Yearly we’re tasked with trying again on the accidents that almost all profoundly impacted our beloved fantasy soccer gamers, then looking forward to see what we’d count on within the upcoming season. These accidents can typically be grouped in clusters with the commonest accounting for related absences and return-to-play projections.
Not this yr.
Whereas mushy tissue accidents proceed to current the largest damage burden, most notably ACL tears and hamstring strains, this yr it’s the distinction within the particular person displays of these accidents that stands out. Operating again Christian McCaffrey and his Achilles woes have been probably the most uncommon amongst them after his 2024 season could possibly be thought-about a complete loss. By no means have been the expectations increased for him, by no means was the manufacturing decrease. The worst half might have been the uncertainty that hovered over his standing till his season resulted in Week 13.
For CMC and others whose season both ended with damage or was considerably impacted by damage, it’s now time to sit up for 2025.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
McCaffrey is maybe probably the most difficult participant to preview for this season on the subject of damage outlook. The character of the accidents he had final season, the cloak of secrecy round his well being standing and restoration course of, and his unicorn-like potential to alter a sport when wholesome mix to permit fantasy gamers to be equal elements terrified and ecstatic about what he’ll — or will not — ship in 2025. The 29-year-old is getting into the territory of anticipated dropoff in efficiency as a result of age, and his previous work quantity when wholesome suggests he is gathered extra mileage than most. However one take a look at his demanding coaching program and health routine coupled together with his focus and work ethic would counsel he may outperform lots of his youthful counterparts.
Here is what we all know:
1. Final yr, McCaffrey was identified with Achilles tendinitis early in coaching camp (later reported to be bilateral) and was held out of preseason work for rehab functions. When Week 1 arrived, he was a shock scratch and went on to overlook eight video games. He returned Nov. 10 in opposition to the Buccaneers, however was clearly nonetheless getting up to the mark. Week 13 was the primary sport during which classic McCaffrey appeared on the sector, lastly shifting just like the pre-injury model of himself. Sadly, in that slip-sliding snow globe of a sport, McCaffrey landed exhausting on the entrance of his proper shin, spraining his PCL and ending his season.
2. This yr, McCaffrey reported to spring OTAs with zero exercise restrictions, after telling reporters in January he was “positively shut” to 100% well being.
3. His first three years within the league, he did not miss a sport with the Carolina Panthers. He did not even miss a apply. It wasn’t till Week 2 of his fourth season (2020) that McCaffrey suffered his first damage, a excessive ankle sprain. It will be the primary of three accidents that season and McCaffrey performed in simply three video games.
4. After a second straight injury-plagued season in 2021, folks started to write down McCaffrey off as out of the blue injury-prone. However he rebounded in 2022, taking part in in all 20 video games (together with three within the postseason together with his new group in San Francisco) and ending with 1,half of 1 mile from scrimmage. In 2023, his first full season with the 49ers, a 27-year-old McCaffrey posted profession highs in speeding yards (1,459) and yards per carry (5.4).
5. McCaffrey has now performed eight NFL seasons. Three of these seasons (2020, 2021, 2024) have seen him play seven or fewer video games. Every of the opposite 5 seasons, he has performed both 16 or 17 video games at elite ranges.
The conundrum is obvious. A wholesome yr means nearly 100% availability for CMC, however an damage yr drops it to lower than 50%. When McCaffrey is wholesome sufficient to play, he’s closely concerned within the sport plan. There seems to be no holding again on his utilization, no matter prior damage. The 49ers moved on from Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell this offseason, leaving 2024 fourth-round decide Isaac Guerendo as the first backup to McCaffrey.
There isn’t a denying that McCaffrey’s damage historical past must be considered, particularly the latest Achilles tendinitis, which is extra reflective of a wear-and-tear impact than his contact PCL damage, for example. However his resilience all through his profession and his restriction-free exercise degree as early because the spring indicators no main issues on the a part of the participant or the group. From a utilization standpoint, it definitely seems each the 49ers and McCaffrey plan to select up the place they left off. The workload alternative might be there for McCaffrey all season. Now the query is, will he be there to soak up it?
Everybody else
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott, Cowboys
Prescott tore his proper hamstring off the bone at its excessive attachment level on the pelvis, ending his 2024 season in Week 9. After present process surgical procedure to reattach and reinforce the hamstring and giving the restore enough therapeutic time, Prescott started aggressively working to get his hip power and mobility again. By April, he declared himself able to play, a sign he’ll be totally collaborating in coaching camp.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Late final season there gave the impression to be a query as as to whether Lawrence would require surgical procedure on his broken left (non-throwing) AC joint. After a giant hit in Week 13 set him again (whereas additionally leading to a concussion), Lawrence did endure surgical procedure in December. Though his exercise remained restricted within the spring, the expectation is for Lawrence to be cleared for coaching camp. He’ll little doubt be wanting to resume throwing to final yr’s rookie standout Brian Thomas Jr. and his new counterpart — this yr’s rookie standout maybe? — Travis Hunter.
