NFL Free Agents Teams Must Consider After Training Camp and Preseason Injuries

It's easy for NFL teams and fans to find optimism in training camp and preseason games. No franchise has acquired a regular-season loss yet, and media reports tend to be positive.

However, the late summer can also be a stressful time of year. Franchises rarely make it to Week 1 completely unscathed, and key injuries can heavily impact a team's fortunes in the regular season. A few notable players have already been bitten by the 2025 injury bug, which may force some teams to dive back into the free-agent player pool.

Here, you'll find a look at some of the top unsigned veterans who could fill openings created by the latest camp and preseason injuries.

WR Amari Cooper

AP Photo/Gregory Bull

The San Francisco 49ers appear unlikely to have wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk for the start of 2025 as he continues to recover from last year's season-ending knee injury. The 49ers also dealt Deebo Samuel in the spring, leaving Jauan Jennings to serve as Brock Purdy's top wideout.

Unfortunately, Jennings suffered a calf injury early in camp that could potentially sideline him for some time.

"Calves can kind of linger, unfortunately," general manager John Lynch told KNBR on Thursday (h/t David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone). "...Eager to get him back, but won't do it until he's ready."

Amari Cooper, who remains a rangy target and precise route-runner, could aid San Francisco as a perimeter target.

While Cooper didn't have impressive numbers with the Buffalo Bills or Cleveland Browns in 2024 (547 yards, 4 TDs), he had bad QB play in Cleveland and was learning a new offense in Buffalo. He's the most prolific receiver still available now that Keenan Allen has rejoined the Los Angeles Chargers.

A return to Buffalo could also make sense, as the Bills are dealing with the absence of Khalil Shakir (high-ankle sprain).

Top Potential Landing Spots: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers

WR Gabe Davis

AP Photo/John Raoux

The Bills are hoping to ride reigning MVP Josh Allen to another deep playoff run. Unfortunately, one of Allen's favorite targets, Khalil Shakir, is currently dealing with a high-ankle sprain.

The good news is that Buffalo believes that Shakir can return for the start of the regular season.

High-ankle sprains can linger, though, and given Shakir's value to the offense—he caught 76 passes for 821 yards and four touchdowns last season—the Bills could afford to add some receiver insurance. Gabe Davis, who spent his first four seasons in Buffalo before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, would be a logical candidate.

Davis failed to impress in Jacksonville, but he had 746 yards and seven touchdowns in 17 games with the Bills in 2023.

The Minnesota Vikings may also want to kick the tires on Davis, as Justin Jefferson is still dealing with a hamstring injury. Minnesota won't have Jordan Addison for the first three games of the season, as he's been suspended for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings

CB Rasul Douglas

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Cornerback Rasul Douglas didn't have a great season in Buffalo last year. The soon-to-be 30-year-old (August 29) started 15 games but allowed an opposing passer rating of 122.0 in coverage.

That hasn't stopped the former playmaker (19 career INTs) from drawing interest this offseason. According to NFL insider Josina Anderson, Douglas received an offer from the Miami Dolphins but declined to take it.

A couple of injuries may have opened up new opportunities for the 80-game starter.

If Douglas is adamant about landing a starting role, he'd be a logical target for the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie third-round pick Justin Walley appeared on his way to earning a starting job in Indy before suffering a torn ACL in a joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens.

If Douglas is open to filling a depth role, the Ravens may also have room for him. They lost rookie sixth-round pick Bilhal Kone to a season-ending knee injury during the preseason opener against Indianapolis.

Kone wasn't likely to play a significant role for the Ravens, who added both Chidobe Awuzie and Jaire Alexander this offseason. However, Douglas could be a valuable bit of veteran depth.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts

OT George Fant

AP Photo

The Los Angeles Chargers were dealt a massive blow this week when Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a ruptured patellar tendon that will end his 2025 season. It's an injury that could have a massive impact, as Slater was set to protect Justin Herbert's blind side while sparking L.A.'s run-oriented offense.

