Expected Return Dates for Key NFL Players: Week 1 Fantasy Football Injury Updates for Joe Mixon, Chris Godwin, Brandon Aiyuk, more

September 7, 2025

Nicho's NFL injury status updates and expected return dates for key injured NFL players in Week 1 of 2025. Tantasy football injury updates for Joe Mixon, Chris Godwin, Brandon Aiyuk, more.

The time is here! The 2025 NFL season has officially arrived, and it's that time of the year when we find ourselves talking to our friends, family, loved ones, and co-workers about how fantastic our fantasy football team is (whether they want to hear it or not). While the draft is always fun, it's crucial to monitor injured players and be prepared to address them when their estimated return dates are approaching. In addition, jump on them before our league mates do if they provide value down the stretch.

For this weekly article, I will discuss estimated return dates for injured players and tell you whether you should roster them or not, and when to pick them up. In addition, I will discuss the impact of those injuries and who may see an uptick in opportunities as a result.

Keep following @RotoBallerNFL and me, @NichoRoessler, on X to stay updated with the latest NFL content. Let's dive in!

Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin remained absent from practice for the third straight day on Friday, as the Buccaneers prepare to face their division rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 1. Although Godwin avoided the Physically Unable to Perform list to open the regular season, he has been ruled out for Week 1.

He may not be able to make his 2025 debut until Week 5 or later after disclocating his ankle in Week 7 of last year. A gruesome injury that included a fracture, high ankle sprain, and deltoid ligament tear, along with the ankle dislocation.

With Godwin not on the PUP list, he will be able to continue practicing, to help regain his "football shape," and get reps. In the meantime, fellow wideout Jalen McMillan (neck) is also on the injured list and will miss the first four weeks of the season.

Sources: Buccaneers plan to activate WR Chris Godwin off the Physically Unable to Perform list and have him on their 53-man roster to start the season, but only to begin his ramp-up process for games, not to immediately play in them. Godwin still is unlikely to play until October… pic.twitter.com/zGaaVeTRYc

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 21, 2025

Emeka Egbuka is the biggest beneficiary of these injuries, as he is now slated to be the WR2 in an offense that is projected to be one of the top offenses in the NFL, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield. Tight end Cade Otton should also see more targets in the passing game.

Godwin has been a PPR machine over the last four seasons, with 335 receptions over his last 53 games, but the injury he suffered in 2024 has raised questions about his outlook for the rest of his career.

Fantasy Impact:

• Short-Term: Egbuka and Otton see an uptick in volume and opportunities.

• Long-Term: Godwin's injury was a brutal one. Even when he returns, he will likely be limited, and at best, he is looking to be a flex appeal receiver from Week 8 and beyond.

• Estimated Return Date: Tentatively set to return Week 5 against the Seattle Seahawks

Verdict: If you roster Godwin, ensure you can put him on your IR or have a big bench. He has proven to be a low-end WR1 in his prime, but it's uncertain how much he is involved until about Week 7/8.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears will start the season on the Injured Reserve and miss a minimum of four games. Spears suffered a high ankle sprain in a preseason game, and it will keep him out for close to two months.

With Spears set to miss the start of the season, Tony Pollard is the biggest beneficiary and should be in for a significant snap increase and touches in the Titans' backfield. Coming into the season, it appeared the Titans were going to treat this backfield as a committee with Spears and Pollard, but now the backfield is solely Pollard's to start the season, making him a high-end RB2

Julius Chestnut is listed as the team's RB2 and might see some action when Pollard needs a breather. However, in four career seasons, Chestnut has only accumulated 114 rush yards on 31 attempts, leading to a mere 3.7 YPC, making him not much of a threat to challenge Pollard for rushes.

When Spears returns, he profiles as a low-end RB3/flex option; however, should Pollard go down, Spears has shown what he's capable of. During Weeks 15-17 of the 2024 season, following the ankle injury to Pollard, Spears made the most of his opportunities by scoring 24, 20, and 11 points in PPR leagues during those three weeks, respectively.

