Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is finally here. Unfortunately, there are already injuries that fantasy managers need to consider before setting their lineups.
This article will be updated throughout the week as we learn who is practicing and their status for Week 1’s games. Be sure to check back in to ensure you are making the most informed decisions for your fantasy team.
Jalen Coker, WR | Out
Jalen Coker went from a big winner in the Adam Thielen trade to being placed on the injured reserve on August 30 with a quad injury. Coker will miss at least four weeks on the injured reserve and could be out for as many as six weeks.
His four-week injury allows Xavier Legette and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders to be fantasy relevant to start the season, especially with Thielen no longer taking up targets in the slot.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB | Out
Marshawn Lloyd continues to struggle with soft tissue injuries to start his NFL career, this time suffering a hamstring injury during the team’s final preseason game. The Packers ultimately put him on the injured reserve for four weeks to heal.
The IR move allows Emanuel Wilson or Chris Brooks to emerge as the backup quarterback behind Josh Jacobs. However, Jacobs is again in line to receive a huge workload without Lloyd on the field.
Joe Mixon, RB | Out
The Texans wasted no time placing Joe Mixon on the Reserve-Non-Football Injury List before the season, which will keep him out for at least four games. Mixon hasn’t practiced at all this summer, and the severity of his ankle injury has not been clear.
Texans’ GM Nick Caserio has refused to give a definitive return timeline, which suggests that Mixon isn’t close to stepping onto the field in 2025. Nick Chubb figures to be the biggest beneficiary early in the season, but players like Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks bear monitoring in fantasy in case they get an opportunity.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR | Out
San Francisco placed Brandon Aiyuk on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start the season as he works his way back from a torn ACL and MCL suffered during the 2024 season. The move guarantees that Aiyuk will miss at least the season’s first four games.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has suggested that he hopes Aiyuk will be ready to return from his knee injury around Week 6, which is the closest thing we have to a timeline.
Jalen McMillan, WR | Out
Jalen McMillan was set to see a solid role to start the season in Tampa Bay before suffering a neck injury in the team’s final preseason game. The injury landed him on the injured reserve with a designation to return later in the season.
McMillan will miss at least the season’s first four games, but reports from team sources indicate he will likely miss closer to nine or 10 weeks. That means rookie Emeka Egbuka will have an even bigger role than anticipated at the start of the season.
Tyjae Spears, RB| Out
Tyjae Spears was placed on the injured reserve with a designation to return on August 26 because of a high-ankle sprain. The move will allow Spears to fully heal and return after Week 4 in the regular season.
Tony Pollard is the biggest beneficiary and will begin the season again with a three-down workload behind a revamped offensive line.
Jalen Royals, WR | Out
Jalen Royals was expected to be the biggest beneficiary of Rashee Rice’s suspension to start the year. Unfortunately, he will not make his debut in Week 1 against the Chargers after the rookie was downgraded to “out” on Wednesday.
This doesn’t appear to be a long-term injury, but it will still cost the rookie a game during the regular season. Xavier Worthy, Hollywood Brown, and Travis Kelce should all benefit from additional targets. Players like Tyquan Thornton and Jason Brownlee become interesting speculative adds in deeper leagues.
Chris Godwin Jr., WR | Out
Tampa Bay didn’t place Godwin on the PUP list so that he could practice with the team, leading to speculation that Godwin could return earlier than expected.
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht put that speculation to bed, stating that Godwin will miss the first month of the season while he gets ramped up to play in 2025. Not putting Godwin on the PUP list ensured that he could practice with the team as he recovers from his injury.
The biggest beneficiary of Godwin’s injury and time missed will be 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, who will now have a locked-in role in two receiver sets and slot duties in 11 personnel.
Isaiah Likely, TE | Out
Isaiah Likely suffered a broken foot that required surgery during the preseason. When it happened, it was expected that Likely would miss 6-8 weeks recovering. The veteran tight end didn’t practice at all heading into Week 1 and was officially ruled out on Friday (9/5).
