Fantasy football managers know the drill: injuries can derail even the most carefully crafted rosters. With several key players already sidelined on injured reserve or suspended, understanding who’s out and for how long becomes crucial for navigating the early weeks of the 2025 season.
Here’s your complete guide to the fantasy-relevant players currently unavailable and what it means for your lineup decisions.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. was placed on IR on Monday, but he won’t be returning this season. While the exact extent of his injury is still being determined, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Penix aggravated an existing bone bruise and knee sprain while also suffering damage to the ACL in his left knee, the same one in which he had already had the ACL reconstructed twice previously during his college days.
Veteran QB Kirk Cousins will lead the Falcons for the remainder of a lost season.
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray was placed on IR on Nov. 5 due to a mid-foot sprain and will be sidelined until at least Week 14. Head coach Jonathan Gannon implied Tuesday, however, that Jacoby Brissett, who has taken over in Murray’s absence, will most likely maintain the starting QB job so long as he stays healthy and continues to direct a productive offense.
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati BengalsÂ
Once again, the Cincinnati Bengals fans were shaking their heads as their star quarterback, Joe Burrow, suffered another long-term injury in Week 2 after the team had finally gotten off to a good start.
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He was initially projected to miss at least three months, but there is now optimism he may be ready to return for the Bengals’ Thanksgiving Day division showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow participated fully in Monday’s practice, another good indication he may be returning Thursday slightly ahead of schedule.
Carson Wentz, QB, Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings made a QB change out of necessity, and now the veteran, Carson Wentz, who had taken over for the Week 1 starter, J.J. McCarthy, underwent season-ending surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder with a torn labrum and a fractured socket.
JK Dobbins, RB, Denver Broncos
It seems the only chance Denver Broncos RB JK Dobbins has at playing again this season is if they happen to make the Super Bowl. And the Broncos do have a decent shot to get there, sitting at 9-2 with a healthy 2-game lead in the AFC West.
Dobbins was officially placed on IR Saturday, but is slated to miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing surgery on his foot, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. RJ Harvey should step up in his absence, though Jaleel McLaughlin will factor in occasionally as well.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Rookie running back Omarion Hampton injured his ankle in Los Angeles’ Week 5 game against the Washington Commanders and has been placed on injured reserve, meaning he is eligible to return. Head coach Jim Harbaugh previously indicated he won’t be back until at least Week 13. We are now at that point and will have to wait and see if the Chargers open the rookie’s practice window this week.
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Kimani Vidal has taken over the lead-back role in Hampton’s absence.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals suffered another blow to their running back room with the news that RB Trey Benson would be placed on IR in addition to James Conner, who was ruled out for the season the week prior. Benson injured his meniscus in Week 4, leading to a trio of backups taking over the past several games.
Given that Benson practiced last week and his 21-day practice window to return has now officially opened, it seems likely he will play Sunday against Tampa Bay.
Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints RB Kendre Miller suffered a torn ACL in the Saints’ Week 6 loss to the Chicago Bears, meaning he will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Alvin Kamara’s stock has increased again, with backup rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal mixing in behind him.
Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
New York Giants rookie RB Cam Skattebo suffered a dislocated ankle in the Week 8 loss to their divisional foes, the Philadelphia Eagles. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, he underwent surgery that same night and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season. Tyrone Tracy has stepped into the lead RB role again, with Devin Singletary mixing in as well.
Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Najee Harris suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his team’s Week 3 win over the Broncos. He will, of course, miss the remainder of the season, meaning Hampton’s stock value increased exponentially until he landed on IR in Week 4 as well. Third- and fourth-string RBs Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins have had their chance to shine now for L.A.
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington CommandersÂ
Unfortunately, Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Washington’s Week 2 game and will now miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt had his chance to take over the backfield, but failed to prove himself worthy. Chris Rodriguez will now serve as the lead back.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers
The Packers also placed MarShawn Lloyd on IR, where he has spent nearly all of his young career. No surprise, Josh Jacobs has been the workhorse here, and his stock value has increased while Lloyd has been sidelined. No one is getting consistent carries besides Josh Jacobs while Lloyd has been out.
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Head coach Matt LaFleur provided an update before Week 10 that Lloyd recently headed to the West Coast to continue his rehab program. But there is still no official timeline for his return, as Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers’ website reported.
Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans (NFI)
Joe Mixon was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list back on Aug. 26. Details of how the injury occurred have not been shared publicly, and there is some doubt whether he will suit up this season.
There was a report last week that Mixon would not play in 2025, but Mixon himself refuted the claim, asking how anyone could know more about his recovery than he did.
James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner injured his ankle in Week 3’s loss to the 49ers severely enough to require season-ending surgery. Michael Carter, Bam Knight, and Emari Demercado have shared the backfield duties for Arizona, but Knight has been the main guy and will continue to be so until Trey Benson returns.
Miles Sanders, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys’ running back Miles Sanders went down with a knee injury that will require season-ending surgery. With Jaydon Blue failing to impress, Malik Davis is the complementary back to Cowboys starter Javonte Williams.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Garrett Wilson was placed on the Injured Reserve list before the New York Jets’ Week 11 Thursday night loss to their division rival, the New England Patriots. Given the timing, he will need to miss at least two more games before potentially returning, a move his head coach, Aaron Glenn, believes he will do in 2025.
Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III could potentially be worth picking up off the waiver wire in Wilson’s absence. Still, it may not be worth the risk, as the Jets’ passing attack has been anemic for most of the season.
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay PackersÂ
Jayden Reed went down with a fractured collarbone in the Packers’ Week 2 win over Washington. The expected recovery timeline was 6-8 weeks, but since he is also dealing with a foot injury, we have not yet seen him return to the field for live game action.
But that may change this week. Reed’s 21-day window has been opened, and there is a nonzero chance he returns on Thanksgiving. If not, Week 14 looks likely.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter suffered a non-contact right knee injury in practice before Week 10; fortunately, his ACL is intact. But it was significant enough to land him on the IR, and on Tuesday, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced that he would not return in 2025.
In his absence, Parker Washington and newly acquired Jakobi Meyers have served as Trevor Lawrence’s top two options, especially with Brian Thomas Jr. dealing with an injury of his own.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay’s elder statesman, perennial 1,000-yard season receiver Mike Evans, was placed on IR on Oct. 29. He is expected to miss eight weeks after suffering a “clean break” of his collarbone. However, eight weeks would be through the end of the fantasy playoffs, so Tez Johnson and a returning Chris Godwin would be the beneficiaries.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jalen McMillan started the 2025 season on IR, but as of Thursday, he was seen at practice no longer wearing a neck brace, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reported.
News from the Bucs camp suggested that the sophomore wide receiver would be sidelined for at least half the season, if not longer. Veteran WR Sterling Shepard has filled in for McMillan in the WR3 role while he has been out. Emeka Egbuka has been a breakout star filling in for Evans (who is now on IR as well for several more weeks) and Chris Godwin amid their respective injuries.
But Godwin has returned, and Tez Johnson has moved up on the depth chart to be WR3.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans (PUP)
Tank Dell was officially placed on the physically unable to perform list before the start of the 2025 season, meaning he would also miss at least the Texans’ first four contests of the year. There’s significant doubt he returns at all this season, which would be understandable given the fact that he tore his ACL, damaged his MCL, LCL, and meniscus, and dislocated his kneecap.Â
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Houston brought Christian Kirk, Justin Watson, and Braxton Berrios to address his absence and Stefon Diggs’s departure. The team also drafted Iowa State receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds of the draft. Still, Nico Collins has remained quarterback C.J. Stroud’s favorite target.Â
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers (PUP)
Brandon Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 last season against the Kansas City Chiefs and starts the season on the PUP list.
The San Francisco 49ers still have not activated his 21-day practice window, and it appears Aiyuk may not intend to play another game for the franchise even once he is cleared.
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Malik Nabers tore his ACL in Week 4. He will miss the rest of the 2025 season, meaning Wan’Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Isaiah Hodgins will be the Giants’ new primary targets for the foreseeable future.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a dislocated left knee and multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL, in their Week 4 game against the New York Jets. Hill is out for the remainder of the season, and Malik Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine have looked to step up in his absence, while Jaylen Waddle has elevated to the Dolphins’ WR1 as expected (though that isn’t saying much these days).
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams placed tight end Tyler Higbee on the injured reserve list on Wednesday, meaning the earliest he can return is also right in the middle of fantasy playoffs (Week 16). Colby Parkinson stepped up nicely in his absence in the Rams’ blowout win Sunday night over Tampa Bay, to the tune of 4 catches, 41 yards, and a touchdown.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions’ Tight End Sam LaPorta was placed on IR Saturday with a back injury before their game against the Eagles on Sunday night. Head coach Dan Campbell indicated he does not expect LaPorta to return this season.
Brock Wright will be the TE1 for Detroit, with Ross Dwelley also seeing a few reps.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers cannot catch a break when it comes to the injury bug and their pass-catchers. This time, it has hit Tucker Kraft, who suffered a torn ACL in the Pack’s surprising Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Rough timing, too, as Kraft had a career day, racking up 143 yards, seven receptions, and two touchdowns. The Packers will now call upon Luke Musgrave as their primary TE for the rest of the season.
Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins
Darren Waller, the Dolphins tight end, tore his pectoral and was placed on IR back in Week 7. He is now trending toward a return, though.
The Dolphins opened Waller’s practice window on Monday. Even if he doesn’t return in Week 13, it is very plausible he will be back on the field in Week 14.