#Titans RB Tyjae Spears continues to have an incredible training camp, by all accounts.

Would be HUGE for the offense if Spears is healthy and himself this season. pic.twitter.com/x3R7sBmF6R

— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) August 3, 2025

Fantasy Impact:

• Short-Term: Pollard goes from a low-end RB2 to a true RB2 with upside.

• Long-Term: Spears is one of the better IR stashes at this point in the season, and once he returns, it's possible he and Pollard split 50/50, which makes him a reliable flex option, middle to late part of the fantasy season. Should Pollard get injured, Spears has proven to be a top-20 running back.

• Estimated Return Date: Tentatively set to return Week 5 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Verdict: Stash Spears on your IR if you have the spot available. He's flashed his potential in his opportunities in the NFL with a 4.2 YPC in 184 carries and 609 receiving yards on 82 receptions in two seasons.

Joe Mixon, RB, Houston Texans

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon, who started training camp on the Non-Football Injury list, is expected to be out for an "extended period of time" due to a frustrating foot injury. The injury caught many of us by surprise, and Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio was non-committal on whether running back Mixon will play during the 2025 season.

Veteran Nick Chubb appears to be the biggest beneficiary of this news over Mixon, as he is listed as the team's RB1 with rookie Woody Marks as the team's RB2.

Mixon is starting the season on the reserve/non-football injury list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. Given the news shared by Caserio, it's too risky even to roster Mixon at this point. Last season, Mixon rushed for 1,016 yards on 245 carries and contributed 309 yards through the air on 36 receptions with 12 touchdowns combined. His presence in the offense will certainly be missed.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio was noncommittal about whether Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon will play in 2025.

Story via @Djbienaime:https://t.co/ZZUsqNxk1x

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025

Fantasy Impact:

• Short-Term: Chubb should operate as the team's lead back, and Marks will serve as the complementary back.

• Long-Term: Reports have suggested Mixon may miss the 2025 season, making him hard to trust, even as an IR stash.

• Estimated Return Date: At this point, it's unknown, but at a minimum, Week 5 at the Baltimore Ravens—possibly the entire season.

Verdict: You could roster Mixon on your IR, but at this point, it would be wise to roster someone else. His availability for 2025 is uncertain due to a lingering foot issue, and no reports have shown any progress; he could miss the season.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers officially placed wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list on August 31 to begin the 2025 season, which means he will miss at a minimum the first four games of the year. The 27-year-old suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of last season, which is why he's not ready for the start of 2025.

There are multiple beneficiaries of this injury, but nobody more than All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Last season, Kittle hauled in 78 receptions and 1,106 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, and he has the best rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, who the 49ers just inked to a five-year extension.

Other beneficiaries are second-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. Jennings, who recently restructured his contract to add $3 million worth of incentives, has been a hot topic this offseason after requesting a trade due to contract disputes. While Kittle remains a high-end TE1, Jennings is a WR2, and Pearsall is a WR3/flex appeal.

Aiyuk broke out in a big way in 2023, with 1,342 receiving yards on 75 receptions and hauling in seven touchdowns. Last season, he was holding out due to a contract issue, got a late start to the season, and then proceeded to injure his knee and never found a groove. I expect Aiyuk to be locked in once he returns, making him the best IR stash heading into the season.

Brandon Aiyuk, a sight #49ers fans can’t wait to see. 🎥 by 💁🏼‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/9Fl82diMSM

— Tracy Sandler (@TracyFGSN) August 16, 2025

Fantasy Impact:

• Short-Term: Pearsall, Jennings, and Kittle all get a bump in production and opportunities.

• Long-Term: Aiyuk is one of the best IR stashes entering the 2025 season, as his role on the team could be significant with the departure of Deebo Samuel Sr. in the offseason. Aiyuk may be a league winner down the stretch.

• Estimated Return Date: Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Verdict: Stash Aiyuk immediately - he has league-winning upside at the end of the year, and after a down year in 2024, I expect him to be motivated once he returns.

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