This article takes a deep dive into the surprising wave of high-profile injuries and early IR moves that are already rattling NFL rosters in 2025. It surveys major names like Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington, examines leaguewide trends in injured reserve usage, studies team-level impacts and front office responses, and forecasts which current injuries might yet turn into IR designations. The tone is analytical, grounded in data, and intent on illuminating how “early” IR is becoming a disruptive force.
Key Players Already on Injured Reserve
Every team braces for injuries, but the number of prominent starters already shelved in 2025 is raising eyebrows. Baltimore placed defensive tackles Nnamdi Madubuike and Broderick Washington on IR on September 27, 2025. Madubuike, a two-time Pro Bowler, was sidelined by a neck injury sustained during Baltimore’s Week 2 win over Cleveland. He recorded 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 QB hits across only 2 games in 2025 before the IR designation. Head Coach John Harbaugh later confirmed that Madubuike’s season is over.
Washington, dealing with an ankle injury, had logged 4 tackles in 2025 before landing on IR. To compensate, the Ravens added Brent Urban and Zaire Mitchell-Paden to the active roster and elevated C.J. Okoye and Josh Tupou from the practice squad.
Some other noteworthy IR placements in 2025 that have already made headlines include Braëlon Allen (Jets, RB/KR), who was placed on IR after sustaining a sprained MCL during Week 4. George Kittle (49ers, TE) is already on IR recovering from a hamstring injury and is unlikely to play by Week 6. Dorian Strong (Bills, CB, rookie) was placed on IR due to a neck injury and will be sidelined until at least Week 10. The Jets also replaced Braëlon Allen by signing Khalil Herbert as a replacement.
Additional IR names include Tyreek Hill, Malik Nabers, Aaron Jones, Jaylon Johnson, Nick Bosa, Maxwell Hairston, Kaleb McGary, Rashawn Slater, Jalen McMillan, and Khalil Mack, all of whom appear among IR listings as of early October 2025.
Trends in Early-Season IR Usage
The pace and timing of IR designations are shifting — and teams may be growing more aggressive about ruling players out for extended periods earlier. Over the last several seasons, teams often tried to ride minor injuries past early games, expecting gradual recovery. But 2025 is seeing a front-loaded wave of IR placements. The fact that multiple starters — especially on defense — are already off the books suggests teams are less willing to treat serious injuries as manageable week-to-week.
The league’s rule changes around IR and return designations may play a role: clubs may exercise their two designations for return earlier, freeing roster flexibility later. By early October, the roster transaction logs show 236 players placed on IR in 2025 across all teams.
Comparatively, injury trackers hint that IR volume is ahead of past norms.
The aggressiveness to designate early may derive from a strategic decision: rather than fuse patchwork lineups week to week, teams may prefer clarity — IR moves create roster certainty earlier, forcing front offices to act decisively.
Ramifications for Teams Losing Depth
The loss of key contributors to IR carries consequences: disrupted rotations, relied-upon backups thrust into action, and shifts in front office priorities. Baltimore’s interior D-line takes a substantial hit. Losing Madubuike and Washington removes both a premier run stuffer and a reliable rotational piece. Meanwhile, Travis Jones was already listed as questionable with an ankle issue.
The Ravens elevated Brent Urban, C.J. Okoye, and Josh Tupou to plug holes.
Lacking interior strength, Baltimore may concede rushing yards more heavily, especially against teams that exploit trenches. The absence of Madubuike’s pressure inside will force reliance on edge defenders to generate disruption.
Allen’s IR designation forced New York’s offense and special teams to reconfigure. His role in short-yardage situations and as a return specialist was meaningful. The Jets responded by signing Khalil Herbert to the 53-man roster, giving them a veteran backfield option with return experience. Meanwhile, Isaiah Davis is expected to receive an expanded role.
With Dorian Strong going on IR and Maxwell Hairston still inactive with an LCL injury, Buffalo’s cornerback depth is taxed. To fill the void, the Bills added Jimmy Ciarlo, a linebacker, in a hybrid or nickel role. That stretch of vulnerability could expose the secondary in matchups against potent receiver sets.
The departure of a star TE like George Kittle creates cascading impacts. The 49ers may rely more heavily on backup tight ends and adjust passing schemes away from mid-field red zone sets. Across the league, teams losing high-end talent early on IR face restructured snap distributions, increased wear on backups, and a more reactive trade or waiver wire posture.
Front Offices’ Responses & Roster Moves
Teams dealing with sudden losses must act swiftly — via promotions, signings, trades, and practice squad maneuvers. The Ravens’ promotion of Urban and Mitchell-Paden, and elevation of Okoye and Tupou, illustrate how teams lean on internal depth.
The Jets’ signing of Herbert is a case of external help, tapping known veterans rather than untested rookies. Buffalo’s conversion of Jimmy Ciarlo to shore up secondary depth is a creative roster pivot. Other teams might explore trades or future conditional deals to mitigate midseason IR hits. The aggressive early use of IR also creates more urgency for waiver wire bids and deeper scouting of hidden gems on practice squads.
Is This IR Wave Higher Than Normal?
The number and prominence of early IR designations in 2025 suggest a steeper curve than in prior seasons. Comparing tracked IR rosters, data shows a longer list of notable players on IR this year, including Joe Burrow, Tyreek Hill, Malik Nabers, Nick Bosa, and Aaron Jones.
Meanwhile, the 236-player IR count in 2025 implies heavier usage than might have been expected at this early stage. While calendar-by-calendar comparisons are limited, analysts agree that this early wave is unusual. Teams now appear more willing to designate long-term injuries earlier than linger on ambiguous injuries week to week.
NFL injury news
That reality is clear: headlines about Madubuike, Kittle, Braëlon Allen, Dorian Strong, and others dominate the narrative. Front offices and coaching staff now operate under altered assumptions: that starters may not return quickly, and roster strategy must adapt. Following the NFL injury news in 2025, the early wave of IR designations is already reshaping team rosters and depth charts.
Forecasting Next IR Candidates
Which currently injured or hobbled players may ultimately be placed on IR? Tyreek Hill is already on IR. Given his play style and history, a recurrence or setback makes a full-season IR move plausible. Malik Nabers is another candidate who may join the IR ranks if his recovery curve worsens. Nick Bosa remains on IR; if his injury lingers, the 49ers could extend his stay. Joe Mixon and Tyjae Spears are eligible to return from IR in Week 5. If setbacks arise, their IR status may be extended or converted to season-long.
Rashawn Slater, Jaylon Johnson, and Jalen McMillan could escalate to full IR depending on recovery. Other names to monitor include Kolton Miller, Maxwell Hairston, Kaleb McGary, Khalil Mack, and Jalen McMillan, all of whom remain on IR trackers.
Strategic Implications & Takeaways
This wave of IR placements so early in the 2025 season signals shifts in roster strategy, injury risk tolerance, and roster flexibility. Teams are no longer tolerating “maybe week to week” ambiguities for long. The readiness to send stars to IR forces earlier roster clarity and demands contingency planning. The front offices that can pivot — promoting internal depth, making astute signings, trading proactively — may outperform those that scramble.
From a competitive standpoint, teams with deeper benches will have an advantage as this IR wave continues. Depth is now not just desirable — it is essential. Finally, fantasy and analytics models must adjust early IR moves skew projections, force early roster churn, and elevate the value of backup and unheralded contributors. The early IR moves of 2025, anchored by big names like Madubuike ““, Kittle, and Allen, signal a more brutal, unforgiving landscape of injuries. Roster architects will be tested all season.
