Torn ACLs are the most common cause of NFL players being sidelined for the entire regular season before a game has even been played. A Vikings starting linebacker for most of the 2000s, Henderson missed out on the team's Brett Favre-centered run to the 2009 NFC championship game. Williams did not miss a game in 2010, either, collecting more than $30 million in total from the Bucs. But a torn ACL isnt the end of the worldin fact, a number of players have been able to come back and have career-best seasons immediately following their ACL reconstruction. ACL Tear Football Player. On the defensive side of the ball, just published research by the Aune and the American Sports Medicine Institute, the injury research think tank started by Dr James Andrews, indicates that 72% of NFL defensive players return to play at least one game after an ACL injury. He led the NFL in scrimmage yards in 1981, managing a staggering 81 catches out of the backfield. Krumrie had gone from 10th-round 1983 draftee to Bengals starter in less than two years, and he operated accordingly after his Super Bowl ended early. Hopefully, he has a full recovery. ACL tears once ended careers. When he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the fall, he approached the situation head on. His untimely injury delayed his transfer to Italy, and some fans and pundits agree he was never the same after the unfortunate injury. But at the age of 35, it was always going to be difficult for Ibra to get back to his best and he terminated his contract early to join LA Galaxy in March 2018. In time, performance might very well return to normal, but since the NFL is a produce-now league, those players often never return to play or last only for a short period of time before getting cut or released. ", Glittering drama based on the audacious Brinks-Mat security depot heist, A corrupt copper and a Leeds gangster are bound together by decades of dishonesty. The stories of their rehab often share a common threadthey didnt see a torn ACL as the end of the road. Id get sore, but I felt like if I wanted to reach my maximum potential, then thats what I had to do., Ross went on to have a spectacular redshirt junior season, recording 1,150 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. Can the Lions fix their defense? Peterson does not land here for tearing an ACL, MCL and a meniscus on Christmas Eve 2011. Many NFL stars have recovered from torn ACLs to play as well or better than before the injury. Thats the worst level, meaning that Van Dijks ligament was torn in half. Key before/after facts: Avery is averaging fewer receptions per game after the injury (2.7, compared to 3.2) and less yards after the catch (3.7, compared to 4.2) but is producing slightly more per reception (13.4 yards, compared to 12.6). Being 35 at the time, it was suggested that he would never recover due to his age, but just 7 months later, he was back in action and famously declared that "lions don't recover like humans." Honorable mention: Lardarius Webb, Ravens. Williams suffered torn patellar tendons in bothknees -- in 2007 and '08, respectively -- and missed 22 games. Upon his return to Monaco, he led them to Ligue 1 glory in 2016/17 with 21 goals in 29 appearances, and he continued to score plenty of goals before signing for Galatasaray in 2019. 3 overall Cardinals pick, Hearst peaked with a dominant 1998 season as a 49er. Enemy fire resulted in Bleier taking a bullet in the left leg, and a grenade explosion the same day sent shrapnel into his right leg. Hewett cites the example of Derrick Rose, who delayed his return to the court after sensing that his knee still didnt feel normal, as a player that was roundly criticized for a longer than normal recovery. Thats a smart approach to takeespecially for a player who suffers a non-contact ACL tear. This caused scary nerve damage and sidelined the fullback for two full seasons. A knee injury ended Holmes' 2004 season early, but he and Larry Johnson were a formidable duo to start the '05 slate. Although Manning 2.0 possessed a fraction of the arm strength his Colts version did, his Broncos edition shattered the single-season touchdown pass record (55) and opened a Super Bowl window for his second team. The experience helped Ross learn that hed have to become a total receiver if he wanted to reach his full potential. Return date: Week 1, 2011. Bowman even came back from a torn Achilles, finishing his career as a Raider starter in 2017. football players who tore their acl 2020. But behind that relatively optimistic stat, the news isnt good for those players on the margins. PFF rates him its seventh-best center in 2014. In December of 2014, he signed a 5-year, $42.5 million contract extension with