The NFL preseason sidelined several stars with injuries to start the 2025 season, as players were placed on injured reserve (IR) or their team’s Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP). Players on IR or PUP must miss at least four weeks, so here’s a look at some of the top players who are eligible to make their season debut in Week 5.
Who Are The Top NFL Players Eligible to Return from IR and PUP in Week 5?
After four weeks of the 2025 NFL season, several stars are eligible to return from the IR and the PUP lists. It’s important to note that while these players are eligible to play in Week 5, some may not be healthy enough to take the field just yet.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in the preseason and was placed on IR by the Tennessee Titans. He’s eligible to play in Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.
While there hasn’t been much news on his status, his expected four- to six-week recovery timeline has passed, making it likely he’ll be activated for the game.
Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers
Coker suffered a quad strain in the preseason and has not played for the Panthers in 2025, starting the year on IR. Carolina lists him as week-to-week, but barring any setbacks, he is expected to be cleared to play in Carolina’s Week 5 game against the Dolphins.
Maxwell Hairston, CB, Buffalo Bills
The Bills selected Hairston in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Still, he has yet to play for the team after suffering an LCL injury in training camp. He is eligible to come off IR this week. With the Bills gradually ramping up his practice reps, he is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 5 against the Patriots.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
Lloyd was expected to play a role in Green Bay’s offense this season, but he suffered a hamstring injury in a preseason game and was placed on IR. Reports indicate he should be ready to return in Week 6, as the Packers have a bye in Week 5.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Fransico 49ers
Aiyuk was placed on the 49ers’ PUP list to start the season while recovering from a torn ACL and MCL suffered in 2024. Although he’s technically eligible to return in Week 5, 49ers GM John Lynch recently stated that the wideout is “not close” to returning.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans
Mixon was placed on the Texans’ non-football injury (NFI) list to start the season after suffering an ankle injury during a private offseason training session. While technically eligible to return this week, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has made it clear that the veteran running back is expected to miss a significant portion of the 2025 season.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans
Dell suffered a torn ACL and MCL, along with a dislocated kneecap, late in the 2024 season and was placed on the Texans’ PUP list to start the year. Given the severity of his injury, he is expected to miss most of the 2025 season, so he is unlikely to be activated off the PUP list this week.
Other Players Eligible for a Week 5 Return
While the players above are some of the stars eligible to come off the IR and PUP lists this week, here are some other players around the league who could be elevated off the IR in Week 5.
- C.J. Ham, FB, Minnesota Vikings
- Jason Sanders, K, Miami Dolphins
- Jahlani Tavai, LB, New England Patriots
- Jonathan Mingo, WR, Dallas Cowboys
- Foster Moreau, TE, New Orleans Saints
- David Bell, WR, Cleveland Browns
