2024 NFL Injuries That May Impact the 2025 Season
The 2024 NFL season was riddled with injuries that shook team rosters and fantasy football projections. While many players are expected to return for the 2025 season, the lingering effects of serious injuries could significantly influence their performance and availability. Some of the league’s most dynamic talents—Christian McCaffrey, Rashee Rice, J.J. McCarthy, Chris Godwin, and Chris Olave—ended their seasons prematurely. As teams prepare for training camps and strategize their 2025 game plans, the long-term impact of these injuries can’t be overlooked.
Let’s take a closer look at five high-profile players whose injuries in 2024 may continue to shape the NFL landscape in 2025.
Written by: Jesse Morse, M.D.
Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) – Knee Injury That Could Alter His 2025 Production
Christian McCaffrey has been a fantasy football cornerstone and one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers for several seasons. However, his 2024 campaign was disrupted by lingering lower body issues, culminating in a season-ending knee injury by Week 13. What makes McCaffrey’s case particularly concerning is the fact that his injury followed bilateral Achilles trouble that already delayed his season debut until Week 10.
Heading into 2025, there are legitimate questions surrounding his durability. The San Francisco 49ers rely heavily on McCaffrey’s versatility as both a runner and a receiver. Any decline in explosiveness, lateral agility, or snap count management could drastically alter the team’s offensive game plan and fantasy football strategies.
Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) – Knee Injury May Stall His Breakout Momentum
Rashee Rice was on a breakout path in early 2024, quickly becoming one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets. But everything changed in Week 4 when Rice suffered a severe LCL injury during a freak play involving Mahomes himself. The knee injury abruptly ended his promising season.
While reports suggest that Rice is rehabbing well, LCL injuries can be tricky, especially for wide receivers who rely on sharp cuts and acceleration. There is also a possible looming suspension as well that further complicates Rice’s 2025 value. If Rice isn’t fully recovered by training camp or begins the 2025 season at less than 100%, it could hinder the Kansas City Chiefs’ aerial attack. When healthy and able to be on the field, Rice will be the #1 target for Patrick Mahomes. Dr. Morse is very high on Rashee Rice heading into the 2025, although the looming possible suspension clouds the judgement a bit.
J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) – Missed Rookie Season May Delay NFL Development
Highly touted rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy never got the opportunity to step on the field in 2024. A meniscus injury during preseason required not one, but two surgeries, effectively shelving him for his entire first year in the NFL.
While McCarthy is expected to be healthy for 2025, the missed developmental reps could have long-lasting effects. Rookie quarterbacks often need game-time experience to adjust to the NFL’s speed and complexity. Despite kicking the tires on Aaron Rodgers, after Sam Darnold signed with the Seattle Seahawks, at the time of writing (before the Draft) the tentative plan is for the Vikings to start McCarthy. With that being said, having missed an entire season, McCarthy will essentially be starting from scratch.
Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Ankle Injury Puts 2025 Campaign in Doubt
Chris Godwin was having a standout season in 2024 before a bizarre ankle dislocation, which may have also included a fracture, brought things to a halt in Week 7. It’s still unclear the full extent of the damage Godwin sustained. Was there injury to the high-ankle (syndesmotic) ligament? These types of injuries can be especially debilitating for wide receivers, affecting their ability to push off, accelerate, and change direction.
As of early reports, Godwin’s rehab is progressing, but the uncertainty around his cutting ability and game speed looms large. Tampa Bay may need to adjust their receiving corps or limit Godwin’s usage if he’s not fully recovered by Week 1 of 2025. Fantasy managers will also need to proceed with caution until there’s confirmation that Godwin is back to pre-injury form, and that may take 4-8 weeks for him to get back there.
Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) – Multiple Concussions Could Threaten Long-Term Availability
Chris Olave entered the 2024 season with sky-high expectations and was drafted as a top-20 wide receiver in most fantasy leagues. However, a series of concussions led to the Saints shutting him down in Week 9. He ended the year with just 32 receptions—far below what was expected.
The concerning part about Olave’s injury situation isn’t just the immediate missed time but the pattern of recurring concussions. If these symptoms persist or if he suffers another head injury in 2025, his career could be at risk. This could go one of three ways: Brandin Cooks, Tua Tagovailoa, and Jordan Reed. Reed ended up retiring from the NFL due to recurrent concussions, Brandin Cooks managed to avoid sustaining a concussion in the past several seasons, and for Tua every time he takes the field there it seems that everyone is holding their breath. Concussions remain a serious and unpredictable variable in the NFL. The Saints may even consider limiting his snaps or adjusting their offensive scheme to reduce his exposure to high-impact plays. Dr. Morse is personally recommending to avoid Olave in 2025, his risk is very high for another concussion.
How These Injuries Could Shape the 2025 NFL Season
While some of these players are expected to be medically cleared for the 2025 season, “cleared” doesn’t always mean “back to full strength.” Each of these players—whether it’s McCaffrey’s knee, Rice’s LCL, or Olave’s concussions—faces unique challenges that may impact not just their individual stats, but also their teams’ strategies and the broader fantasy football ecosystem.
Fantasy Football Implications
- Risk vs. Reward: Players like McCaffrey and Godwin will be high-risk, high-reward picks in 2025 fantasy drafts.
- Depth Chart Adjustments: If Olave or Rice aren’t 100% by Week 1, other receivers could rise in value.
- Quarterback Stability: The Vikings’ offensive performance may hinge on how quickly McCarthy adapts post-injury.
NFL Team Strategy Changes
- Teams may draft additional backups, change formations, or reduce workload for returning players.
- Offensive coordinators could modify schemes to protect players recovering from major injuries.
Final Thoughts: Monitor These Recoveries Closely
As the 2025 NFL offseason progresses, these five injury situations should be on every fan’s radar. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter, a fantasy football fanatic, or just an NFL observer, keeping tabs on player health is key to understanding how next season may unfold. While medical advancements have improved recovery outcomes, the physical and mental hurdles these players face are significant.
Will McCaffrey return to his All-Pro form? Can Rashee Rice pick up where he left off? Will Chris Olave avoid further head injuries? Only time will tell—but one thing is certain: the 2024 injury report will cast a long shadow into the 2025 NFL season.