Denver. In the 2002 opener with the Dolphins, Edwards scored twice. The story didn't quite end there though. Though he was disappointed, Maclin was determined to prove his career trajectory was still on the rise. In my 20 years, Ive never seen someone work so hard. Injury date: Week 4, 2013 (college). Del Piero would stay at Juve for 13 more seasons and was also part of the Italy side that won the World Cup in 2006. Here's a list of some famous soccer players who've battled the dreaded ACL Tear. Alan Shearer is probably the best example of overcoming serious ACL injury and going on to greatness. While Andrews was not the same player upon returning in 1986, his final season, bouncing back from these injuries in the mid-'80s was a remarkable achievement. Honorable mention: Brandon Meriweather, Redskins. This stabilizes the knee while moving. Van Nistelrooy rewarded Ferguson for showing faith in him by scoring 150 goals in 219 games. Top 2023 NFL free agents at key fantasy football positions . I hit him hard. Rather, they saw it as an opportunity to rebuild their bodies and minds and come back refreshed and rebuilt. But neck pain recurred early in his comeback, prompting a retirement. Forty-five of the athletes were female. He wanted to come back stronger, faster and better after the injury. A few years ago, Brittany Mosier was a star soccer player in her sophomore year of high school. It wouldnt be the end of El Tigre as a fantastic finisher, though. In addition to monetary factors, players often have to battle outside expectations about recovery time. In the only comparable portion of his earlier career, Davis was credited with 289 tackles in 46 games. 48 in 2012 but No. He finished his career as a Saints backup from 2003-04. In addition to following a healthy diet, athletes must pay particular attention to gaining muscle and losing fat, which together improve athletic performance. The Swedish forward had impressed before the setback, scoring 28 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils, and his swift recovery helped him earn a one-year contract extension at the club. But after an ACL injury, she thought her hopes of becoming a college athlete were over. With the highest rate of return to play in professional sports, nine out of 10 MLB players will return to the field after an ACL injury. I just knew I had to come back and have a breakout season, Harris told STACK. The athletic recruiting process is a lot like dating, with college coaches/scouts and high-school student-athletes sizing each other up and searching for the right match. In an elite era for running backs, Andrews is a bit overlooked. Honorable mention: Tank Carradine, 49ers; Henry Melton, Cowboys. Now I feel faster and quicker. Towards the end of the game, Keane tried to trip his opponent, but his studs caught in the turf and he ended up tearing his cruciate ligament. As athletes, we always feel invincible. According to PFF, opposing quarterbacks have a league-low 41.7 passer rating on passes thrown into his coverage. STACK has the volleyball drills and workouts you need to take your game to the next level. Carson Palmer is the ultimate patient. Generally, those who successfully returned were above-average NFL players before their injury but relatively average after their return. While Kelce was blocking on a run play during a game against the Baltimore Ravens, a player collided into his right knee, tearing his MCL and ACL. Honorable mention: Robert Griffin III, Redskins; Brian Hoyer, Browns; Philip Rivers, Chargers. Jason Kelces first serious football injury didnt come until his second year in the NFL. Hes since been named to two Pro Bowls (2014, 2016). McGahee began his NFL career injured. A new home for Michael Thomas? Maclin went on to have a spectacular 2014, recording new career highs in receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,318). He had scored 32 goals to help Juventus win the Serie A title and reach the final of the Champions League the previous season. 3 overall by the Browns in the 2007 draft and has gone on to seven Pro Bowls. Since then, he's played in 41 of a possible 43 games, racking up 306 tackles in the process. 