Fantasy football injury updates: Latest on Justin Jefferson, Brandon Aiyuk, more
Football is back – and so are football injuries.
With fantasy drafts right around the corner, the injury report will, once again, become a big part of every football fan's daily life. Whether it's players that saw the 2024 season come to an early conclusion or others that had some sort of ailment over the offseason, you'll want to have all the latest information before making an investment in your draft.
There are multiple quarterbacks, running backs and receivers that are already banged up – even though training camps haven't been open for a week.
Unfortunately for the players, no repellent is warding off the injury bug.
Here is the latest on some of the fantasy-relevant players across the league.
Fantasy Football injury report
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields, New York Jets: Fields went down with a toe injury in practice on July 24 after he was stepped on. Carted off the field following the injury, it was later revealed that the quarterback had a dislocated toe. He returned to practice on July 25 after initially being listed as day-to-day.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: The 37-year-old is starting training camp on the side as he battles back soreness. The Rams don't seem concerned about Stafford, who is entering his 17th NFL season. At this point in his career, it comes as no surprise that L.A. will take every precaution – especially at this stage of training camp.
Running Backs
Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers: The Los Angeles Chargers officially placed the running back on the active/non-football injury (NFI) list on July 17 after a fireworks incident left Harris with a superficial eye injury during the early morning hours on July 5. He made his first appearance at training camp on July 25, wearing sunglasses and a hoodie – covering up the injury. It's unclear when Harris will return and that creates an opening for rookie Omarion Hampton to lead the backfield from Day 1.
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans: Mixon was placed on the NFI list as training camp began thanks to an ankle injury he suffered over the offseason. KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported that the team will look to gradually ease Mixon back into practice when the time comes, but the outlook remains positive entering the 2025 season. Despite some additional competition in the running back room, Mixon doesn't figure to be a player in danger of losing snaps.
Wide Receivers
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: Head coach Kevin O'Connell announced on July 25 that Jefferson suffered a mild hamstring strain, which will keep him out for a week before the team reevaluates him. The star receiver is quarterback-proof, but there is some fear about the pesky nature of hamstring injuries. Since the issue popped up early in training camp, there is still plenty of time for Jefferson to recover and keep fantasy managers' minds at ease.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers: After a contract dispute prior to the 2024 season, Aiyuk eventually received the long-term deal he was looking for. Unfortunately for him, that was one of the only positive things he received from a football standpoint as a torn ACL and MCL ended his season in Week 7. He was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and general manager John Lynch said on July 22 that the team doesn't have a timeline for his return yet. The potential for missing regular season games would be a big hit to Aiyuk's fantasy stock, especially with his production already in danger of dropping in his first season back.
Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots: Diggs' fantasy stock was given a boost after head coach Mike Vrabel said he will begin training camp without any physical restrictions. The receiver steps into New England as the clear WR1, which is something he couldn't say last season in Houston.
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons: Mooney left practice on July 24 with an undisclosed injury after attempting a diving catch in practice. The Falcons didn't provide an update on the receiver's status and followed it up by signing D.J. Chark on July 25. Mooney is looking to build off a career year as the Falcons' WR2, but he'll need to establish a better connection with Michael Penix Jr. to make that a reality.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers: Injuries continue to be a big part of the story for Watson, who has game-wrecking potential when healthy. It's been tough to put it all together and become one of fantasy's best weapons, however, as Watson has played in just 38 of a potential 51 regular season games over three years. He likely won't be ready in time for the regular season after suffering a torn ACL in the Packers' final regular season game last season, diminishing whatever fantasy value he still has. The presence of Matthew Golden doesn't help, either, relegating Watson to a potential matchup-based flex option at best if he returns to form. For now, stay away.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Godwin is beginning training camp on the PUP list as he works his way back from a season-ending ankle injury suffered in Week 7 of the 2024 season. The receiver elected to re-sign with Tampa this offseason, inking a three-year, $66 million deal with the club. Now the focus is on his rehab, which required a second ankle surgery this offseason, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine. He will have to come off the PUP list by roster cutdown day, however, or he will have to miss the first four games of the season. The receiver was on pace to set new career-highs across the board before his injury. If he's healthy, Godwin will remain a top-tier fantasy receiver.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans: Dell went down with a devastating knee injury in Week 16 of the 2024 season. He dislocated his knee on the play, damaged his meniscus and tore his ACL, MCL and LCL. Dell has had multiple surgeries this offseason. He won't be a fantasy factor in 2025.