Top RB Injuries to Watch Entering the 2025 NFL Season

As NFL teams ramp up for Week 1, several key running backs are already raising red flags. From Najee Harris’ eye injury to Joe Mixon’s mysterious NFI placement, and Christian McCaffrey’s comeback from a rough 2024, Pro Football Doc breaks down the medical storylines that could shape early-season performance and fantasy value. Here's the latest on the backs you need to monitor before kickoff.

Najee Harris 2025 Season Outlook

Harris is dealing with an eye injury sustained on the Fourth of July, and the full extent remains unclear. “Just because it’s superficial doesn’t mean it’s nothing,” Pro Football Doc said. “Binocular vision is critical for depth perception, especially for a running back who has to track defenders, pick up blitzers, and react in tight windows.” He noted that while the long-term outlook might be positive, the immediate effect on Harris' readiness is real. “It’s pretty clear he won’t be there for training camp,” Chao said. “We hope it’s a ‘nothing burger,’ but the vision aspect makes it significant.” Harris was placed on the NFI list on July 17th, but Pro Football Doc is hopeful he will come off the list well before the season.

Joe Mixon 2025 Season Outlook

Mixon begins camp on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, with a foot injury that could cost him some serious time. The nature of the issue hasn't been disclosed, and any time missed in a new system is notable for the veteran’s back. According to Pro Football Doc, the lack of details and the fact that Mixon participated fully in OTAs and minicamp raise concerns, saying, “There’s more to the Joe Mixon story here. What is it? I don't know. But the NFI was interesting."

Nick Chubb 2025 Season Outlook

Chubb, ss almost two years removed from a disastrous knee injury that saw him tear his ACL, MCL, and meniscus, was out 13 months when he made his return last season on October 20th and played in 8 games of the 2024 campaign. With Joe Mixon on the NFI list, the Texans are hoping that with two successful off-seasons since the knee injury, he is close to his prior form before injury, but we at siscscore.com are pessimistic that he can do this. We expect Chubb to contribute, but he may never reach his previous form. Last year, he was unable to finish the season due to a broken foot, but we have more concern about the knee than the foot.

Christian McCaffrey 2025 Season Outlook

McCaffrey had an injury-riddled 2024 that began in August with a calf strain that evolved into bilateral Achilles tendonitis, which saw him miss most of the season. He didn’t make his season debut until Week 10, played 4 weeks, then was shelved for the rest of the season when he sustained a PCL sprain in his right knee. McCaffrey appears to be in a good place physically this offseason following a 2024 campaign impacted by Achilles and knee problems. He took part in OTAs without any limitations and increased his workload during mandatory minicamp. McCaffrey said he aimed to challenge his body during these sessions and felt encouraged by how it responded as he shifted his attention to the 2025 season. By video, McCaffrey appears to be in full health at the start of training camp.

Kenneth Walker 2025 Season Outlook

Kenneth Walker sustained an oblique injury in Week 1 last season that saw him miss Weeks 2 & 3. He began experiencing ankle injuries and missed Weeks 14/15 & 17/18. He played in Week 16, but was ineffective. He was limited in the Seahawks' offseason program but has looked to be fully participating at camp thus far. The oblique injury should be behind him, while the ankle injury is a little more of a concern as the season starts.

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