23 among tackles by PFF. Build your football workout today! XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? Return date: Week 1, 2012. The advent of arthroscopic surgery shifted the question ever so slightly: Could a player regain anything close to his previous performance upon his return? | One of 2020's feel-good stories, Bridgewater is back as a starter after a gruesome 2016 injury sidetracked his career. Youngblood did not miss a game in his first 13 NFL seasons. Luck's shoulder rehab turned into a career-threatening ordeal and played a role in the Colts QB walking away in 2019. Could the Cowboys look at a running back in first round again? But he returned as a wideout in 1962 and played three more seasons, making the 1963 Pro Bowl and helping the Giants to two NFL title games. The injury was the third torn ACL of Davis' career, and simply getting back on the . The process requires participants to understand and observe NCAA rules and regulations, conduct thorough research, schedule home and campus visits, network and communicate appropriately, and, for most student-athletes, engage in self-marketing. Fortunately for the striker, Sir Alex Ferguson was still interested and the deal was completed the following summer. Honorable mention: Heath Miller, Steelers. During his maiden season with Blackburn Rovers, in 1992, he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. But he returned for a low-key dominant 2018 season, throwing 39 TD passes and powering an off-the-radar Colts team to the divisional playoffs. It comes down to how much strain you put on the knee joint, says Dr Tim Hewett, a Mayo Clinic researcher and an expert on the mechanics of ACL injury. Ross went on to run a record-setting 4.22 40-Yard Dash at the NFL Combine before being drafted 9th overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft. When he was cleared to participate in spring ball practice, he continued to put in extra work either after practice or on off days. The injury delayed his eventual move to Manchester United, but when he arrived, he arrived with a bang, becoming one of the top goal scorers in The Premier League for years. No one got to choose between a cadaver's ligament or an internal replacement. Return date: Week 1, 2014. The nature of the NBA game, especially that of the point guard position, is high-speed cutting, jumping and pivoting. Injury date: Two ACL injuries in 2005 (college). For more lacrosse training, nutrition and gear advice from the nations top coaches and players, see our lacrosse training videos. Although, like the other sports, there is a high rate of return to sport in the NBA following ACL reconstruction, the careers of players that have torn an ACL are almost, on average, two years shorter than other players. Much like the bump in performance frequently seen after Tommy John surgery, the researchers speculated that the rehab program might have benefited the non-surgical leg, resulting in improved strength and performance. He is a four-time All-Pro at the position. Whether you want to add power to your swing, speed on the basepaths or explosiveness in the outfield, youll need to start with lower body and core workouts designed specifically for baseball players. In the NFL, without guaranteed contracts, players are pressured into returning to the field, often before fully ready. Its a damn shame. Key before/after facts: Thomas didn't miss a game after suffering the injury, maintaining his status as an elite NFL prospect. Rivers did not miss a start in 14 years as the Bolts' QB1. They succumb to it, they embrace it., RELATED: Carson Palmers Grueling Recovery From a Torn ACL, We profiled Palmer during his recovery, and he admitted that the long rehab process was far from easy. He's a hell of a player. Whether you want to become a better infielder, develop your bunt technique or increase pitching power, youll find videos, articles and interviews with some of the games top minds to help you become a better player. A torn left ACL on a Thursday night in Week 8 ended . He was PFF's 65th-ranked guard in 2013 but has elevated to No. Knee control exercises to warm up was used . There were a lot of injuries this year. Late injuries strike again. Doctors at Northwestern University analyzed orthopedic injuries suffered by 559 NFL athletes, and found the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear to be one of the most career-damaging. Key before/after facts: Berry has four interceptions in 36 games since the injury after recording four in 17 games before it. After just five months out, he returned swiftly to help Barcelona lift the La Liga title and also travelled to Germany with Spain that summer. ven the best professional athletes are only as strong as their weakest link. Samuel, who worked with Palmer closely through his rehab process, says hes never seen a better patient. Now youre sidelined for months and forced to start back at square one. The Road to Recovery: Getting Back in the Game. He played 129 games with a .276 average in 2022 and was projected to have a solid 2.8 WAR in 2023. 