Injuries are one of the biggest wild cards in fantasy football, capable of reshaping leagues and rosters in an instant. As we head into the 2025 campaign, understanding where key players stand health-wise is essential for drafting with confidence and managing risk. In this “Health Check,” we break down the latest on notable names returning from injury, assess their recovery progress, and evaluate what it all means for their fantasy value this season.
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RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey presents one of fantasy football’s most difficult injury outlooks heading into 2025. The ambiguity around last year’s health issues, paired with his overall history of injuries, makes projecting his value a bit of a gamble.
Last season, McCaffrey was diagnosed with bilateral Achilles tendinitis in training camp and missed the preseason. He was inactive for Week 1 and ultimately missed eight games. Though he returned in November, he didn’t look like his old self until Week 13. Just as he found his stride, he sprained his PCL in a snowy December game, ending his season.
McCaffrey was a full participant in spring OTAs this offseason and told reporters in January he was “definitely close” to 100%. While this is a positive sign, McCaffrey is now 29, and entering an age range where running backs historically begin to decline.
McCaffrey has now played eight NFL seasons, with five mostly healthy and productive years and three significantly shortened by injury. When active, he is arguably the most impactful running back in the league, but fantasy managers must weigh risk against reward.
McCaffrey’s work ethic, professionalism, and rehab regimen are second to none, and the 49ers let RB Jordan Mason walk in free agency, while only adding 5th round rookie RB Jordan James. The opportunity is there — the only unknown is whether McCaffrey’s body can keep pace with his workload. He is a true gamble at his current ADP of 13th overall, but has perhaps the highest ceiling of any running back in fantasy.
WR Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin was trending toward a career-best season in 2024, thriving as a high-volume slot option in Tampa Bay’s passing attack. But a gruesome ankle fracture and dislocation abruptly ended his year in Week 7. It was a brutal blow for a player who had only recently regained full form following a serious ACL/MCL injury in 2021.
Post-surgery updates were encouraging, and the Buccaneers showed continued faith by extending him on a new three-year deal. Still, their decision to draft WR Emeka Egbuka in the first round — a player with a similar slot profile — raised eyebrows and introduced some doubt about Godwin’s role and health status.
Heading into training camp, there’s a cloud of uncertainty surrounding Godwin’s availability and effectiveness, but Bucs GM Jason Licht insists “Chris is still on track; we’re still shooting for Week One with him.” Even if he returns in time for the regular season opener, expectations will need to be tempered considering the severity of the injury and the combined presence of WR Mike Evans, WR Jalen McMillan and WR Emeka Egbuka.
WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice sustained an LCL tear in Week 4 of the 2024 season— a less common injury than the more frequently torn MCL. While surgery was required to repair the LCL (along with his lateral hamstring tendon), fortunately his ACL and other internal knee structures remained intact.
The third-year wideout’s recovery progress has been promising thus far. In late May, QB Patrick Mahomes praised Rice’s rehab efforts, mentioning he was already back to running routes and making catches with “no limitations”. Head coach Andy Reid echoed that optimism, confirming Rice is “on track” to participate fully in training camp.
Rice’s encouraging progress, combined with the early-season timing of injury, gives him a realistic shot at returning to form once the season rolls around. Before injury in 2024, Rice was KC’s de-facto number one receiver, commanding a 25.7% target share, and was the WR14 overall in fantasy. Barring setbacks, Rice appears positioned for a potential breakout campaign as Patrick Mahomes’ primary aerial weapon.
