Injury Updates and Rookie Risers Shake Up 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings

Listeners, Fantasy Football rankings have seen major movement these past few days thanks to key injuries, fast-rising rookies, and shifting depth charts. Sports Illustrated highlights that with the 2025 NFL season kickoff just two weeks away, teams aren't risking their stars in final preseason games, meaning practice performances and medical updates are shaping projections more than on-field action. According to FantasyPros, Malik Nabers of the Giants is at the center of buzz lately. He’s missed multiple practices due to a combination of toe, shoulder, and most recently, minor back issues. While each problem is labeled “mild,” insiders caution that the ongoing nature and missed time raise early-season risk. Nabers is still a high-upside draft target, but the cumulative effect of his injuries is something managers need to weigh, especially if they’re eyeing him as a WR1. Justin Jefferson’s hamstring tweak led to a dip in his draft spot, but FantasyPros reports positive news from Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell: Jefferson is on track for Week 1, so fantasy players should consider buying the slight draft discount if that's still available. He’s seen sliding as low as sixth overall in some drafts. Christian McCaffrey returns healthy after his 2024 nightmare — a string of leg injuries, including calf, Achilles, and PCL tear, that cut his season to four games. Pristine Auction reports McCaffrey is slotting back atop the 49ers’ depth chart and is regaining first-round status in most leagues. The expert consensus is he remains elite when active, but his injury history means fantasy GMs must weigh risk against elite upside. Among quarterbacks, Dak Prescott headlines the injury comeback story. After his season-ending hamstring surgery last year, Prescott has been a full participant in Dallas’s offseason. Fantasy experts peg him near QB12 territory, with high variance tied to his durability. Meanwhile, Trevor Lawrence continues his rehab from non-throwing shoulder surgery. Analysts from FantasyPoints say risk here is minimal due to the non-throwing nature of the injury, so expect Lawrence to start Week 1 without meaningful fantasy impact. Rookies are surging in preseason, shifting draft rankings notably. CBS Sports identifies Ashton Jeanty and Malik Nabers as key names climbing into top-150 rankings for 2025, joining established stars like Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Justin Jefferson. SI marks Tetairoa McMillan as a rookie to watch who missed practice Monday with a mild hamstring strain. While classified as “minor,” soft tissue injuries can linger and impact early performance, so pay attention if you target him late in drafts. Jahmyr Gibbs is emerging as a top-five option among running backs per ESPN, thanks to his explosive breakout potential. He’ll continue splitting touches in Detroit with David Montgomery, but analysts note Gibbs’s goal-line prowess and PPR value are pushing him ahead of more injury-risky options. Depth chart This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.