20 in 2011. His tally of 260 goals makes him the top scorer in Premier League history. A collision with Shawne Merriman altered the Chiefs' plans, sidelining Holmes 23 months with head and neck trauma. The differences are related to the physical requirements of not only each sport, but position on the field or court as well, says Kyle Aune, author of ACL return-to-play research in the NFL and MLB. The decades-long broadcaster is in the Hall of Fame for his 1950s contributions as a Giants halfback, but Gifford also authored a signature NFL comeback. With all the stopping, starting, quick movements, and tackling, legs and knees are bound to end up in positions that they don't belong in. Debuting in 2004, McGahee notched the first of his four 1,000-yard seasons and played long enough to retire as a top-40 all-time rusher. Bleier's journey dwarfs most of this list's injuries. XFL Week 3 preview: Can AJ McCarron, Battlehawks continue their fourth-quarter heroics? Really unfortunate. The Rams sack artist suffered a fractured fibula late in the team's divisional-round win over the Cowboys. Thea Mrk (Norwegian international handball player, 3x ACL rupture) Lois Abbingh (Dutch international handball player, 1x ACL, 1x MCL) Isabelle Jongenelen (Dutch inyernational handball player, 1x ACL) Danielle v.d. Hed just wrapped up a 2012 campaign in which he snagged 69 receptions for 857 yards and 7 touchdowns. Why did Carson do so well? Hate it for that young man. Sam Robinson is a Kansas City, Mo.-based writer who mostly writes about the NFL. The sight of the of the floppy hair Dutchman torching defenses was the stuff of nightmares for opposing fans of Manchester United in the Premier League and Real Madrid of the Spanish Primera Division. Injury date: Week 16, 2013. He has covered sports for nearly 10 years. Hewett points to the high rate of ACL injury among NBA point guards 15 since the lockout, by his calculations to support the theory that for ACL injuries, not all positions and sports are equal. Covered Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008. The . Recovery time and post-surgery performance depends both on sport and position. I would set up cones on off days and after practices and do stuff by myself until I was tired., Ross said. The name Fancesco Totti is virtually synonumous with Roma, the famous soccer team that inhabits "The Eternal City." In September 1997, as Manchester United faced bitter rivals Leeds United, captain Roy Keane clashed with Norwegian defender Alf-Inge Haaland throughout. Prior to that season, hed totaled 579 receiving yards and five touchdowns over his entire college career. Injury date: Week 5, 2012. In 2001, Keane met Haaland again during the Manchester derby and committed a horror foul that Haaland has suggested ended his career. Even if Smith does not play again, he still may win Comeback Player of the Year honors. Washington Nationals Adam Eaton lies on the field after he was injured on a play at first base during the game against the New York Mets last month. You have to be ready to attack every day, Palmer told STACK. He has worked to regain confidence and is currently Pro Football Focus' No. It's a brutal blow for a Dodgers team that was counting on the former top . He was selected No. The 5-foot-9 point guard fell and immediately grabbed his left . He missed all of the 2000 and '02 slates, suffering upper-body maladies and a dislocated right kneecap along the way. Shearer bounced back in style though, scoring 31 goals in 40 games the following season and winning the Football Writers Player of the Year award. This ended Edwards' Pats career after one season, but he made it back after three years away. Easley has appeared in nine of 10 games, including two starts, and has 10 tackles and a sack in 231 snaps. He tore the ACL, MCL and PCL in his left leg in his final college game and could not play during the 2003 NFL season -- his rookie year. Fortunately for Zouma, he made a full recovery from the injury and recently returned. I know if I have a patient for the next 6 to 9 months, Im gonna be able to rebuild an absolute machine, Samuel said. Prayers for a full recovery. Boehly's Blues clear-out: Chelsea players face being SOLD if they don't sign three-year contracts, so who. Always seemed like a decent kid and a good ball player. