When drafting for the 2025 fantasy football season, understanding player health and injury outlook is just as important as talent, opportunity, and scheme. Pro Football Doc, Dr. David Chao, weighs in on several high-profile players whose health situations could significantly impact fantasy rosters this fall.
Chris Godwin — Lingering Ankle Concerns
Godwin is still recovering from a fracture-dislocation ankle injury that required two surgeries. While reports suggest he could return by October, video analysis shows he still isn’t walking normally and appears to be compensating for his knee.
"Just this morning or yesterday, I was sent a video of him just walking to or from the locker room. And his gait is not normal on his ankle. He’s compensating for his knee. So, I guess it’s good news that the team thinks he’s relatively close. The bad news is, I would have hoped, based on the original injury and the way they renewed him, that he would already be ready."
Fantasy Impact: Godwin remains a risky midseason stash. Even if he returns by Week 4 or 5, his gait issues raise real concern about effectiveness and durability. Proceed with caution when drafting.
Chris Olave — Concussion History Poses a Big Risk
Olave has four documented concussions, and likely more unreported. Once a player sustains multiple concussions, the chances of future incidents increase. Pro Football Doc warns that if Olave suffers another, the baseline recovery time could be a minimum of one month, not just a week like most players.
"The problem with Tua, and the problem with Chris Olave, is if they get another concussion, it’s likely a minimum of one month out. Whereas for most players, a concussion means missing about a week, maybe two in the vast majority of cases. But for Chris Olave, the baseline will start at one month."
Fantasy Impact: Olave carries major red-flag risk. While the upside remains high, managers should build depth at WR if drafting him.
De’Von Achane — Calf Injury Trouble
Explosive speed backs like Achane rely heavily on their calves, and this type of injury tends to linger. Pro Football Doc notes the timing—late in training camp—makes it more worrisome, since reacclimation injuries closer to the season are harder to shake.
"I’m concerned about it for a couple of reasons. First, the type of player he is—explosiveness and speed matter a lot. And second, calf injuries tend to linger and come back. We don’t know the exact degree—Grade 1, 2, or 3—or the precise location. It’s usually medial gastroc. And remember, injury reporting isn’t mandatory in the offseason or preseason. Even when we get to Week 1, the report will just say “calf — questionable” or “calf — DNP,” without much detail."
Fantasy Impact: Expect Achane to start the year limited. He’s a high-upside play but one with elevated risk of re-aggravation early in the season.
Joe Mixon — “Not Good” Situation in Houston
Mixon was placed on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, an unusual designation for a veteran. If this were related to last year’s issues, it would have been PUP. The lack of information from Houston is concerning, and Pro Football Doc emphasizes the silence suggests there’s a bigger story behind the designation.
"And then there’s the silence. Out of Houston, it’s been deafening. They don’t want to say what it is. I don’t know the story, but there is a story there. There’s a reason they put him on NFI—and it’s not going to be good."
Fantasy Impact: Significant uncertainty. Mixon may not be ready to contribute early, and this could drag out longer than fantasy managers expect. Downgrade him in drafts.
Malik Nabers — Lingering Toe Issue
Nabers’ toe injury dates back to LSU and continues to surface. The big toe is critical for route running, acceleration, and quick cuts—skills central to a wide receiver’s success. The fact that this injury spans multiple seasons is a red flag.
"Number one, we never like injuries that carry over across seasons. His toe issue has now stretched into multiple seasons, so it’s not likely to just disappear. Can he still play and produce with it? Maybe. But there is risk. In our preseason injury preview for the Giants, we downgraded him in the SIC score. The big toe is crucial for a wide receiver—for the full route tree, stopping and starting, acceleration, and one-step cuts that create separation. If he has to take three steps to make a break instead of one, that’s a problem."
Fantasy Impact: Nabers may still flash, but his SIC Score downgrade reflects the risk. If you’re choosing between Nabers and another similarly-ranked WR, the healthier player is the safer choice.
Christian McCaffrey — Load Management at 29
McCaffrey is being kept light in practices, which makes sense given his age (29.5) and workload history. The 49ers traded for Brian Robinson and drafted Jordan James, suggesting they want depth behind him. While past calf/Achilles issues should be behind him, his workload will be carefully managed.
"Well, look, I got hoodwinked by Christian McCaffrey last year with the calf. I thought he’d make it through, but then it turned into Achilles tendinitis, and then came the injections and the whole saga. That said, the Achilles and calf issues should now be behind him. There shouldn’t be lingering effects from one year to the next. So that’s the answer to the first question."
Fantasy Impact: Still an elite fantasy option, but don’t expect bell-cow usage every week. Draft with confidence, but understand the 49ers will prioritize keeping him fresh for January.
Saquon Barkley — Heavy Workload Regression Ahead
Barkley logged 482 touches in 2024, a massive workload. While he’s been healthy the past three years, his prior injury history and age (five years older than Gibbs and Bijan) raise durability concerns. Pro Football Doc doesn’t expect the same production as last year, though he isn’t labeling Barkley as “undraftable.”
"Bottom line: do I think Saquon Barkley will have the same production as last year? No, for all those reasons. But is he injury-prone to the point where you can’t draft him? That’s not what I’m saying. I just think there will likely be some adjustment."
Fantasy Impact: Barkley is still a strong fantasy pick, but expect some regression. His workload will be monitored, especially with the Eagles aiming for a Super Bowl run.
Jauan Jennings — Calf Injury or Contract Standoff?
Reports from Tim Kawakami suggest that 49ers WR Jauan Jennings could be placed on injured reserve due to a calf injury. Up until now, many around the league assumed the situation was more of a “hold-in,” not necessarily a fake injury, but Jennings was limiting himself until he secured a new deal.
Pro Football Doc notes that while the calf issue has lingered longer than expected, there may also be organizational maneuvering at play.
"Is this really a calf injury that has lingered this long and is genuinely that bad? Or is this the 49ers pushing back at Jennings, essentially saying: if you don’t get your act together, we’ll sit you down for 4–6 weeks, or longer if needed?"
San Francisco has a history of being firm in contract situations, pointing to past back-and-forth with Brandon Aiyuk.
Fantasy Impact: Whether medical or contractual, Jennings’ status remains murky. A trip to IR would cost him at least four weeks and create early-season uncertainty for his fantasy value.
Kenneth Walker — Recurring Foot Injuries Raise Concern
While Zach Charbonnet has impressed in training camp and preseason action, the Seahawks’ RB1 Kenneth Walker continues to deal with recurring foot issues. Seattle’s offensive line has reportedly looked improved, but Walker’s health is the biggest variable in their backfield outlook.
Pro Football Doc expresses guarded concern, noting that anytime an injury stretches across multiple seasons, it’s a red flag. Lack of preseason film makes it harder to fully assess his current condition, but the recurring nature of the injury is concerning for long-term durability.
"Well, there aren’t a lot of details. One of the challenges in preseason is you don’t get much film. The media there isn’t allowed to show footage of how players are performing, especially if there’s an injury. But you used the right words, we have some guarded concern on Kenneth Walker, just because of the word “recurring.” Injuries that carry over from one season to the next are never great."
Fantasy Impact: Walker remains the most talented back on the roster, but his recurring foot problems lower his floor. Charbonnet’s strong preseason play makes him a valuable handcuff and possible breakout candidate if Walker’s issues persist.
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