2025 NFL Preview: What's new? Players who are injured, suspended or dealing with contract issues

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2025-nfl-preview-whats-new-players-who-are-injured-suspended-or-dealing-with-contract-issues-130037180.html

It’s Week 1, which means this is the healthiest each team will be. Injuries and other absences are an inevitable part of the game.

But not every team is whole to start the season. There are some key players who will be out due to suspension, injury or a contractual issue. Here is a list of the key players who are already out for Week 1 or are in danger of missing the opener.

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Suspensions

Chiefs WR Rashee Rice, 6 games: Rice, the Chiefs’ top receiver, accepted a six-game suspension for his role in a multi-car accident in 2024. That’s a big blow to the Chiefs, but at least they have clarity on which games Rice will miss and when he’ll be back. He’ll return for a Week 7 home game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Vikings WR Jordan Addison, 3 games: Addison was arrested in 2024 on suspicion of drunk driving but pleaded down to a lesser offense. That’s not ideal for the Vikings, who traded for Adam Thielen to help with their receiver depth, but Addison will return in late September.

49ers WR Demarcus Robinson, 3 games: Robinson made a no contest plea to a misdemeanor DUI charge and was suspended three games. That another blow to the 49ers’ depth at receiver. The team will be without multiple wideouts to start the season.

Bills DE Michael Hoecht and DT Larry Ogunjobi, 6 games each: The Bills added two new defensive linemen who won’t be available to start the season. Both Hoecht and Ogunjobi are out six games due to PED suspensions. They’ll be able to help the Bills for a bulk of the season, however.

Injuries

Packers DE Micah Parsons: Parsons was part of a massive trade, but he also has some injury concern. Parsons is dealing with a L4/L5 facet joint sprain in his back, according to ESPN. The report said Parsons is trying to play Week 1, but his status is uncertain.

Packers WR Jayden Reed: Reed has a Jones fracture in his foot according to ESPN Madison’s Jason Wilde, though he plans to play through the pain. His status is still worth monitoring before a big Week 1 game against the Lions.

Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin and OT Tristan Wirfs: Godwin and Wirfs were activated from the PUP list, but with the plan to bring them along slowly. Both star offensive players might miss most or all of September. Tight end Cade Otton could also miss the opener with a leg injury.

Texans RB Joe Mixon: Mixon begins the season on the reserve/NFI list, meaning he’ll miss at least the first four weeks of the season due to a foot injury. There has been no clear timetable on when Mixon might return to the lineup.

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk: Aiyuk suffered a season-ending knee injury last year and he’s still not able to return. The 49ers have hinted that he might return in Week 6, but San Francisco will be shorthanded on offense until he does return.

Titans RB Tyjae Spears: Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in preseason, and was placed on injured reserve to start the season. The Titans’ backup to Tony Pollard will miss at least the first four games.

Ravens TE Isaiah Likely: Likely is dealing with a foot injury. He should return sometime in September, but his availability for a Week 1 game against Buffalo is up in the air.

Dolphins Jaylen Wright: Coming into his second season, Wright was expected to play a role behind starter De’Von Achane. But Wright had a surgery on his leg and won’t be available for the start of the season, opening up an opportunity for Ollie Gordon II over the first few weeks.

Contract issues

49ers WR Jauan Jennings: Jennings could have gone under the injuries section too. He’s dealing with a calf injury. But how much of his absence has been due to the injury and how much is his unhappiness over his contract? It’s tough to trust the 49ers after they lied about the Christian McCaffrey injury situation before the start of last season.

Browns RB Quinshon Judkins: Judkins is the only unsigned pick from the 2025 NFL Draft. The second-round pick was not officially charged for misdemeanor battery, but the NFL is still reviewing the case under the personal conduct policy. The contract has been held up while that is settled.

https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/article/2025-nfl-preview-whats-new-players-who-are-injured-suspended-or-dealing-with-contract-issues-130037180.html