Several high-profile NFL wide receivers enter the 2025 season with notable injury concerns as training camps open, including Malik Nabers, Tyreek Hill, Brandon Aiyuk, Chris Godwin, Stefon Diggs, Chris Olave, and Rashee Rice. From lingering injuries and recovery timelines to concussion risks and possible suspensions, each case could impact fantasy football, depth charts, and team outlooks. Pro Football Doc and the Sports Injury Central team provide expert analysis on what to expect as training camps open across the NFL.
Malik Nabers 2025 Outlook
Malik Nabers (WR): Currently nursing a toe injury that dates back to college for Nabers, it hampered him towards the end of the regular season last year as well, was on the team’s injury report a few times his rookie year with a concussion in Week 5, as well as hip and groin injuries at various points, but overall had a productive rookie season catching 109 passes for 1204 yards and 7 touchdowns amid uncertainty at the quarterback position. The toe injury is most concerning. Nabers is participating at the start of camp but admitted to reporters that the possibility of having surgery on his toe sometime in his career has been “up in the air,” meaning it’s possible but he hasn’t seriously considered it.
Tyreek Hill 2025 Outlook
Tyreek Hill (WR): Hill suffered a wrist injury during a joint practice with the Washington Commanders in August 2024 but opted to play through the 2024 NFL season despite medical advice recommending season-ending surgery. The injury noticeably impacted his performance. Hill flirted with career-low season totals with 81 receptions for 959 yards and six touchdowns. Hill delayed treatment until the offseason. In February 2025, he underwent surgery to repair ligament damage in the wrist, followed by a second procedure in May to remove the screws from the initial operation, a planned step in his recovery. Despite both surgeries, we expect Hill to have a full, productive season, although considering his age, there might be a dip in overall performance.
Brandon Aiyuk 2025 Outlook
Brandon Aiyuk (WR): Placed on the PUP list to start camp. Aiyuk continues rehabbing a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee that cut his 2024 season short, but his recovery has been encouraging so far. GM John Lynch praised Aiyuk’s effort, noting he’s been "putting in the work" and called his progress "kind of incredible." While there’s still no firm timeline for his return to game action, and he’s unlikely to suit up for the 49ers' season opener on Sept. 7 against Seattle, Aiyuk is expected to take on a leading role in the receiving corps once healthy, especially with Deebo Samuel now in Washington.
Chris Godwin 2025 Outlook
Chris Godwin (WR): enters the 2025 season rehabbing from a dislocated left ankle sustained in Week 7 of the 2024 season. He underwent surgery and missed all voluntary OTAs, then returned to the sidelines at mandatory minicamp, working only inside while trainers assess his progress. Godwin was placed on the active/PUP. He reportedly underwent a minor cleanup procedure this spring and is said to be “doing well.” He can be activated at any time once cleared. We have high optimism for Godwin ahead of the season. He might start slow but once healthy, there should be no lingering issues from his ankle injury. No big downgrade for Godwin.
Stefon Diggs 2025 Outlook
Stefon Diggs (WR) - Diggs is entering the 2025 season with the New England Patriots while still rehabbing his torn ACL, which he suffered late in the 2024 season while with the Houston Texans. He appeared in just eight games for Houston before the injury ended his year, concluding the season with 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots signed him in late March to a three-year, $63.5 million contract. Diggs is present at camp and was cleared to practice. Despite that, we have huge red flags for Diggs in 2025. Coming off an ACL tear, plus his age and new team, we expect a down season for the wide receiver.
Chris Olave 2025 Outlook
Chris Olave (WR): enters the 2025 season healthy after missing most of 2024 with multiple concussions. He suffered two concussions last year, including one severe incident on November 3 that kept him out for the final eight games but was cleared in December. Olave participated fully in non-contact offseason workouts and mandatory minicamp activities and had no limitations at the start of camp. Olave enters the 2025 season as our biggest concern for all fantasy players. Due to his concussion history, if he sustains another, he would be out 4+ weeks, and it could be career-threatening. He will have a yellow SIC Score entering the season.
Rashee Rice 2025 Outlook
Rashee Rice (WR): Rice enters the 2025 season fully recovered from last year’s torn LCL and hamstring repair and has been a full participant in both OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Head Coach Andy Reid said Rice would be a full participant to start training camp. Until we see video and see how he really looks, we remain guarded. On July 17th, he was sentenced to 30 days of jail time and five years' probation for his role in a multicar crash last year. The NFL now can expedite its disciplinary process of Rice, who is likely to receive a multigame suspension at some point during the upcoming 2025 season.
Michael Pittman 2025 Outlook
Michael Pittman (WR): Pittman Jr. enters the 2025 season effectively healthy, having fully recovered from a fractured lower back he played through for most of 2024. Underwent regular scans throughout the offseason, was cleared to return by March, and reported no need for surgery. He did experience a brief scare in early June, limping off the practice field after minor contact, but returned without restriction. Pittman is possibly dealing with spondylolysis, a condition that never heals. We will have a low grade for Pittman entering 2025, and we recommend not drafting him too high in fantasy this season.
Amon-Ra St. Brown 2025 Outlook
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR): Missed OTAs after undergoing a cleanup knee procedure, not considered a major surgery. St. Brown has participated fully at the start of training camp. He had a very healthy and productive 2024 season with 115 catches for 1263 yards and 12 touchdowns in all 17 regular-season games.
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