Experts Warn 2025 NFL Teams Could Struggle Thanks to These Preseason Injuries

The 2025 NFL preseason has already proven dangerous, with multiple key players suffering injuries that could shape the season ahead. Some of these injuries are even season-ending, forcing teams to completely rethink their 2025 strategies. These setbacks are also already influencing betting lines, power rankings, and fan expectations, proving this year's Fantasy League lineup may be more complicated than first expected.

No matter the team, injuries are affecting every position and group (though some pros are suffering far more than others). Even injuries to backups have shifted the entire playing landscape, especially in quarterback battles where every preseason snap matters. But who's already suffered an injury this preseason, so much so that they're reshaping the rest of their team's year?

247 Tempo brings you the answers using information from ESPN, NFL.com, The Sun, Reuters, FTN Fantasy, TalkSport, and more. Here's who's hurt, what exactly happened, and how the NFL is handling it.

• Team: Miami Dolphins
• Position: Running Back

Alexander Mattison suffered a severe neck injury during the Dolphins’ first preseason game, underwent emergency surgery, and is now ruled out for the entire 2025 season.

• Team: Miami Dolphins

With Alexander Mattison out for the season, the Dolphins are leaning on rookie De’Von Achane and veteran Raheem Mostert to carry the rushing load, while fans express concern over losing their short-yardage power back.

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers
• Position: Offensive Tackle

Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon during practice and will miss the entirety of the season, leaving a significant gap in the Chargers’ offensive line.

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers

To replace Rashawn Slater, the Chargers are shifting Trey Pipkins to left tackle and considering free-agent options, but supporters worry about protecting Justin Herbert’s blindside.

• Team: Baltimore Ravens
• Position: Cornerback

Rookie cornerback Bilhal Kone tore a ligament in his knee during the preseason opener and will miss the rest of the 2025 season.

• Team: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens have elevated depth cornerbacks and are giving more preseason reps to undrafted rookies, with fans hopeful that the team’s pass rush can mask the loss in coverage.

• Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
• Position: Quarterback

Rookie quarterback Will Howard broke the pinky on his throwing hand during training camp and is expected to miss at least three weeks, ending his preseason participation.

• Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

With Will Howard sidelined, the Steelers are giving extended snaps to backup Kyle Allen, and fans are eager to see more of the veteran while keeping an eye on Howard’s recovery.

• Team: Indianapolis Colts
• Position: Quarterback

Anthony Richardson dislocated his pinky finger after a preseason sack, with no clear return date, complicating the team’s quarterback situation.

• Team: Indianapolis Colts

Gardner Minshew is taking first-team reps in Richardson’s absence, with fans split between confidence in Minshew’s experience and disappointment over the QB competition stalling.

• Team: Tennessee Titans
• Positions: Linebacker and Safety

Running back Tyjae Spears is sidelined with an ankle sprain, and linebacker Anfernee Orji is also out, weakening the Titans’ depth heading into joint practices with Atlanta.

• Team: Tennessee Titans

The Titans are promoting Julius Chestnut to share RB duties and giving more defensive reps to special teamers, with fans concerned about overall depth before Week 1.

• Team: Detroit Lions
• Position: Safety

Safety Morice Norris was taken off the field in an ambulance during a preseason game against the Falcons, though he has since returned to the team.

• Team: Detroit Lions

Following Morice Norris’ ambulance trip, the Lions are rotating multiple safeties in practice to ensure readiness, and fans were relieved to learn he returned to team activities.

• Team: Green Bay Packers
• Positions: Multiple

The Packers are missing several key players including WR Jayden Reed, S Zayne Anderson, WR Dontayvion Wicks, RB MarShawn Lloyd, CB Nate Hobbs, and S Xavier McKinney.

• Team: Green Bay Packers

Green Bay is relying on preseason signees and undrafted free agents to fill gaps, but fan forums are buzzing with frustration over the sheer volume of injuries.

• Team: Cleveland Browns

Injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel have pushed rookie Shedeur Sanders into a starting role, prompting the signing of Tyler Huntley and sparking debate among analysts.

• Team: Cleveland Browns

With Pickett and Gabriel down, Cleveland has signed Tyler Huntley and reworked the playbook for Shedeur Sanders, while fans debate whether the team should trade for another veteran.

Experts consistently bring up how preseason injuries are exposing roster vulnerabilities, forcing teams to rely more heavily on backups and reshaping fantasy draft boards. Analysts have dropped certain teams in preseason power rankings, with fan discussions shifting toward realistic expectations instead of championship hopes; some teams are unlikely to make it very far given the extent of these injuries.

With several major injuries already on the books, the early weeks of the 2025 season will likely reward the teams best able to adapt and fill the gaps. While these injuries are unfortunate, fans are bracing for an unpredictable start to the season due to so many early losses. They're encouraging underdog players to seize what's theirs, and, hopefully, this will make for an exciting season of football.