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao was struck down in his prime after tearing his ACL while playing for Monaco in January 2014. The average air yards of passes thrown his way is 10.1 compared to 11.5. Injury date: Wild-card playoff round, January 2013. They almost never return the same. 32 NFL players who could change teams this offseason, Disputed loan at center of Commanders probe, Fleming: A family grieves for Carson Palmer. Photo Credits: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images,Corey Perrine/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images,Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images,Andy Lyons/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images,Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images Sport/Getty Images, Copyright 2023 STACK Powered by Stack Sports. Knee injuries of this sort ruined careers for decades, but Sayers rehabbed and won the rushing title -- his second in three seasons -- despite not possessing the elite gifts he did pre-injury. "The injury ends the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist's season. Though he could potentially have come back and played in the latter half of his 2015 junior season, he decided it would be best to take a medical redshirt and miss the entire year. #ZLATAN pic.twitter.com/sf4SYLKC9m. Of the players that returned, return occurred at an average of 12.2 months after surgery. Key before/after facts: Jones punted only 22 times before his injury. Updated January 12, 2023 All rights reserved. Honorable mention: Jason Kelce, Eagles; Kory Lichtensteiger, Redskins. To power workouts and games, and to ensure a strong recovery, elite athletes take care to eat properly and to hydrate before, during and after workouts and competitions. The Swedish forward had impressed. QPR fan, so I've grown used to disappointment and started overpaying for things past their prime. You wonder what he might have achieved had he not been so unfortunate. It was a brutal string of disappointments, but Harris responded the only way he knew howwith hard work. Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy was all set to become Manchester United's most expensive ever signing in 2000 when he sustained an injury for PSV Eindhoven and failed his medical. I just think you put so much hard work into your rehab process that thats kind of what happens. Injury date: Week 2, 2011 Return date: Week 1, 2012. Take your game to the next level with softball drills and workouts at STACK.com. My mindset was that the rehab would replace my football season. One recent study found that ACL injured players in the NFL earned $2,070,521 less than their uninjured peers over the four years after injury. He played six more seasons, all with the Bengals, and ended a 12-year career without a single injury absence. In many ways, Chris Harris Jr.s torn ACL couldnt have come at a worse time. In the NFL, like other sports, a lasting return to play is also influenced by the players pre-injury position 20% of running backs and wide receivers never return to the NFL and for those that do return, performance drops by a third. Key before/after facts: Carpenter was injured in his rookie season. Even the best professional athletes are only as strong as their weakest link. While Liverpool havent put a time-frame on his return to action, the average length of time it takes to recover from such an injury can be from six to 12 months. At the end of a 2001-02 Premier League title-winning campaign, Robert Pires was named the Football Writers' player of the year, despite his season being abruptly ended in March because of an ACL injury. Well, the rehab was right up his alley. Aaron Rodgers leads list of players on the fantasy football hot seat for 2023 . But for such an important structure, the ACL isnt much. Return date: Week 1, 2012. Del Piero was on fire at the time. During a spring ball practice his sophomore year, Ross tore the ACL and meniscus in his left knee. 12. Key before/after facts: Charles' yards per carry dropped from 6.1 before the injury to 5.2. Thanks! In December 2005, an ACL injury left him needing surgery and facing being left out of the Spain squad for the Germany World Cup the following year. RELATED: This On-Field Exam Offers Instant ACL Diagnosis as Accurately as an MRI. In Keane's autobiography, he suggests that it was revenge: "I'd waited long enough. Key before/after facts: In a small sample and in a new scheme, Maclin has been more explosive after his injury. You just have to know that is what the situation is going to be, and get through it., The injury also gave Palmer a chance to strengthen his hipssomething hed never really focused on before. Even for elite high level athletes, its always two steps forward and one step back. Develop first-step quickness, serve with power and add inches to your vertical with volleyball training from some of todays top coaches. 12% of players underwent a second ACL surgery. The next season, Palmer set new career highs in passing yards (4,671), touchdowns (35), yards per completion (8.70) and passer rating (104.6) en route to a second-team All-Pro selection and NFL Comeback Player of the Year honors. Suffering a season-ending elbow injury in the 1991 preseason, Montana needed to have his elbow tendon reattached and a joint issue forced a third surgery in '92.