Jahlani Tavai to Miss at Least Four Games

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

Tavai carries cap hits north of $5 million for this season and the next two, from an extension he signed ahead of the 2024 campaign. That salary makes him likely to reclaim a lineup spot when healthy. But we'll have to see when the calf allows that.

Houston LB Christian Harris endured a similar start to last season, missing loads of offseason and camp time with a recurrent calf issue that ultimately limited him to just three games. That, of course, has no connection with Tavai's situation. But it can stand at least as a warning of the downside risk.

Christian Elliss looks likely to fill in primarily for Tavai. Other candidates for playing time include Jack Gibbens and S/LB hybrid Marte Mapu.

Tavai played 82% of the snaps last year, but that rate declined over the season's final quarter. We had him projected for 70% playing time this year, with the big-money addition of LB Robert Spillane installing a new corps leader.

Neither Tavai nor Elliss looks like a good bet for much IDP impact in most leagues.