The Ravens didn’t put Likely on the injured reserve or PUP list, reinforcing their belief that he will return early in the season. Players like Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, and DeAndre Hopkins get a bump in their production, especially in the red zone.
Christian Kirk, WR | Out
Christian Kirk popped up on the injury report on Wednesday, logging a did not practice (DNP) due to a hamstring issue. Kirk was ruled out of the season opener against the Rams on Friday. The hope is that Kirk will miss just Week 1, but there is potential for this to be a multi-week injury.
Kirk’s injury gives the biggest bump to rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Higgins should see more of a target share and will be on the field in two receiver sets, but Noel is also intriguing as a slot weapon in 11 personnel. Both have a chance to be fantasy relevant in Week 1.
Jaylen Wright, RB | Out
Head coach Mike McDaniel stated that Jaylen Wright had a minor procedure done on his leg that will keep the running back out for multiple weeks. Wright’s season isn’t over, but a trip to the injured reserve is on the table, which would knock him out for at least four weeks.
If Wright is out, expect rookie Ollie Gordon II to emerge as a legitimate RB2 as a power complement to De’Von Achane. Given his role and success throughout the preseason, Gordon should move into premium handcuff territory.
Darren Waller, TE | Out
Darren Waller shockingly came out of retirement this offseason to play for the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins had traded away tight end Jonnu Smith, clearing a path for Waller to be on the field.
Unfortunately, Waller missed practice on Wednesday due to a hip injury as he works himself back into game shape. Waller allegedly suffered a setback heading into Thursday’s practice, which make it unlikely that he will play Week 1 against the Colts. He was ruled out on Friday.
Waller’s touches will likely be distributed between Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane, but wide receiver Malik Washington is a sleeper to keep an eye on in deep leagues.
Darnell Mooney, WR | Questionable
A shoulder injury knocked Darnell Mooney out for most of the summer. However, the veteran wide receiver returned to practice last week and is gearing up to make his 2025 debut in Week 1.
Head coach Raheem Morris has deemed Mooney “day-to-day” and insinuated that if Mooney were held out of Week 1’s contest, it would be more due to conditioning and rust than the shoulder injury. That is an excellent sign that Mooney is in good shape heading into the season.
Lamar Jackson, QB | Questionable
Lamar Jackson’s foot was stepped on late in training camp, causing a scare among fantasy managers. However, X-rays and scans were negative, and Jackson was able to return to practice last week.
There is little risk of him missing Week 1’s game or decreasing production. Jackson finished as the QB1 in fantasy points per game in 2024 (25.3) and is ready to try and repeat that performance in 2025.
Khalil Shakir, WR |Questionable
Khalil Shakir missed most of the preseason with a high-ankle sprain suffered on August 1. He had plenty of time to heal and returned to the practice field at the end of August. He expects to be on the field for Week 1’s matchup against the Ravens.
Marvin Mims Jr., WR | Questionable
Marvin Mims Jr. missed practice time toward the end of August with a groin injury. The injury was not serious, and the veteran receiver was back on the field this week to prepare for Week 1.
Jayden Reed, WR | Questionable
On August 28, it was confirmed that Jayden Reed had suffered a Jones fracture in his left foot. Reed spent much of August in a walking boot, but has been actively practicing and building his stamina for Week 1.
Reed did not practice on Wednesday (9/3) before being upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday (9/4). He is on track to play in Week 1, but be mindful that foot injuries can really impact the effectiveness of wide receivers.
Josh Downs, WR | Questionable
Josh Downs suffered a hamstring injury in the middle of August that sidelined him for the rest of training camp. Head coach Shane Steichen suggested that Downs was on track to practice before Week 1’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Downs did not appear on the team’s initial injury report, suggesting that he is good to go for Week 1 against the Dolphins.
