Injuries are an unfortunate but inevitable part of football. As a result, fantasy football managers have to navigate this minefield.
As we approach the first week of the season, it’s important to know which players are dealing with injuries. We cover every fantasy-relevant injury throughout the NFL.
Justin Jefferson, 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, New York Giants
Malik Nabers missed two weeks of practice due to a minor back injury and is also managing a longstanding toe issue. Neither is expected to threaten his Week 1 status.
He returned to activity two weeks ago and looks ready to go. If he misses any time, Darius Slayton is his direct backup.
A.J. Brown, 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 than for any of the wide receivers behind him.
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith missed some practice time 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, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers’ rookie wide receiver dealt with a minor hamstring strain. Tetairoa McMillan was held out of the team’s final preseason game, but should be ready for Week 1. Jalen Coker could be thrust into a starting role if the former Arizona Wildcat missed any games.
Tyreek Hill, 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.
RELATED: Should I Draft Tyreek Hill? Fantasy Outlook for the Dolphins WR in 2025
Hill should be ready for Week 1, but we have serious concerns about his focus level, rapport with QB 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, 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. Notably, it sounds like the 2024 Heisman winner will likely play more offensive snaps than defensive snaps.
Jauan Jennings, 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. Either way, the situation is not good, and, apparently, Jennings may open the season on IR.
If you’ve been listening to Kyle Shanahan describe the Jauan Jennings situation recently, this shouldn’t be a surprise:
It’s very possible that the 49ers will place Jennings on IR this week if there’s no contractual or practice resolution soon.https://t.co/c9aYSj2AJz
— Tim Kawakami (@timkawakami) August 25, 2025
With Brandon Aiyuk set to miss at least the first month of the season, second-year Ricky Pearsall is pretty locked in as the team’s WR1. TE George Kittle could also be in line for significant usage.
Stefon Diggs, 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, Buffalo Bills
Khalil Shakir is sidelined with a high ankle sprain, which has caused him to miss multiple practices and the entire preseason. He is tentatively expected to be ready for Week 1, but it is not guaranteed.
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, Atlanta Falcons
Darnell Mooney has been out with a shoulder injury 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.”
However, the injury never seemed like it would be a long-term issue. Sure enough, Mooney returned to practice earlier this week. If Mooney is out, however, Ray-Ray McCloud or KhaDarel Hodge will play in two WR sets, but Mooney appears on track to play in Week 1.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed is apparently dealing with a Jones fracture in his foot. This injury typically requires 6-8 weeks to return to play and has a high risk of recurrence. Reed probably shouldn’t play to open the season, but he apparently wants to gut it out.
Whether the Green Bay Packers let him remains to be seen. If Reed sits, though, Dontayvion Wicks would be elevated to a more prominent role with Matthew Golden and Romeo Doubs as the top two options.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs missed some time with a hamstring strain but is already back at practice. Barring an aggravation, he will be good to go in Week 1.
Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
Hollywood Brown didn’t play in the preseason due to an ankle injury. However, he’s back at practice and is ready to go for Week 1. With WR Rashee Rice suspended for the first six weeks of the season, Brown could find himself starting in two-receiver sets opposite Xavier Worthy.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Quentin Johnston sustained a concussion in the Los Angeles Chargers’ second preseason game. He will obviously miss time and did 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.
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Marvin Mims Jr. tweaked his groin at last Tuesday’s practice. While that is not great, it doesn’t sound like a big deal. Head coach Sean Payton said Mims will miss a little practice time, but should return to the field on Monday.
If Mims can’t go, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant would see increased snaps. But, in all likelihood, it would mean more targets to TE Evan Engram and the running backs behind clear WR1 Courtland Sutton.
RELATED: Marvin Mims Jr. Injury Update: Should Fantasy Managers Draft the Broncos WR?
Fortunately, it shouldn’t come to this, as the Mims injury sounds minor, and there’s no reason to think Payton isn’t telling the truth about Mims returning on Monday.
Chris Godwin, 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, 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, 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.
Rice accepted a six-game suspension to open the season. He will return in Week 7.
#Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is accepting and will serve a six-game suspension to start the 2025 regular season, per sources.
The NFL and NFLPA are working to finalize the settlement, which will end Rice’s disciplinary limbo and make him eligible to return Week 7 vs. Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/uPcZoCy0OV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 27, 2025
Xavier Worthy will be the WR1 to open the season with Hollywood Brown as the WR2 during Rice’s absence.
