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Aikman: Less practice means more soft-tissue injuries
15 Mar
Summary
- Reduced NFL practice impacts player conditioning for the season.
- Aikman believes softer training leads to more soft-tissue injuries.
- Quarterback protection rules may overburden defensive players.
Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman has voiced concerns regarding recent NFL rule changes aimed at enhancing player safety. While acknowledging the benefits of protecting players, Aikman suggests that a significant reduction in training camp intensity and practice frequency may inadvertently contribute to more injuries.
Aikman noted that the current player-friendly practice schedules, often a result of collective bargaining, mean players are less physically taxed during the offseason and pre-season. He believes this lack of intense, on-field conditioning prevents players from adequately toughening their bodies, leading to a rise in soft-tissue injuries and muscle strains, particularly at the beginning of the regular season.
Furthermore, Aikman commented on the evolving rules that heavily protect quarterbacks. He feels that while this is advantageous for signal-callers, it places an excessive burden on defensive players who must navigate intense pass rushes without unduly contacting the quarterback, potentially leading to different types of physical strain.
