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NFL Injuries: What Keeps Players Out?
29 Jul
Summary
- Achilles and knee ligament tears often require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Concussions pose risks, with ongoing efforts to improve helmet safety.
- Hamstring and ankle injuries vary in severity, impacting play duration.
Injuries are a significant factor in NFL team performance, affecting both success and failure throughout the rigorous 17-game regular season. Depth on rosters becomes crucial for navigating the demanding schedule, which includes intense training camps and preseason games. Players frequently suffer from a variety of injuries that can halt their participation for extended periods.
Common and severe injuries include tears of the Achilles tendon and knee ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL). These often necessitate surgery and can require months of rehabilitation, potentially ending a player's season. Concussions, brain injuries resulting from head impacts, are another major concern, with the league actively working to enhance helmet technology and protective gear to mitigate risks.
Other prevalent injuries involve the hamstring muscles, varying from mild pulls to complete tears that might require surgery. High ankle sprains, affecting ligaments above the ankle, take considerably longer to heal than standard ankle sprains. Hip pointers, Lisfranc injuries, meniscus tears, and oblique strains also frequently sideline players, with recovery times ranging from weeks to months depending on the severity and treatment required.
