NFL Players Returning From Injury We Can't Wait to See in 2025 Training Camps

The 2025 NFL season isn't far away. The last mandatory minicamps have ended, and the league announced training camp dates for all 32 teams on Wednesday.

Training camp isn't a sufficient substitute for real, meaningful football games, of course. However, the preparation period can provide some satisfaction by giving fans an early glimpse at new coaches, new systems and new players. In some cases, camp will also provide a long-anticipated look at players returning from significant 2024 injuries.

While players on the mend might not draw quite as much offseason buzz as marquee free-agent signings or top draft choices, they can have a major impact on a team's trajectory. In the case of some stars, they'll make games much more enjoyable to watch, too.

Here, we'll examine a few injured NFL standouts who are expected to participate in training camp, any relevant offseason updates and what to watch for once camps open around the league next month.

Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Detroit Lions

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

The Detroit Lions were the best team in the NFC during the 2024 regular season. However, they battled an alarming number of defensive injuries, which helped lead to an early divisional-round exit.

The biggest injury was sustained by star pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. The 2023 Pro Bowler appeared to be on his way to a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber campaign when he suffered a broken fibula five games into the season.

At that point, the 24-year-old had already accumulated 7.5 sacks and 27 quarterback pressures.

Lions fans will love to see their best defensive player back on the field. His return could be even more important, though, as Detroit will be adjusting to the loss of defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Glenn has been replaced by former linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard. While he should maintain some level of continuity on defense, having one of the league's top sack artists back will be a major boon.

Hutchinson, who was fully cleared in May, should be good to go when Lions veterans report on July 19.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/John Raoux

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence hasn't quite played up to his billing as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft. When healthy, though, he's flashed the type of potential that could eventually make him a top-tier signal-caller.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old wasn't fully healthy last season. He missed time with a concussion before ultimately landing on injured reserve with an AC joint sprain.

New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen stated in April that he plans to have Lawrence on a "pitch count" this offseason. However, the quarterback was healthy enough to participate in OTAs and minicamp and told reporters that the sleeve he was spotted wearing wasn't related to the shoulder injury.

"Just a little bit of soreness," Lawrence said. "The compression helps just relieve some of that, but that's all it is so nothing I'm concerned about."

Barring a surprise, Lawrence should be on the field when the Jags open camp on July 22. It'll be exciting to see him back for a couple of reasons.

For one, his supporting cast has a new playmaker in rookie Travis Hunter. Secondly, Coen's offense helped Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield have a Pro Bowl-caliber campaign last season.

With a QB-friendly system and an improved receiving corps, Lawrence could be headed toward his best campaign yet.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Matt Ludtke

When healthy, Christian McCaffrey has traditionally been one of the most exciting players in the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers' star running back was named the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 2,023 scrimmage yards and 21 touchdowns (tied with Raheem Mostert).

Unfortunately, McCaffrey never appeared healthy last season. He was sidelined early in the year by Achilles tendonitis, returned in Week 10 and suffered a PCL injury that ended his campaign after just four games.

The good news is that the 29-year-old appears on track to be at 100 percent when 49ers camp opens on July 22.

"I feel great," McCaffrey told reporters at the end of minicamp (begins at the 40-second mark). "I think this offseason, I spent a lot of time kinda building back a base ...wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs."

It's always good to see the three-time Pro Bowler attacking defenses with his elite dual-threat ability. It'll be fun to see him in camp going against a new-look defense—loaded with rookies and again helmed by coordinator Robert Saleh. It'll also be interesting to see how head coach Kyle Shanahan plans to use him in 2025.

Quarterback Brock Purdy will face higher expectations this season after receiving a five-year, $265 million extension. The 49ers will face some shuffling in the receiving corps, as Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from a torn ACL—and unlikely to return by the start of camp—while Deebo Samuel was traded to the Washington Commanders.

Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall are likely to be San Francisco's top two wideouts when the season opens, which could mean a high volume of work for tight end George Kittle and McCaffrey.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

We're looking forward to seeing Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy in training camp because we didn't get to see much of him at all last year.

