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We can all agree that sports injuries are the worst. Some great teams and players can get ruined forever with one untimely injury, and we'll all be left wondering what could have been. We saw plenty of notable injuries in the 2024 season, and these players will be working hard to get back on the field.
However, some of these players may never get back to where they once were. Football is one of the most physically demanding sports out there, and the players who recover fully from devastating injuries are the exception, not the rule.
Without further ado, let's look at five injured players you should trade before the 2025 season.
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Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Christian Kirk is entering the last year of his four-year, $72 million contract with the Jaguars in 2025, and he'll have to be at his best if he wants to earn another big payday. Unfortunately for Kirk, he has many things working against him.
There are questions about is Christian Kirk will be back with the Jaguars next season.
Christian said, "I would love to be here." pic.twitter.com/gqx5tX64Me
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) January 6, 2025
For starters, he's coming off back-to-back season-ending injuries; a groin tear in 2023 and a collarbone fracture in 2024. Even if these injuries are fully healed, overcoming the mental struggles of suffering two consecutive major injuries is easier said than done.
The other thing that is working against him is the Jaguars' direction. He's no longer the team's WR1, as Brian Thomas Jr. is now the leading wideout.
He was in plenty of trade rumors last year before he got hurt, and those rumors should only intensify in 2025. He's 28, has an uncertain future, and a concerning injury history. It's best to move on from him while you can.
Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
Just a couple of years ago, Nick Chubb was on track to become a Hall of Famer, but now his NFL future is in jeopardy. In Week 2 of the 2023 season, Chubb suffered a devastating injury to the same knee he once hurt in college.
He spent a long time trying to recover, but once he came back in Week 7 of the 2024 season, it was clear that he was no longer the force he once was. His season ended with a broken foot, and the Browns will probably move on from him in the offseason.
Due to his track record, there will be a few teams who might be interested in his services, but don't expect a Derrick Henry-type bounce-back season for Chubb. Instead, take advantage of the dynasty owners who do.
Stefon Diggs, WR, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans went all-in during the offseason, adding Stefon Diggs to an already loaded WR room. Unfortunately, this move backfired due to an injury crisis. Tank Dell suffered a terrible injury near the end of the season, Nico Collins missed five games, and Diggs wasn't safe either.
Stefon Diggs RN … pic.twitter.com/yJHBbpgpBS
— Air Raid | Buffalo (@TheBillsGuys) February 7, 2025
Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8 and missed the rest of the season. His numbers before the injury were solid, but a step below his production in previous seasons. He averaged 62.0 receiving yards per game, the fewest mark of his career since the 2018 season.
Diggs is now a free agent, and while he has expressed his desire to return to the Texans, it'll be hard to justify keeping him in dynasty leagues considering his age (will turn 32 in November), his injury, and the fact that Nico Collins will be the Texans' WR1 moving forward.
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks has only touched the ball 12 times in his young NFL career, with nine carries and three catches. Unfortunately, he won't get to touch the ball again for quite a while, as he tore his ACL in Week 14 and will likely be out for most of the 2025 season.
Brooks had torn that same ACL 13 months prior, and although he will be motivated to bounce back, the truth is that he'll never be the same player again.
The Panthers' 25-year-old RB1 Chuba Hubbard was the team's best player last season, and they signed him to a four-year, $33.2 million extension back in November, so Brooks will likely never get a fair chance in Carolina unless a miracle happens.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Let's end with the most controversial inclusion on this list. Anthony Richardson's NFL career got off to a hot start, peaking as the dynasty QB5 according to KeepTradeCut's crowdsourced rankings.
Anthony Richardson vs. Cam Newton in their first 15 games in the NFL
Richardson modeled his game after Newton growing up & was comped to him before the NFL Draft
Cam was special, but do you still believe in Anthony Richardson? Will he live up to expectation with the Colts? pic.twitter.com/oDqPmr30oQ
— The Colts Cast (@TheColtsCast) February 3, 2025
Unfortunately, injuries ended his rookie season after just four games, but there were still plenty of high hopes for him in 2024. Richardson had a terrific start to the year and climbed back up the rankings to be the dynasty QB6 after his season debut.
But what came next was a nightmare. He suffered an oblique injury, got benched for Joe Flacco after voluntarily taking himself out for one play in Week 8, returned in Week 11, and had his season ended by a back injury in Week 16.
Richardson can still produce in fantasy football due to his elite rushing ability, as he averaged 20.2 fantasy points per game from Week 11 to Week 16, good enough to be the QB8 during that span. However, his ability to win games in real life has been questioned in recent months.
His 47.7 completion percentage last season was the fewest of any quarterback with over 200 passes in a season since fellow Florida Gator Tim Tebow in 2011.
With Colts GM Chris Ballard recently stating that Richardson "will face competition" if he wants to remain the team's starting QB in 2025, his future in the league could be in serious jeopardy.
Keeping Richardson around would be a huge risk, and while there's a small chance that the risk will pay off, the wiser and safer move would be to cash out now while you can still get something for him.
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