Injury Watch, Fantasy Focus: McCaffrey and Parsons Questionable for Week 1

As the NFL prepares to officially kick off the 2025 season, fantasy managers and fans alike are anxiously tracking injury reports that could reshape the opening week. Two of the league’s biggest stars—San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons—headline the list of key players listed as questionable for Week 1. Their game-day statuses carry major implications not just for their teams but also for millions of fantasy football lineups.

Christian McCaffrey: Fantasy Football’s Crown Jewel

McCaffrey has long been considered the gold standard in fantasy football, a player capable of single-handedly swinging matchups with his dual-threat ability as both a runner and receiver. Coming off another stellar 2024 campaign, he entered draft season as a consensus top pick in nearly every league.

Now, with his availability in question for Week 1, fantasy managers are scrambling. The 49ers have labeled him day-to-day with a minor lower-body issue, though head coach Kyle Shanahan has not committed to his workload against the Arizona Cardinals.

For fantasy players, the uncertainty creates a dilemma:

Start him at risk of limited snaps?

Or pivot to backups like Elijah Mitchell, who could see more work?

If McCaffrey sits, it could completely reshape fantasy outcomes in Week 1 and give San Francisco’s offense an early test of its depth.

Micah Parsons: Defensive Force in Question

While defensive players don’t typically dominate fantasy football discussions, Micah Parsons is a rare exception. The Cowboys’ superstar edge rusher is not only a Defensive Player of the Year candidate but also a critical chess piece for Dallas’ opening showdown against the New York Giants.

Parsons is nursing a hamstring injury, and though the Cowboys remain hopeful he’ll play, his workload may be limited. His absence—or even reduced effectiveness—could drastically alter Dallas’ defensive game plan, potentially giving Giants quarterback Daniel Jones more breathing room in the pocket.

For fantasy managers in IDP (Individual Defensive Player) leagues, Parsons’ health is equally pivotal. Few defenders can rack up points with sacks and tackles like he can, making his availability a high-stakes variable.

These two injuries highlight a larger Week 1 theme: uncertainty. Other notable names—such as receivers recovering from camp injuries or running backs battling preseason knocks—are also shaping the fantasy landscape.

Managers may look to waiver wire pickups or flex options as insurance.

DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) players are recalibrating lineups, weighing the upside of backups poised for expanded roles.

Betting markets are reacting as well, with oddsmakers shading spreads based on the likelihood of McCaffrey or Parsons suiting up.

As of Sunday morning, both Christian McCaffrey and Micah Parsons remain questionable—a word that strikes fear in fantasy players but hope in opposing fans. Their final statuses could come down to pregame warmups, keeping everyone guessing until the last possible moment.

One thing is certain: when two of the NFL’s most impactful players sit on the fence between “in” and “out,” the ripple effects are felt across locker rooms, fantasy leagues, and living rooms everywhere.