Najee Harris, RB | Questionable
Najee Harris missed most of the summer with a “superficial” eye injury suffered on the Fourth of July. There was almost no news about his condition, the severity of the injury, or whether he would even be able to play this season. At best, Harris spent time in practice walking around the field.
However, the Chargers have officially upgraded Harris to a full participant in practice ahead of Friday’s game against the Chiefs in Brazil.
Chargers listed RB Najee Harris as a full participant in today’s practice, putting him on track to play Friday night in Brazil against the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/yQ7GbK5OAa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2025
Time will tell how much the veteran running back will be able to play, considering how much time he missed, but at this point, he will be on the active roster.
Tyreek Hill, WR | Questionable
It has been a tumultuous offseason for Tyreek Hill, culminating in an oblique injury that kept him off the field for most of training camp. Hill was able to take part in practice on 9/1, suggesting that he will be on the field for Week 1’s matchup against the Colts.
De’Von Achane, RB | Questionable
De’Von Achane missed most of the preseason with a calf injury, but returned to practice on 9/1. Head coach Mike McDaniel has stated that Achane is set to play Week 1 unless he suffers a setback. The running back has been limited all week, indicating that he is ready to go in Week 1.
Calf injuries are notoriously easy to aggravate, so stashing backup Ollie Gordon II is a smart move if he is available in your league.
Justin Jefferson, WR | Questionable
Justin Jefferson missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, but was able to work his way back into practice toward the end of August. The veteran receiver is on track to play against the Bears in Week 1.
Jefferson has a history of hamstring issues, so expect him to be handled cautiously throughout the season.
Stefon Diggs, WR | Questionable
Stefon Diggs played in just eight games in 2024 due to a torn ACL. The veteran receiver has been able to participate in practice throughout the summer, but didn’t take part in any contact periods or preseason games.
Head coach Mike Vrabel stated this week that he expects Diggs to make his 2025 debut in Week 1 against the Raiders. Time will tell how involved Diggs is in the game plan, but if he’s fully cleared, he should instantly become the Patriots’ top target earner in 2025.
Malik Nabers, WR | Questionable
Malik Nabers missed time in training camp due to toe, shoulder, and back issues. The second-year receiver was able to return to practice before the end of August and is set to play Week 1.
He may require maintenance throughout the season (especially with the toe injury), but his production shouldn’t significantly drop. Nabers will frequently appear on the injury report, but it seems like the team understands they will need to monitor his practice usage.
Jauan Jennings, WR | Questionable
Jauan Jennings returned to practice on 9/1 after missing 36 days with a calf injury. Jennings missed the entire training camp and has yet to participate in a padded practice this offseason.
If Jennings is healthy, he should step into a significant role in the offense with Aiyuk still working his way back from his 2024 ACL/MCL injury and Deebo Samuel no longer on the team.
Rachaad White, RB | Questionable
Rachaad White suffered a groin injury early in training camp but is expected to practice and be ready to play in Week 1’s matchup against the Falcons.
In 2025, White will reprise his role as the pass-catching complement to Bucky Irving in the Tampa Bay offense.
Keon Coleman, WR | Questionable
Keon Coleman was surprisingly added to the injury report on Wednesday, logging a limited practice thanks to a groin issue.
Coleman is expected to be a major contributor in Buffalo’s passing attack this offseason, so a pop-up mid-week injury is less than ideal. There is no indication that he will miss Week 1’s game, but keep an eye on his practice status on Thursday and Friday.
Christian McCaffrey, RB | Questionable
It looked like Christian McCaffrey’s injury woes were behind him after a healthy offseason. Unfortunately, McCaffrey was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice on 9/4 before logging a DNP on Friday (9/5).
McCaffrey insisted that he will play on Sunday when meeting with the media, but fantasy managers have a right to be skeptical after 2024. If McCaffrey is ruled out, then Brian Robinson Jr. and Isaac Guerendo would be set to split the backfield in his absence.
Check to see if either player is on the waiver wire now to have an insurance policy if the 49ers are cautious with McCaffrey during Week 1.