Large receivers
Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
Godwin was on tempo for profession highs in 2024, thriving in a high-volume offense whereas lined up often within the slot. After which, identical to that, his season ended with a nasty ankle fracture/dislocation that took the collective breath away from everybody who witnessed it. In any case, Godwin already needed to combat his means again from an ACL/MCL damage three years prior and had simply reached his pre-injury efficiency ranges in 2023. Now he was exceeding even these metrics, solely to see the season slip away. After surgical procedure, it appeared as if Godwin was on monitor together with his restoration, particularly when the Bucs re-signed him to a three-year extension within the offseason. However the first-round draft collection of huge receiver Emeka Egbuka, who performed the vast majority of his snaps out of the slot at Ohio State, hinted at a change within the group’s confidence in Godwin’s standing. There’s a minimum of the specter of uncertainty heading into coaching camp and even an eventual return would include lowered expectations, given the severity of the damage.
Stefon Diggs, Patriots
A late October ACL tear doesn’t essentially set an athlete up for an on-time return the next season, however Diggs is reportedly heading that path. He tore his proper ACL on Oct. 27 (whereas with the Texans) in traditional non-contact style, however by March he was operating full pace and dealing on deceleration and directional modifications. As Diggs has identified, he had six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons previous to this damage, one thing he believed would assist him get seen by different groups. Nicely, the Patriots seen and so they signed him to a three-year deal whereas he was nonetheless recovering, signaling their confidence in his return. It stays uncommon for an athlete to put up pre-injury numbers within the first yr again from ACL reconstruction, however Diggs may benefit from the amount of targets he is more likely to see in New England.
Rashee Rice, Chiefs
Rice suffered a knee ligament damage in Week 4, nevertheless it was not the one everybody presumed it to be. He tore the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), the ligament reinforcing the outer side of the knee joint. It’s much less generally torn than its medial counterpart (MCL), but when the pressure vectors bow the knee outward or towards the again nook, the stress will be sufficient to disrupt it. In Rice’s case, the lateral hamstring tendon additionally required restore, however he was lucky to haven’t any different reported injury contained in the precise knee joint, together with the ACL. In late April, quarterback Patrick Mahomes complimented Rice’s progress, noting he was already operating routes and catching footballs, and coach Andy Reid confirmed Rice as “on monitor to be prepared” for camp. It is truthful to say the timing of his damage early within the season works in his favor on the subject of matching pre-injury efficiency sooner slightly than later.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
Aiyuk tore his proper ACL and MCL final October, however surgical procedure was delayed till November, as is usually the case. This spring, the 49ers reported optimistic opinions from Aiyuk’s surgeon about his progress, however there is no such thing as a official return date in place. Whereas the group has indicated the season opener is a chance, there are quite a few benchmarks to clear beforehand and the 49ers usually are not going to hurry him again. Aiyuk’s standing will doubtless nonetheless be a query mark coming into coaching camp and the way he progresses with soccer exercise might be price intently monitoring. Do not be stunned if he’s eased again into the fold after the season has begun.
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins
Hill informed ESPN’s Lisa Salters earlier than the Dolphins’ Monday night time matchup with the Rams in Week 10 that he had torn a ligament in his wrist and the results have been lingering. Hill was often listed on the damage report all through the 2024 season as a result of his wrist, but he performed in all 17 video games. Not each sport was memorable, as Hill often struggled to make an impression. Typically the wrist seemed to be an element, however different occasions the absence of his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, seemed to be the larger wrongdoer. Whereas the presence of Tagovailoa (who’s now wholesome and anticipated to begin the season on time) can’t be assured, the wrist ought to not be a problem after Hill underwent surgical procedure to restore the injured ligament within the offseason. Coach Mike McDaniel informed reporters on the NFL mix that passing drills have been off limits till the summer time, however Hill has been working on the facility and is anticipated to be cleared for camp.
Christian Watson, Packers
Watson tore his proper ACL in Week 18, a devastating damage in its personal proper made worse by the timing so late within the season. With solely seven months between damage and the beginning of camp, it seems doubtless Watson’s return might be someday after the season is underway. In any case, that is an athlete who was stricken by repeated hamstring accidents early in his profession, to the purpose he sought professional recommendation from researchers on the College of Wisconsin, who have been learning this precise matter. In 2024, he seemed to be doing properly in that regard with no missed time as a result of hamstring points. Now, as he recovers from his ACL, it will likely be essential for him to keep up the give attention to his hamstring work as part of his general rehabilitation plan. The truth is, the work he has already performed in that space is probably going to assist him return extra successfully from his ACL reconstruction.
