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Panic crept in as 7 Week 1 injuries landed in 2025. The timing matters: most affected teams face crucial early games and fantasy managers must react fast. NFL reports and ESPN inactives show starters ruled out, a kicker placed on IR, and a superstar listed questionable but playing. My take: this slate will compress waiver priorities and create boomerang waiver winners. Which of these knockouts should you trade for, bench, or target on waivers this week?
What Week 1 injuries mean for your fantasy lineups in 2025
• Chris Godwin ruled out Week 1 (ankle); Buccaneers WR targets drop.
• Tyler Bass placed on injured reserve; Bills will use Matt Prater.
• Darren Waller out Week 1 (hip); Dolphins TE targets go thin.
• Jaylen Wright out (knee); Dolphins RB depth leans on Achane.
• Christian McCaffrey listed questionable (calf) but active; late scratch risk.
• Isaiah Likely ruled out (foot); Ravens tight end looks change immediately.
The seven injuries that will reshuffle Week 1 depth charts
1 – Chris Godwin out: who inherits his targets for immediate upside?
Chris Godwin’s Week 1 absence (ankle) removes a top pass-catcher from Tampa Bay’s plan. Fantasy managers should expect Baker Mayfield to target Mike Evans and rookie depth more often. If you need WR help, check waiver wires for the Bucs’ next-in-line receivers. Try to grab a Buccaneers backup this morning.
2 – Tristan Wirfs out: does the Bucs’ blindside crumble?
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With Tristan Wirfs sidelined (knee), run- and pass-protection for Tampa Bay weakens. That raises pressure and sack risk for the QB, lowering ceiling for skill players. Consider boxing in your lineup decisions around shorter passing-game plays this week.
3 – Tyler Bass to IR: where the Bills find a kicker replacement
Buffalo put Tyler Bass on IR, meaning Matt Prater-or another veteran-handles kicking duties. Fantasy kickers now matter for matchups; Patriots and other teams facing Buffalo should expect a different kicking profile. Kickers on waivers are worth a look if you play the position.
4 – Darren Waller out: Miami’s tight end landscape opens up
Darren Waller’s hip issue knocks him out of Week 1, shifting TE snaps to Julian Hill and Tanner Conner. That drop in established targets makes streaming the position this week a priority for tight-end-hungry lineups. If you roster Waller, bench him until clarity.
5 – Jaylen Wright out: De’Von Achane’s role grows immediately
Jaylen Wright’s knee absence pushes more work to De’Von Achane and rookie depth options. Achane’s usage bump could produce sneaky weekly upside, especially in PPR formats. If you need an RB this week, consider adding Achane or another Dolphins backup.
6 – Christian McCaffrey questionable but active: start or bench dilemma?
Christian McCaffrey was limited in practice and listed questionable (calf) but was later active. Expect limited workload risk and higher bust probability. For safe play, if you have a reliable RB2, consider riding the backup until McCaffrey logs a full practice. Play cautiously.
7 – Isaiah Likely out: Ravens shift red-zone chemistry fast
Isaiah Likely’s Week 1 absence (foot) means Mark Andrews will soak more red-zone targets, but backup tight ends will be inconsistent. If your opponent faces Baltimore, consider benching weak TE starts and targeting Andrews if available. Short-term value shifts are immediate.
The key numbers shaping Week 1 lineup moves this week
| Metric | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Kickers on IR | 1 kicker | Bills replace Tyler Bass with veteran options |
| High-profile WRs out | 1 starter | Buccaneers lose Chris Godwin for Week 1 |
| Questionable RBs | 1 star | McCaffrey questionable, workload risk for 49ers |
How much will these seven hits alter 2025 fantasy seasons?
Short-term: expect heavy waiver churn and altered start decisions for Week 1. Long-term: some injuries are temporary, but early missed snaps can change ownership and season momentum. Will you trade now for a bounce-back candidate, or wait for clearer injury updates?
Sources
- https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-1-injury-report-player-statuses-for-all-16-games-2025-season
- https://www.espn.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/FFSundayInactives-46069950/nfl-fantasy-football-espn-injured-inactives-watchlist-week-1-2025-september-7
- https://www.si.com/nfl/cowboys-eagles-release-initial-injury-reports-2025-nfl-season-opener
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.