Top Defensive Player Injuries to Watch Entering the 2025 Season

As training camps ramp up across the league, several high-profile defensive players are entering the 2025 NFL season with injury concerns. From Joey Bosa’s lingering calf issue to Jaelen Phillips’ back-to-back season-ending injuries, and Trevon Diggs and L’Jarius Sneed starting camp on the PUP list, durability will be a major storyline for some of the league’s top defenders. Here's the latest health outlook for a group of notable defensive stars heading into the new season.

Joey Bosa (DL)

Joey Bosa is entering the 2025 NFL season recovering from a calf injury sustained during team workouts in late May. He has been participating fully at training camp, calling the issue “minor”. The issue for Bosa, an aging edge rusher, is that soft tissue injuries could linger, but he should have enough time to fully heal for the season.

Jaelan Phillips (LB):

Jaelan Phillips is entering the 2025 NFL season recovering from a torn ACL sustained during Week 4 of the 2024 season against the Tennessee Titans. This injury required reconstructive surgery and marked his second consecutive season-ending injury, following a torn Achilles tendon suffered in 2023. Despite these setbacks, Phillips actively participated in the Dolphins' offseason activities, Organized Team Activities and training camp. We expect Phillips to have a difficult return to form coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries and will have a SIC Score in the low 80s.

Denzel Ward (CB):

Denzel Ward diagnosed with a concussion in late August before the season began, sustained another concussion, the sixth of his career, in Week 9, however, he missed no time as Week 10 was a bye week, also dealt with chest and rib injuries throughout the season that didn’t see him miss any time until a shoulder injury caused him to miss Week 18. Regardless of his concussion history, Ward is ranked as one of the best cornerbacks in the league amongst NFL personnel.

L'Jarius Sneed (CB):

L'Jarius Sneed enters the 2025 season still recovering from a significant quadriceps strain, sustained in mid October 2024 that landed him on injured reserve and required surgery. He is also dealing with a chronic knee issue that requires ongoing management. Sneed was placed on the PUP list to start training camp. We have major concerns for Snead as he enters with multiple injuries and is on the PUP list. After playing a career-low 5 games in 2024, his injuries should be monitored.

Christian Wilkins (DL):

Christian Wilkins was released by the Las Vegas Raiders as he continued his recovery from a Jones fracture in October. This injury is very concerning, as Jones fractures have a high complication rate. Need to monitor, but enters the season in the red-yellow category, meaning he will carry a low SIC Score to start the season.

Dre Greenlaw (LB):

Dre Greenlaw did not participate in the Denver Broncos' minicamps due to a quadriceps injury sustained during offseason workouts. He was present at the team's mandatory minicamp in June 2025 but was limited to side field work and did not engage in team drills. Greenlaw is a full go at training camp and should be ready to go Week 1 with no setbacks.

DeMarvion Overshown (LB):

DeMarvion Overshown sustained a torn ACL/MCL/PCL during Monday Night Football on December 9th, had season-ending surgery on December 18th with a reported nine-month recovery timeline. Overshown was placed on the PUP list. The 2024 third-round pick had a good rookie year pre-injury, starting 12 of his 13 games and recording 90 tackles (including 5.0 sacks), four pass defenses (including one interception), one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Any play from him would be considered a bonus for his career. If he does return this season, we don’t expect him to be close to 100%.

Trevon Diggs (CB):

Trevon Diggs is on a downward trajectory from an injury perspective. He had a few injuries in 2024. Among them, a groin/knee injury kept him out of Weeks 12-13, but the most serious of his injuries was a knee injury that required season-ending surgery in Week 15. He underwent a procedure that's considered the latest improvement on traditional microfracture surgery. He was placed on the PUP list to start camp. He does have a previously torn ACL in 2023 on the left knee that was repaired last season.

Aidan Hutchinson (DL):

Star edge Aidan Hutchinson sustained a broken fibula and tibia vs Dallas in Week 6 that ended his season. He should be fully recovered and should be back to his regular rotation and production.

Derrick Brown (DL):

Derrick Brown enters the 2025 season recovering from a meniscus tear in his left knee, suffered in Week 1 of 2024 against the Saints. He missed the entire season and underwent knee surgery, but has since progressed through rehab and returned to the field. Brown was cleared and is fully participating at camp. We need to see more from him to give a proper projection for this season. When healthy, Brown is one of the best DTs in the NFL.

Uchenna Nwosu (LB):

Uchenna Nwosu underwent a procedure on his knee, but the exact nature of it wasn't known at the time after he dealt with various injuries last season. He sustained a cut block in preseason and played through that injury. Most of his injuries were lower-body in nature. (MCL, thigh, quadriceps injuries) and in Week 1 had a pectoral injury. To start training camp for this season, he has been placed on the team’s active/PUP list and is not expected to be ready to practice anytime soon.

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