The only way to properly prepare for football is to play football! Every season, we see injury rates go up at the beginning of the season as players re-acclimate to football shape. This year is no different. Training camp injuries happen every year, and every year, the first big player to be reported injured causes a major reaction from the football community. This season, it was Justin Fields’ toe dislocation that caused a stir, followed by Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury. Who will suffer the next training camp injury? And how will the training camp injuries that have already occurred affect each player’s 2025 outlook? Below, we will break down the key fantasy-relevant players who have been injured and what to expect. Be sure to check out the Fantasy Injury Team Draft Injury Guide! Available now.
Justin Jefferson
Injury: Left Hamstring Injury
Analysis: Jefferson will miss some time with a LEFT hamstring injury. We all remember 2023 when he missed 7 games with a RIGHT hamstring injury. The current injury is described as minor and does not appear to threaten week 1, but needs to be considered going forward. Hamstring injuries have a 20-30% recurrence rate, making it much more likely that Jefferson injures his left hamstring during the season now. Jefferson is elite, and still should be a top pick in fantasy this season despite an elevated injury risk.
Justin Fields
Injury: Toe Dislocation
Analysis: Fields dislocated a toe on his right foot, but has already returned to practice. He did not dislocate his big toe, which is critical here. The lesser toes can be tapped together for stability, and the foot can function well, whereas the big toe could create a big problem with running and push-off for throw power. Future dislocations are possible, but not a huge concern right now.
Joe Mixon
Injury: Foot Injury
Analysis: Mixon continues to rehab a foot injury that he initially sustained during offseason workouts. The exact date of injury is unclear, but it has been months now since the onset of his injury, and his week 1 status is threatened. A foot injury keeping him out this long increases the risk that it will recur throughout the season. If you look at Mixon’s injury profile, even before this most recent foot injury, he was ranked “high risk” due to his age, past injury history, and total touch volume. Add another lengthy injury to a foot that must withstand immense loads and provide ample stability during football moves, and Mixon is becoming less and less reliable for fantasy this season.
Matthew Stafford
Injury: Back Soreness
Analysis: Stafford will miss a chunk of camp due to back soreness. This is not surprising for Stafford, who we have ranked as “high risk” for injury. During a throw, the upper back, hips, and ankles should be doing most of the rotation to create torque for throwing, but the low back can assist some, and the low back does some extending and bending as well. When soreness is present, the ability to create enough motion to power the ball can be impacted. Soreness like this is more common in older players who have a long injury history, like Stafford. While this is a burden, at present, this likely will not impact his week 1 status.
Darnell Mooney
Injury: Should Injury
Analysis: Mooney will be out a while with a shoulder injury. Shoulder injuries do not typically affect a player’s stat line when they return, but depending on the type of injury can lead to recurrence. AC joint injuries and any type of subluxation or dislocation have high rates of recurrence. Atlanta is not telling us exactly what tissue was injured, but we know Mooney hurt his shoulder while diving to make the catch, which puts the AC joint and a subluxation/dislocation as possibilities.
Ricky Pearsall
Injury: Hamstring Injury
Analysis: As of today, Pearsall has been activated off the PUP after dealing with a hamstring injury first reported in May. Two months is a long time to be dealing with a hamstring injury. Sure, it’s July, and San Francisco wants to be careful with their second-year WR, but this raises concern, especially considering Pearsall was already ranked “high risk” for injury due to prior hamstring injuries and shoulder subluxations. Let’s hope Pearsall’s youth can outweigh his injury history and keep him healthy.
Chris Godwin
Injury: Ankle Dislocation
Analysis: Godwin remains on the PUP as he rehabs his ankle dislocation. We know he had a second procedure in the Spring, which is not necessarily a problem, but also is not ideal. This is a very tough injury for a 29-year-old to rehab from and return to elite form. An ankle dislocation surgery often leads to chronic stiffness and loss of strength, and power. The older the athlete is, the harder to regain these components (yes, 28-29 would be considered older here). Tampa paid Godwin this spring, which seemed like a vote of confidence, but I believe it was actually a thank you for your past service. Godwin got paid well before he was far enough along the rehab timeline to have any idea what his final athletic level would look like. Before the ankle dislocation, Godwin had a significant injury history, which is why he is ranked as “very high risk” for injury in 2025. I genuinely hope Godwin can overcome his injury and prove me wrong, but at this time, I am bearish on Godwin in 2025.
Najee Harris
Injury: Eye Injury
Analysis: Harris is still not practicing after suffering a fireworks-related eye injury on the Fourth of July. He is expected to be ready for week 1.
Brandon Aiyuk
Injury: ACL/MCL Injury (week 7)
Analysis: Aiyuk remains on the PUP as he continues to rehab from a week 7 ACL/MCL injury. He should return early this season, but historically, WRs see a 28% dip in fantasy points per game in the first season after an ACL tear. Additionally, re-tear rates and rates of hamstring, calf, groin, and quad injuries are high in year 1 after an ACL. All of these factors make Aiyuk “high risk” for injury whenever he does return.
Will Levis
Injury: AC Joint Surgery
Analysis: Levis injured his right AC joint last season and dealt with several re-aggravations. He attempted to rehab in the offseason, but ultimately, as he ramped up throwing, it was determined he needed surgery. AC joint repairs are a 5-6 month rehab.
Christian Watson: ACL Injury
Injury: ACL Tear (week 18)
Analysis: Watson tore his ACL in week 18, which makes it extremely difficult to be ready for week 1. He is on the PUP as expected and likely will miss several weeks. Like Aiyuk listed above, it would be naive to expect a big season out of Watson this year. Watson has an extensive injury history and, all things considered, is “very high risk” for injury when he returns.
Luther Burden
Injury: Undisclosed soft tissue injury
Analysis: The Bears’ rookie has been absent from camp as he deals with an undisclosed soft tissue injury. Until we have more details, it’s difficult to make an analysis of this injury and its impact. Before this injury, Burden’s record is clean, which is why he is listed as “very low” risk for injury. Obviously, if this turns out to be a notable injury, that ranking will update.
Jacob Cowing: Hamstring Injury
Injury: Hamstring Injury
Analysis: Cowing, like most of San Francisco’s receivers, is out currently with a hamstring injury. Hamstring injuries have a 20-30% recurrence rate; this will increase Cowing’s risk for future hamstring injuries.
Jerome Ford
Injury: Undisclosed
Analysis: Ford is missing time in camp with an undisclosed injury, but is not expected to miss much more time. Ford has a history of mild injuries, which puts him at “medium risk” for injury in 2025.
Treylon Burks
Injury: Clavicle (Collar Bone) Fracture
Analysis: Burks unfortunately broke his collarbone. Most NFL players miss at least three months but can return in as short as 6-8 weeks. Reports suggest Burks will be on the shorter end, but it is still too early to know.
Kenny McIntosh: ACL Tear
Injury: ACL Tear
Analysis: McIntosh is believed to have torn his ACL. This would end his season.