the utmost caution. Smith is not currently at risk of missing Week 1.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers’ rookie wide receiver is dealing with a minor hamstring strain. Tetairoa McMillan is expected to be held out of the team’s final preseason game, but should be ready for Week 1. If McMillan missed any games, Jalen Coker could be thrust into a starting role.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
It’s been a rough offseason for Tyreek Hill as he tries to repair his relationship with the Miami Dolphins after saying he was done with the team out of frustration. Recently, he’s missed practice with an oblique strain.
Hill should be ready for Week 1, but we have serious concerns about his focus level, rapport with Tua Tagovailoa, and the potential for production decline at age 31. Jaylen Waddle could end up being the leading receiver on this team. Malik Washington is the WR3.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter suffered an upper-body injury in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first preseason game. The team called his absence strictly precautionary. He’s expected to be fully ready for Week 1. If Hunter is limited, Parker Washington or Dyami Brown would play in two-receiver sets.
Jauan Jennings, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Jauan Jennings has dealt with a nagging calf injury this preseason, but it’s entirely possible the real reason for his absence is his contract situation. With Brandon Aiyuk set to miss at least the first month of the season, Ricky Pearsall is pretty locked in as the team’s WR1. George Kittle could also be in line for significant usage.
Stefon Diggs, WR, New England Patriots
Stefon Diggs is recovering from a torn ACL. He is ahead of schedule and on track to play in Week 1. At 31 years old, Diggs does not need to play in the preseason. He is set to serve as the team’s WR1 with DeMario Douglas and potentially rookie Kyle Williams as the next two options.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills
Khalil Shakir is sidelined with a high ankle sprain, causing him to miss multiple practices and the entire preseason. He is tentatively expected to be ready for Week 1, but it is not a guarantee. Joshua Palmer is poised to be the primary X receiver, with Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore possibly seeing more snaps if Shakir can’t go.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Darnell Mooney is dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him out since late July. He remains week to week and could open the year on the sidelines. Head coach Raheem Morris was extremely vague about Mooney’s return, stating he would be back “this year.” If Mooney is out, Ray-Ray McCloud or KhaDarel Hodge will play in two receiver sets.
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed is nursing a sprained foot and has been in a walking boot this preseason. His Week 1 status is uncertain. If Reed sits, Dontayvion Wicks would be elevated to a more prominent role with Matthew Golden and Romeo Doubs as the top two options.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs recently suffered a hamstring strain and has not returned to practice yet. His Week 1 availability is unclear. Michael Pittman Jr. would absorb even more targets, with Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell joining him in two-receiver sets if Downs misses time.
Hollywood Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Hollywood Brown has yet to play in the preseason due to an ankle injury. Fortunately, he has already returned to practice and looks ready to go.
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston sustained a concussion in the Los Angeles Chargers’ second preseason game. He will obviously miss time and not play in the preseason finale, but with nearly three weeks between the diagnosis and Week 1, he should clear the protocol in time. Rookies Tre Harris and Keandre Lambert-Smith are competing for WR3 duties behind Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen.
Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin remains out after multiple ankle surgeries and hasn’t practiced all camp. However, he will not start the season on the PUP list, as the team felt good enough about his recovery to activate him.
Sources: Buccaneers plan to activate WR Chris Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on their 53-man roster to start the season, but only to begin his ramp-up process for games, not to immediately play in them. Godwin still is unlikely to play until October… pic.twitter.com/zGaaVeTRYc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2025
While Godwin is still going to miss the start of the season, the lack of news suggested he might be out into November. That now seems unlikely. Rookie Emeka Egbuka is expected to start opposite Mike Evans. Still, Godwin should be back sometime in October, putting a wrench in the plans of fantasy managers looking to draft Evans and Egbuka early.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk continues to rehab from ACL and MCL surgery and has not yet practiced. He’s going to open the season on the PUP list, but is expected to be out beyond the minimum five games required. Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings (if healthy and/or extended) will be the top receiving options to open the year.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Rashee Rice has dealt with a minor groin tweak during training camp, but that is not a concern. What is a concern is his upcoming suspension. Currently, he’s slated to play the first four games before his hearing on September 30. That would have his suspension start anywhere from Week 5 onward, depending on how long a decision takes.
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There is also still a possibility Rice and the NFL reach an agreement before Week 1, which would allow Rice to serve his suspension to open the season.
As things currently stand, there’s a ton of uncertainty. Xavier Worthy will be the WR1 with Hollywood Brown as the WR2 during Rice’s absence. When that will be remains unknown.
