

The Eight Injury Situations For 2025 We Must Get Right with ESPN's Stephania Bell (Episode 897)
17 snips Aug 19, 2025
Joining the discussion is Stephania Bell, ESPN's Senior Writer and Injury Analyst, known for her expertise in fantasy football. They dive into crucial injury scenarios impacting the upcoming season. Stephania shares insights on Stefon Diggs' unique recovery methods—yacht parties included! They also discuss Christian McCaffrey's current training, Joe Mixon's concerning silence, and the potential for Chris Godwin to miss significant time. The duo highlights the unpredictability of Kenneth Walker's lingering foot issues and J.K. Dobbins' recovery journey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
McCaffrey: Reward Outweighs Achilles Risk
- Stephania Bell is bullish on Christian McCaffrey's 2025 outlook despite prior Achilles tendonitis and PCL injury.
- She trusts his meticulous rehab, recent practice consistency, and tailored workload to outweigh the risk.
Dislocated Ankle Carries Hidden Risks
- Ankle fracture-dislocations like Chris Godwin's carry big uncertainty from bone, soft-tissue and possible cartilage damage.
- Stephania expects a cautious, multi-week ramp and sees the Buccaneers prioritizing long-term health over week-one availability.
Avoid Betting On Immediate Aiyuk Return
- For complex knee injuries like Brandon Aiyuk's, avoid drafting him as a bet on immediate return without an IR spot.
- Expect slower performance recovery and wait to evaluate his in-game confidence before rostering him heavily.