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.
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.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter suffered a non-contact injury to his right knee in Thursday’s practice; fortunately, his ACL is intact. But it was significant enough to land him on the IR, meaning he will miss three more games after being out for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 9 overtime win against the Las Vegas Raiders.
In his absence, Parker Washington and Dyami Brown will have to continue stepping up, and Tim Patrick’s role will likely increase as well.
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 did not participate in any 11-on-11 drills in practice on Monday, but did throw some passes to receivers without facing any defenders.
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers just 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.
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 look to pick up Sterling Shepard if Tez Johnson isn’t available. Chris Godwin may also return in the coming weeks.
Darren Waller, TE, Miami Dolphins
Darren Waller, the Dolphins tight end, tore his pectoral and was placed on IR last Wednesday. He should return this season sometime in Week 13 at the earliest. Out of the guys who fill in for Waller over the next several weeks, only Greg Dulcich has been fantasy-relevant in years past.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie tight end Brenton Strange was placed on injured reserve and is expected to miss at least five weeks due to his quad and hip injury, which includes a ligament tear.
Neither of the Jags’ next two TEs on the depth chart proved to be fantasy relevant in Week 6, with Hunter Long and Johnny Mundt only combining for three receptions total between the two of them again in Week 7. The Jags had their bye in Week 8.
Head Coach Liam Coen reported Monday that Strange’s 21-day practice window will be opened this week, though it remains to be seen if he will be ready to go for Jacksonville’s Week 11 clash with the Los Angeles Chargers.
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. Still, head coach Jim Harbaugh already indicated he won’t be back until at least Week 13. Fellow RB Najee Harris was placed on IR as well.
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Kimani Vidal has taken over the lead back role, especially now that Hassan Haskins has been injured as well.
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.
Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay PackersÂ
Jayden Reed went down with a fractured collarbone in the Packers’ Week 2 win over Washington. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network states that Reed’s expected recovery timeline is 6-8 weeks.
Dontayvion Wicks and Matthew Golden have been stepping up while Reed and Christian Watson are out. At this point, Reed still has not had his 21-day practice window opened yet, though he did hit the rehab field ahead of Week 10.
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.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jalen McMillan started the 2025 season on IR, meaning he technically could have returned for Week 5, but head coach Todd Bowles noted on Oct. 10 that McMillan is still in 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 is out; Emeka Egbuka has been a breakout star filling in for Evans (who now looks to be out several months) and Chris Godwin amid their respective injuries.
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
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.
Texans GM Nick Caserio provided another non-update recently, confirming there is no timetable for Mixon’s return, and they will “take it one day at a time.”
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.
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch updated on Thursday that Aiyuk is getting closer to returning. “He’s better today than he was last week at this time,” he said in an interview on KNBR. The 49ers have not yet opened Aiyuk’s window for activation.
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 Jalin Hyatt will be new starting quarterback Jaxson Dart’s primary targets for the foreseeable future.
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 will step into the lead RB role again, while Devin Singletary should also see some touches.
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.
The Washington Commanders’ rookie and popular sleeper pick, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, will now step up to see the majority of carries. If you’re looking for a stash in deeper leagues, Jeremy McNichols occasionally gets some reps.
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, will undergo season-ending surgery to repair his dislocated shoulder, which includes a torn labrum and fractured socket. McCarthy will return to the lineup for this week’s big divisional showdown against the 5-2 Detroit Lions, who are coming off their bye week.
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 Demercado has been the main guy lately.
Miles Sanders, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys’ running back Miles Sanders went down with a knee injury that will require season-ending surgery. Rookie RB and (popular sleeper draft pick) Jaydon Blue will be the complementary back to Cowboys starter Javonte Williams in the future.
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 will have their chance to shine now for L.A.
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).
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 2023 third-round draft pick Devin Neal mixing in on rare occasions.
