We’re almost halfway into June and NFL minicamps have started up. While it’s still the summer and we have a ways to go until Week 1, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of player news coming out that could have an impact on fantasy football for 2025. Here, we’re going to highlight all the relevant stories you should be monitoring during minicamps. The Yahoo Sports staff is tracking all the latest news coming out of minicamps live here.
Brian Thomas Jr. injured during practice
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ second-year receiver went down hard in practice on Wednesday and had to be checked out by medical staff. It was the shoulder that BTJ landed on, and head coach Liam Coen told reporters after practice Thomas is “fine.”
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Fantasy impact: Low
Coen said the top wideout is OK and that’s good enough for us. For now. There’s no reason to worry about this injury but it’s definitely worth monitoring as the Jaguars continue to practice and into training camp.
Terry McLaurin skips minicamp
McLaurin is entering the final season of a three-year, $68.3 million contract with the Washington Commanders. Always consistent, McLaurin had his fifth straight season of over 1,000 receiving yards in 2024. With the addition of rookie QB Jayden Daniels, McLaurin was able to break out (sort of), scoring a career-high 13 touchdowns. After that performance, McLaurin feels he’s underpaid and would like Washington to give him an extension before 2025.
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Fantasy impact: Low
It’s still so early in the summer that these two sides should come to some sort of agreement on an extension. While the Commanders did add WR Deebo Samuel Sr. this offseason, there isn’t a ton of depth behind him and McLaurin. Plus, WR Noah Brown was carted off from practice on Wednesday. We’ll see if this situation bleeds into training camp or preseason, but if not, there’s no reason for fantasy managers to be concerned right now.
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Malik Nabers ‘progressing’ from toe injury
The New York Giants’ top wideout has been dealing with a toe ailment this offseason and is absent from practice during minicamp, per head coach Brian Daboll. Nabers has been present for walk-throughs.
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Fantasy impact: Low/Medium
There’s no reason to be overly concerned with Nabers at this point. We’ll also be able to see where he’s at during training camp and preseason before season-long drafts begin. The reason we have it between low and medium is the type of injury. Nabers is a wide receiver, and a very good one. Toe injuries can be nagging, given the position and workload. So this is definitely something to keep an eye on this summer.
Jonnu Smith holding out
Smith is coming off a career season for Miami in 2024. He set career highs with 88 catches for 884 yards while tying his career high with eight touchdowns. As a result, Smith is looking for a contract extension before the season starts. He’s owed $3.49 million in 2025 before he can become a free agent next offseason. The Dolphins seem reluctant to pay the 29-year-old and the feeling is he’ll be traded.
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Fantasy impact: High
Smith is currently ranked sixth at the tight end position by Yahoo’s analysts. So, if Smith is traded, it would alter the TE landscape in fantasy football quite a bit. There’s still plenty of time for Miami to sign Smith to an extension, but that doesn’t seem like a priority at this point. If Smith is traded, it will certainly eat into his snaps/targets, depending on the team. It also could thrust one of Miami’s depth tight ends into a bigger role. Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown and Tanner Conner are the other TEs on the roster.
Broncos bring in J.K. Dobbins for depth
The Denver Broncos signed veteran RB JK Dobbins to a one-year deal this week during their minicamp, which started Tuesday. Dobbins, 26, joins a backfield that is expected to feature rookie RJ Harvey, Audric Estimé and Jaleel McLaughlin this season.
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Fantasy impact: High
Many believed we’d go into 2025 draft season with Harvey as the No. 1 back for the Broncos. Now, Denver could opt for more of a committee/hot hand situation at running back. So Harvey’s value takes a big hit for now until we see how training camp and preseason shakes out. Dobbins has a lengthy injury history, so there’s always the chance he misses games. That, coupled with the fact the Broncos took Harvey with a second-round pick, should suggest he’ll still see the field plenty. Estimé and McLaughlin may not see the field much if Dobbins stays healthy.
A-Rich injury opens up chance for Daniel Jones?
Indianapolis Colts QB Anthony Richardson is out for minicamps as he deals with a shoulder injury. Head coach Shane Steichen told reporters there’s hope Richardson will be ready to go for training camp. For now, backup QB Daniel Jones is getting a crack with the first-team offense.
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Fantasy impact: Medium
This situation is definitely worth monitoring, especially if Richardson is your QB in dynasty and/or keeper formats. The former fourth overall pick has proven nothing in the NFL through two seasons, mostly due to injuries. We know what Richardson can do with his legs and when the play breaks down, but his passing numbers through his first 15 starts are concerning with a 67.8 passer rating and 11-13 TD-INT ratio. Danny Dimes isn’t much better in that category, but he’s still just 28 years old and has found success in the NFL at times. Richardson’s injury could give Jones a path to the starting job during training camp. If that’s the case, it could impact the QB position and Colts skill position players in fantasy.
Speaking of QBs, Saints have polarizing battle
The New Orleans Saints are looking for a new starting QB with Derek Carr’s retirement. The main battle is expected to be between rookie Tyler Shough and second-year pro Spencer Rattler. Jake Haener, a 2023 draft pick, could also get into the mix. For now, Shough is expected to be at the top of the depth chart. But that can change quickly once we get into training camp and preseason.
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Fantasy impact: Medium
The only reason we have this at a medium is because there aren’t too many appealing skill players on the Saints for fantasy football. Starting RB Alvin Kamara should get a ton of touches regardless of who is at QB, so his value shouldn’t be drastically impacted here. Chris Olave is ranked as the WR32 on Yahoo and is an intriguing sleeper pick given his ceiling if Shough or Rattler ends up being good. But really, those are the only two important names unless you’re in a keeper/dynasty league or deeper season-long format.
Second-year breakout coming for MHJ?
One should never overreact too much when it comes to looks. Particularly when it comes to fantasy football. But it’s hard to ignore Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and the growing hype around his second NFL season. I mean, come on:
Fantasy impact: Low
We’re never going to tell you to get super excited about drafting anyone based on muscle size. With that said, MHJ looks like he’s in great shape entering 2025. In what was widely considered a poor rookie season, MHJ still posted 885 yards on 62 catches for eight touchdowns. For most rookie wideouts, those numbers would be above average. Yahoo analysts have Harrison as WR20 in their rankings for 2025 as of this summer. There’s a lot to like about Harrison at that spot if he can convert more targets this season.
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