Tank Dell, Texans
A ugly multi-ligament knee damage for Dell in December 2024 required a staged restore course of. His first surgical procedure passed off in mid-January to handle the MCL and LCL, then in March he underwent reconstruction of his ACL. Multiligament knee accidents are notoriously tougher to rehabilitate given the buildings concerned, the complexity of the surgical restore and the time it takes the athlete to regain confidence within the knee. The Texans’ acquisition of Christian Kirk and collection of two huge receivers within the early rounds of the 2025 NFL draft replicate the group’s plans to enhance the huge receiver room after shedding Stefon Diggs to free company and Dell to damage. Though Dell is reportedly making regular progress, as head coach DeMeco Ryans emphasised, there is no such thing as a timeline for his return. Quite the group wants him again “when he is able to be Tank.” It’s unclear whether or not that can even be this season.
Fast hits
Chris Olave, WR, Saints
Olave suffered two concussions final season. The second, which occurred simply three weeks after the primary, noticed him go away the sector on a stretcher to be transported to a neighborhood hospital. The sequence of occasions led to Olave consulting with a number of specialists, however he did return to apply the ultimate two weeks of the season. The Saints elected to not activate him for sport play, nonetheless, giving him extra restoration area heading into this season. After 4 concussions in three NFL seasons, his damage historical past is unavoidably part of the dialog.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
The Cowboys’ season pale away quietly, so many might have forgotten that Lamb was taking part in via a sprained AC joint suffered in Week 9, the identical week his quarterback tore his hamstring. Lamb would find yourself returning the next week, however the shoulder remained intermittently problematic. The Cowboys elected to close him down after Week 16 and the offseason afforded him time to recuperate. He should not have any limitations coming into 2025.
Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
Evans was a case research in what can occur whenever you attempt to play via a hamstring damage. The week following his preliminary proper hamstring pressure, Evans aggravated it and was then sidelined for 4 weeks (three video games plus a bye). The excellent news is that he returned robust and was capable of end out one other 1,000-yard season. The 31-year-old receiver stays some of the constant gamers within the sport, hardly ever lacking time and notching over 1,000 yards for 11 straight seasons, however … was the hamstring problem an early signal of issues to return?
Evan Engram, TE, Broncos
After two years of excellent attendance, Engram missed roughly half the 2024 season with hamstring and shoulder accidents. In December, he underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum in his left shoulder, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient to discourage the Broncos from signing him in March. He needs to be prepared to start the season on time.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
Pacheco suffered a fibula fracture in Week 2 and it appeared his season could possibly be over. However to his credit score, he labored his means again to a return in Week 13, even assuming lead-back duties at occasions. Nonetheless, he did not seem to have the identical explosiveness as pre-injury, under no circumstances shocking, because it typically takes a yr to return to efficiency. Pacheco needs to be in fine condition getting into the 2025 season, even higher for having shaken the rust off in his return final yr.
Hollywood Brown, WR, Chiefs
A sternoclavicular (SC) damage within the preseason finally required surgical procedure and prompted Brown to overlook the majority of the season. He returned in Week 16 and took part within the Chiefs’ postseason, however his position was diminished. Extra importantly, that is an damage that ought to not pose any issues of recurrence (particularly after the surgical repair) and Brown is anticipated to enter camp as a full participant.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins
Tagovailoa had one other concussion scare in 2024 that introduced again issues from two years in the past when some thought he won’t return to play. Once more, Tagovailoa asserted his confidence in himself and his well being going ahead, returning to play six weeks after the damage (4 missed video games plus a bye). He did miss the ultimate two weeks of the season with a hip damage, however basic supervisor Chris Grier informed reporters in January there was no long-term concern. Coming off a season with probably the most missed video games since his rookie yr, the Dolphins hope Tagovailoa will repeat his 2023 marketing campaign of no missed time.
Christian Kirk, WR, Texans
Kirk missed half the 2024 season as a result of a damaged collarbone, however the Jaguars have been capable of deal him to the Texans in March. Though Kirk has struggled with accidents at totally different factors in his profession, he did have two consecutive seasons taking part in each sport in 2021 and 2022. Whereas there’s at all times an opportunity of re-fracturing a collarbone, it could require sufficient particular forces that makes it unlikely. The bigger concern — exterior of his goal share on this offense — is whether or not the 28-year-old can preserve the mushy tissue accidents at bay.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Payments
Kincaid injured his left knee in Week 10 in opposition to the Colts and initially tried, unsuccessfully, to return to the sport. He would go on to overlook the subsequent three video games. Regardless of returning in Week 15, he performed restricted snaps for the rest of the season and didn’t seem totally wholesome. Teammate Dawson Knox informed reporters Kincaid had torn his PCL in a single knee and aggravated the opposite. The hope is that the offseason afforded Kincaid sufficient time for the PCL to heal, however it could nonetheless not come as a shock if his exercise is managed up via the early a part of camp.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Panthers
Final yr, there was pleasure midseason in regards to the rookie’s anticipated NFL debut, delayed by his rehabilitation from an ACL tear reconstructed in November 2023 whereas nonetheless at Texas. That enthusiasm was short-lived, as Brooks re-tore his proper ACL on a non-contact play in simply his third sport again. The Panthers neatly positioned him on the Bodily Unable to Carry out (PUP) in early Might, which means he is not going to see the sector in any respect in 2025 as he focuses on restoration.