With Slater out, head coach Jim Harbaugh plans to move 2024 first-round pick Joe Alt from right to left tackle and place Trey Pipkins on the right side.

"Nothing set in stone, but that's where we're at," Harbaugh said, per NFL media's Kevin Patra.

The ability to move Alt is big because the crop of pure left tackles pretty much starts and ends with Jedrick Wills Jr.—who plans to sit out most or all of this season while rehabbing from a knee injury, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. However, George Fant has experience at both tackle spots and could compete with Pipkins on the right side.

The 33-year-old appeared in only two games with the Seattle Seahawks last year but has 75 total starts on his resume. Fant is also interested in playing this season, having worked out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in July.

Fant should also interest the Browns, who parted with Wills in the offseason and who dealt with depth issues along the line throughout the 2024 season.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers

CB Asante Samuel Jr.

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. carries his own health concerns after missing all but four games in 2024 with a stinger issue. However, the 2021 second-round pick was a promising cover corner before last season.

Samuel allowed an opposing passer rating of 87.4 in limited action last year and has allowed an opposing passer rating under 100 in all four years of his pro career.

According to The Athletic's Daniel Popper, Samuel's stinger issue isn't new, which makes the corner a bit of a risk-reward option. The Browns, however, should be comfortable adding a defender who might stay healthy to help replace one who definitely won't.

Cleveland lost starting perimeter corner Martin Emerson Jr. to a torn Achilles early in training camp. This has left the Browns with a big question mark opposite Denzel Ward and some future uncertainty in the secondary—Emerson and slot corner Greg Newsome II are both slated to be free agents in 2026.

Samuel, who will turn 26 in October, could potentially become a long-term contributor in Cleveland if he is and can stay healthy. He would make sense for the rebuilding Colts too, given their loss of Walley before the season even began.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts

S Justin Simmons

AP Photo/Jason Allen

Safety Justin Simmons is one of the most prolific free agents still available. A two-time Pro Bowler with the Denver Broncos, he had a strong one-year stint with the Atlanta Falcons in 2024.

In 16 starts last year, Simmons recorded 62 tackles and seven passes defended while allowing an 81.9 opposing passer rating. He signed with Atlanta late last offseason and now has another opportunity to latch on with a playoff hopeful.

The Houston Texans should be very interested in adding Simmons after losing trade acquisition C.J. Gardner-Johnson to a knee injury. According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the injury isn't expected to be season-ending but "will force him to miss time."

The Texans, who have won back-to-back AFC South titles, are looking to make another postseason run. Simmons could undoubtedly help them achieve that goal.

The Ravens could also be in the market for safety help, though they wouldn't offer Simmons a starting role. Rookie first-round pick Malaki Starks is expected to play opposite Kyle Hamilton, but Baltimore has regularly used a three-safety rotation.

Ar'Darius Washington, who played 64 percent of the defensive snaps last season, suffered a torn ACL in May. The Ravens do believe that he can return at some point in 2025, but Simmons could help fill the void early in the year.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans

Edge Za'Darius Smith

AP Photo/Rey Del Rio

The 49ers aren't just dealing with wide receiver injuries. Rookie first-round pick and pass-rusher Mykel Williams suffered a knee injury during a joint practice with the Broncos on Thursday.

According to Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, the 49ers believe they "got lucky" and will only lose Williams for a short time to a hyper-extension. However, San Francisco should still consider adding veteran Za'Darius Smith to round out a rotation that also includes Nick Bosa and trade acquisition Bryce Huff.

Huff, it's worth noting, failed to make an impact with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, which is why he was dealt after the draft.

The Detroit Lions should also consider bringing back Smith, who spent the second half of 2024 with the Franchise. The Lions need depth with both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport returning from season-ending injuries. General manager Brad Holmes has hinted that bringing back Smith is an option.

"Za'Darius did a lot of good things last year for us and we said we’re going to keep in contact with his agent," Holmes told 97.1 The Ticket.

Given the number of injuries Detroit dealt with in 2024, it couldn't possibly hurt to add more insurance at a critical position.

Top Potential Landing Spots: Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers

*Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference.