Fantasy Football Week 1 Injury Report: Worthy of Concern

The 2025 NFL week 1 brought us some disappointing offensive productions and unfortunately some significant injuries that will impact our fantasy teams. Many of the injuries this week have optimistic initial reports but it will be important to keep an eye on the team practice reports as the week goes on. I will continue to update the injury tracker and post any updates as team reports come out. For now, let's dive in to what injuries occurred.

Xavier Worthy, WR Kansas City Chiefs

Injury: Right Shoulder Dislocation

Projected Timetable: 3-4+ Weeks up to Season-Ending

Initial Thoughts:

It has been confirmed that Worthy suffered a dislocation shoulder, but the team is still evaluating and receiving consults on the game plan for treatment. The good news is that they did not jump straight to surgery, which indicates the trauma is not severe. However, I would not be surprised if there is still a labral tear and they are currently trying to determine if it is small enough of a tear to allow for a return in 3-4 weeks or so, or if it is big enough to require surgery. If pain and stability improve, he could return while wearing a brace, but would still carry high reinjury risk if he were to land hard on that side again. If pain and stability do not improve, they will likely opt for surgery to repair, which would effectively end his season. Hopefully, we hear soon, but it would not surprise me if the team opts to give it a few weeks to see if Worthy improves first. They can always go back and opt for surgery later on, but if they go straight to surgery right now, there is no going back.

UPDATE: It has been confirmed a right shoulder dislocation that the team is hoping Worthy can rehab without requiring surgery. The biggest takeaway here is that the team has nothing to lose by having Worthy attempt non-invasive, conservative physical therapy to reduce pain, regain range of motion, and restore joint stability. Best case scenario, the rehab helps and he is able to return within the next 2-4 weeks with a brace for added stability, since reinjury risk will remain high for a second dislocation incident. Worst case scenario, the rehab does not help and he winds up electing for surgery in a few weeks from now. I would be cautious on acquiring Worthy for the 2025 season at this current time.

Jauan Jennings, WR San Francisco 49ers

Injury: Left Shoulder Sprain

Projected Timetable: Day to Day

Initial Thoughts:

Set to undergo an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the injury, it is notable that Jennings had difficulty simply lifting his left arm up while on the sideline. I was unable to find a video of the actual injury, but initial reports do not sound good. Kyle Shanahan even said after the game that the team is really hopeful to work something out with bringing in free agent Kendrick Bourne, who would likely play the exact same role as Jennings. Plan on him missing time, and it could be significant.

UPDATE: Both an MRI and a CT scan came back clean. The MRI would have revealed any tissue tearing, including capsule or ligaments, and the CT scan would have revealed any bone trauma such as a fracture, Hill-Sachs lesion (indent from dislocation/subluxation), or avulsion. This is great news that the scans came back clean. His return will be dependent on pain levels, shoulder stability, and function, but there is a chance he could wind up playing in week 2. I would exercise caution on starting him in week 2 though, as there will likely be higher reinjury risk and there was an evident regression in rapport with Purdy in his routes that is likely from the contract hold out and missing significant time in OTAs and camp.

Jaylen Waddle, WR Miami Dolphins

Injury: Left Shoulder

Projected Timetable: Week 2

Initial Thoughts:

As of right now, it seems that his injury avoided structural damage, considering he only missed a few snaps and was able to return to the game without issue. He may wind up in more pain and stiffness post-game, but I anticipate him being fine throughout the week and able to suit up week 2. Sounds like he avoided any significant labral injury or other strains. The downside is that this Miami offense looks atrocious.

Drake London, WR Atlanta Falcons

Injury: Right AC Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Initial reports indicate that the AC sprain is mild despite his not being able to return to the game for the last two drives. Average return for WRs is 1-2 weeks, with a return depending on pain levels, mobility, and function. As a wide receiver, he has to be able to reach in all directions for errant passes, and he will still run the risk of reinjury if he lands hard on that same side if active in week 2. For now, I like his chances to suit up for week 2 with minimal production dip, but keep an eye on his practice status as the week goes on.

Chris Olave, WR New Orleans Saints

Injury: Chest Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 2

Initial Thoughts:

Olave spent nearly half of the game in the medical tent, or so it seemed. The injury that mattered was the chest sprain he suffered, but it only kept him out for a brief period of time before he was able to return to the game. I am not overly concerned about his availability for week 2, but keep an eye on the team's practice report this week. I do think he has a good chance of suiting up, but it depends on post-game pain levels and stiffness that may set in.

Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams

Injury: Facial Laceration, Concussion Screening

Projected Timetable: Week 2

Initial Thoughts:

Nacua took so many hits on Sunday that it's amazing he walked away from the field with just a flesh wound above his eye. He was able to clear concussion screening and return to the game, even catching one of the more important receptions of the game to clinch victory for the Rams. He will be fine for week 2.

Will Shipley, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Injury: Fractured Ribs

Projected Timetable: Week 3-6

Initial Thoughts:

There have been no concise reports on the severity of his injury, which is likely a good thing in regard to this not being fractured ribs. If just bruised, I would plan on a potential 1-2 week absence with a chance that he is able to suit up next week, depending on pain levels and mobility. Even if active, I would expect a lighter workload planned for week 2 than what he was projected to get in week 1.

UPDATE: Shipley is dealing with fractured ribs, which explains the trade for Tank Bigsby. Unsure on severity but this could span two weeks up to four or more. A short-term IR stint would also not surprise me.

George Kittle, TE San Francisco 49ers

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: 3-5 Weeks

Initial Thoughts:

He limped off the field after blocking, was evaluated in the blue tent, and was ruled out fairly quickly. He was still standing on the sideline in his pads for quite a while, so I do not think this injury will be long-term, but I would plan on at least 2-3 weeks. He will be getting an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of injury, and we will likely hear a more concise timeframe at that point. Plan for a backup plan for the next few weeks.

UPDATE: MRI revealed a likely Grade II hamstring strain that has given him a timetable of 3-5 weeks for return. There is a decent chance that the 49ers place him on short-term IR to give him adequate time to heal given his age and past soft tissue injury. Plan for 4+ weeks without Kittle for now.

Brock Bowers, TE Las Vegas Raiders

Injury: Knee

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Neither the team nor Bowers sounds concerned about his knee injury. He was reportedly pushing to go back out into the game, but Pete Carroll held him back. Based on initial news, I would anticipate him being active for week 2, but keep an eye on the Raiders' practice report as the week goes on. I do have some slight concern that this is a mild PCL sprain, which could lead to more pain and stiffness after the game and cause him to miss 1-2 games, but the initial reports have been very promising.

Evan Engram, TE Denver Broncos

Injury: Right Calf

Projected Timetable: Week to Week

Initial Thoughts:

Engram got up after being tackled and hobbled off to the sideline, displaying difficulty with weight bearing and pushing off his leg. Based on the video and mechanism, this could be a multi-week absence for Engram. If you have him, prepare for a backup plan at tight end for week 2 and likely for several weeks. Without more information, plan on the typical average return of 2 weeks for TEs.

Brock Purdy, QB San Francisco 49ers

Injury: Left Shoulder, Toe

Projected Timetable: Day to Day

Initial Thoughts:

Kyle Shanahan told media on Monday that Purdy had suffered left shoulder and toe injuries in week 1. The shoulder injury is not a concern, but the team is still evaluating the toe injury. I am not sure which side the injury is on and saw a few plays where the injury may have occurred, but they seem to be incidents where his toe was stepped on versus a turf toe mechanism. If so, this is most likely a bone bruise which falls into a pain tolerance category versus a functional impedance category. I am not overly concerned at this point, but the practice reports should tell us a lot.