Top QB Injuries to Watch Entering the 2025 NFL Season

As NFL training camps open across the league, several high-profile quarterbacks are entering the 2025 season with health concerns that could impact depth charts, fantasy football, and playoff hopes. @ProFootballDoc and the Sports Injury Central team break down the latest medical updates, expected recovery timelines, and potential performance implications for some of the league’s most important quarterbacks heading into Week 1.

Anthony Richardson 2025 Outlook

Anthony Richardson: Has been dealing with a lingering shoulder issue. While speculation has pointed toward a possible re-aggravation of his AC joint, that’s unlikely since aggravating the AC joint typically requires contact trauma, which hasn’t occurred during offseason work. Some minor wear and tear in the AC joint can’t be ruled out, but according to Pro Football Doc, the bigger worry may lie elsewhere. With Richardson missing valuable practice time and reps, we anticipate Daniel Jones being the #1 QB in Indy to start the season. General Manager Chris Ballard said that quarterback Anthony Richardson will not begin training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. His only limitation will be a controlled number of passes early in camp.

J.J. McCarthy 2025 Outlook

J.J. McCarthy: Meniscus repair, missed entire season as an understudy; this is effectively his rookie season, so expectations should be tempered. He’s had no limitations in OTAs and was a full participant in June minicamp.

Bo Nix 2025 Outlook

Bo Nix: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix played through three transverse process fractures in his back, an injury he sustained in Week 12 last season against the Las Vegas Raiders. These types of fractures are typically considered pain tolerance issues, and Nix managed to play through them effectively. The Broncos' late-season bye week also helped him manage the discomfort and aided in his recovery. Long-term, this injury is not expected to be an issue. Nix demonstrated his durability by finishing the season despite the fractures, and the injury has since fully healed. Heading into the new season, there are no lingering concerns about his back. Expect Nix to be 100% healthy entering the season, with the back injury now completely behind him.

Kirk Cousins 2025 Outlook

Kirk Cousins: enters the 2025 season managing a fully healed Achilles from October 2023, but he continues to address occasional ankle mobility issues and lingering shoulder/elbow stiffness from mid-season 2024, which he said affected him late in the year. He sat out voluntary OTAs but attended the mandatory minicamp, participating in meetings and field sessions. We believe Cousins’ shoulder injury led to his being benched. He is a prime trade candidate this season.

Tua Tagovailoa 2025 Outlook

Tua Tagovailoa: In Week 2 of the 2024 season, Tagovailoa suffered his fourth documented NFL concussion during a game against the Buffalo Bills. Later in the 2024 season, Tagovailoa sustained a hip injury that affected his strength and mobility, particularly impacting the muscles surrounding the hip. This injury led to him missing the final games of the regular season, including a crucial matchup against the New York Jets. The hip issue was described as a unique muscle injury, distinct from the hip injury he suffered during his college career at Alabama. As of June 2025, Tagovailoa has been participating in the Dolphins' offseason activities and is expected to be fully available for training camp. Tua’s concussion history will always be of concern, according to Pro Football Doc. If Tua suffers another concussion, he will be out at least 1 month and if he suffers two, he will likely be out for the season.

Dak Prescott 2025 Outlook

Dak Prescott: Sustained a significant hamstring avulsion injury on November 3 that ended his season, underwent surgery in mid-November to address the avulsion, reported in February to be in good health and was ready to amp his physical activity at that time, not cleared for contact, but otherwise considered healthy at OTAs but may still be limited in training camp. We believe the Cowboys will take a cautious approach with Prescott and that he’ll be ready for Week 1 and expect him to play at a high level this season.

Matthew Stafford 2025 Outlook

Matthew Stafford: Sat out Week 18, but otherwise played all games in 2024 including two playoff games and threw for 3762 yards for 20 touchdowns. Throughout the season he dealt with a couple of injuries. He played with cracked ribs from Week 15 on through the rest of the season, dealt with an ankle injury in early December, and a back injury in early October. Stafford will be held out of the first five days of Rams training camp due to back soreness. He’ll work with trainers on the side while Jimmy Garoppolo takes first-team reps. The team expects Stafford to resume full participation in the second block of camp and be ready for the season.