The 2024 first-round pick out of Michigan appeared to be battling for the starting job when a preseason knee injury ended his rookie campaign.

Fortunately, McCarthy appeared to be close to 100 percent during minicamp and even impressed his future top target with his arm strength.

"He definitely has an arm," wideout Justin Jefferson said. "That's for sure. He can definitely zip it whenever he needs to."

Training camp, which will open on July 22, should give fans an idea of exactly what that arm can deliver in head coach Kevin O'Connell's offense. That system—and pass-catchers like Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson—helped Sam Darnold have a Pro Bowl campaign in 2024 and land a lucrative three-year, $100.5 million deal in 2025 free agency.

Can McCarthy replicate Darnold's success? Could he bring an even higher ceiling to Minnesota's offense? These questions won't be answered until well into the regular season, but we can't wait to get our first good look at the 22-year-old in almost a full calendar year.

Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, WRs, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Last season, the New Orleans Saints got off to a 2-0 start before injuries began to mount and the losses piled up. Top receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed were among the team's most notable injuries.

Olave suffered two concussions in 2024 and didn't see the field after Week 9, while Shaheed only appeared in six games before suffering a torn meniscus that ended his year. Fortunately, both receivers should be back when the Saints open camp on July 22.

Shaheed reportedly looked healthy during OTAs:

Olave, meanwhile, was cleared to resume practicing back in December, though there was no reason for him to return to the playing field late in a lost season.

The Saints will benefit greatly from having both men back, for a couple of reasons. For one, New Orleans has a new head coach in Kellen Moore, who is likely to revamp the offense significantly.

Secondly, the Saints are about to stage a quarterback competition between Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough.

Derek Carr retired shortly after April's draft, which means New Orleans will have a new starting quarterback in 2025. The battle between the three young signal-callers should be thrilling, and we can't wait to see Olave and Shaheed contribute to that.

Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

The Dallas Cowboys were another team impacted by injuries in 2024. Quarterback Dak Prescott appeared in only eight games before suffering a hamstring issue that required season-ending surgery.

Fortunately, the 31-year-old was back in the QB1 role for minicamp and showing a strong early connection with new No. 2 receiver George Pickens, according to Patrik Walker of the team's official website:

The arrival of Pickens, who was acquired in a post-draft trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is part of the reason we're excited to see Prescott in camp. He should complement top target CeeDee Lamb and help open things up in the passing game.

Dallas also has a new head coach in Brian Schottenheimer who will likely bring a few new wrinkles to the offense. He was the offensive coordinator the past two seasons and probably won't bring sweeping changes.

However, former head coach Mike McCarthy was the play-caller, and Schottenheimer will have a few different philosophies.

How will Prescott look in camp with a new system and a new perimeter playmaker? Hopefully good enough to justify the massive four-year, $240 million extension he signed last September.

Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

As long as the Kansas City Chiefs have Andy Reid on the sideline and Patrick Mahomes under center, we're going to enjoy watching them. However, the team's 16th-ranked offense wasn't quite as entertaining in 2024 as it has been in years past.

Part of the problem was a lack of difference-making targets at wide receiver. Kansas City saw flashes from then-rookie Xavier Worthy and got contributions from in-season addition DeAndre Hopkins.

However, the offense lost a lot when Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending LCL tear in Week 4.

At the time of the injury, the 25-year-old appeared to be on his way to being Mahomes' newest go-to target. In less than four full games, he caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

At the end of Chiefs minicamp, Reid told reporters that both Rice and rookie tackle Josh Simmons should be healthy for the start of training camp, which will open on July 21.

"They're both ready to go, yeah," Reid said. "They actually got great work in in these camps here."

With Rice healthy, the Kansas City offense will have a real chance to rebound in 2025. Simmons should boost Mahomes' protection, Worthy will have another offseason of experience under his belt, and a slimmer Travis Kelce might provide a little more juice from the tight end position.