Fantasy football can be an engaging way for fans to showcase their skills in crafting the ideal team roster over the course of the NFL season. While victory often requires selecting impact players and understanding advanced strategies, there is an unpredictable element out of any fan's control - injuries. Even the most thoroughly researched fantasy roster can be disrupted when a top player suffers an unfortunate injury.
Professional football involves incredible athleticism but also substantial physical contact and risk. Everything from pivotal tackles to quick change-of-direction carries the possibility of injuries that could sideline players for weeks or months. For new and experienced fantasy football participants, gaining knowledge on common football injuries and estimated recovery timelines can be helpful.
Having a better grasp of expected time missed for injuries such as sprains, fractures, dislocations, and tears can assist fantasy owners in weighing options when their rostered players get hurt. Whether deciding to add available backups or free-agent replacements, understanding likely injury timeframes helps facilitate educated roster decisions. While injuries inevitably arise, being prepared to make strategic judgments in response can help fantasy owners maintain a competitive squad. In fantasy football, insightful information on injuries enables better planning and management.
The top 10 most common football injuries
Sprains and strains
Recovery timeline: Mild to moderate sprains and strains usually require a few weeks of rest and rehabilitation. Severe cases may take several months to heal completely. A physical therapist designs a customized exercise regimen to improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion. Therapy also includes techniques like massage and ultrasound to promote healing.
Examples:
Odell Beckham Jr.: In October 2022, the wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams suffered a left ankle sprain that was expected to sideline him for around six weeks. He returned to play in early December, so his recovery took about eight weeks.
Alvin Kamara: The running back for the New Orleans Saints suffered a knee sprain in December 2021 that was expected to keep him out for 1-2 weeks. He missed two games before returning, so his recovery took around three weeks.
Concussions
Recovery timeline: The recovery timeline for concussions can vary depending on severity. Symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and fatigue often persist for 1-2 weeks after the initial injury. Most NFL concussion protocols mandate that players sit out for at least one game before being cleared to return. More severe concussions sometimes require 2+ weeks before getting medical clearance. Rest and limiting physical and cognitive activity are essential for the brain to heal after a trauma. As symptoms improve, PTs gradually introduce exercises to restore balance, coordination, and cognitive functions.
Examples:
Tua Tagovailoa: The Miami Dolphins quarterback suffered a concussion in September 2022 that caused him to miss two games before being cleared to return. So, his recovery timeline was around two weeks.
Patrick Mahomes: The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback suffered a knee injury and concussion in the same game in October 2019. He missed the following two games to recover from both injuries, returning after about 2.5 weeks.
Fractures
Recovery timeline: A fracture’s recovery timeline depends on the break’s location and severity, whether surgery is required, and how quickly the bone heals. Stress fractures may heal in 4-8 weeks with rest. More severe fractures require surgical repair and can take six months or longer, especially if it is the quarterback's throwing arm. Appropriate immobilization and physical therapy are vital to ensuring fractures heal correctly.
Example:
Dak Prescott: The quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys suffered a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle in October 2020. He underwent surgery and missed the rest of the 2020 season, returning in September 2021 after 11 months of recovery.
J.J. Watt: The defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals suffered a shoulder fracture in October 2022 that required surgery. He was placed on injured reserve with an estimated 2-3 months recovery timeline. Watt returned eight weeks after surgery in December 2022, which was quicker for that type of break.
Dislocations
Recovery timeline: The timeline for returning from a dislocation depends on the joint involved, the severity of any accompanying tissue/bone damage, and whether surgical repair is required. Fingers, toes, shoulders, and knees are the most commonly dislocated joints. Minor dislocations may heal in just 2-4 weeks. More complex ones involve a longer recovery, especially when surgery is needed. Restoring range of motion and strength through physical therapy is integral to rehabilitation.
Example:
Odell Beckham Jr.: The wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams dislocated his left ankle and suffered a corresponding fracture in October 2022. He had surgery to repair the injuries. His recovery timeline was expected to be around 8-10 months, with potential to return late in the 2022 season or for 2023.
Teddy Bridgewater: The quarterback for the Denver Broncos suffered a dislocated finger on his throwing hand during practice. He only missed one week before returning to action with tape stabilizing the finger. His recovery timeline was very short, given the nature of the injury.
ACL tears
Recovery timeline: The typical ACL injury recovery timeline ranges from 9-12 months. Physical therapy and rebuilding strength and mobility are crucial during the rehab process. It usually takes 6+ months before an athlete can return to sports-related activities. Some players with additional damage may take a year to make a total return. Patience and not rushing back too soon are essential to avoid re-injury and ensure the knee is stable long-term.
Example:
Carson Wentz: The quarterback for the Washington Commanders suffered a torn ACL in his left knee. He had reconstructive surgery and missed the rest of the 2021 season. Wentz returned as a starter in September 2022, so his recovery took about nine months.
Jordy Nelson: The former wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers tore his ACL and suffered damage to his MCL during preseason in August 2015. He underwent ACL reconstruction surgery and missed the entire 2015 NFL season. Nelson returned to play in 2016 after a 13-month recovery period.
Meniscus tears
Recovery timeline: The recovery timeline for a meniscus tear depends on the location and extent of the tear and the type of surgical repair. Small tears may heal after 4-6 weeks of rest and rehab. Larger tears often require trimming or stitching the meniscus, which needs 2-3 months before return to sports. If the meniscus is entirely removed (meniscectomy), recovery may be quicker but increases future knee issues. Rehab focuses on reducing swelling, restoring range of motion, and rebuilding strength.
Example:
Russell Wilson: The quarterback for the Denver Broncos suffered a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. He had arthroscopic surgery to repair it and missed just one game, returning after a 3-week recovery.
Adrian Peterson: The running back suffered torn ACL and MCL injuries and a meniscus tear in his left knee in December 2011. He had reconstructive ACL surgery along with meniscus repair. Peterson returned to play about nine months later, in October 2012.
Hamstring strains
Recovery timeline: Hamstring strains are common injuries in the NFL, especially among skill position players like receivers. Recovery depends on severity - Grade 1 mild strains may heal within 1-2 weeks, while Grade 2 moderate strains often take 3-4 weeks. More significant Grade 3 strains can require 4-8 weeks to recover. Rehab involves rest, ice, gentle stretching, and strengthening exercises to facilitate healing without re-injury. Returning too soon increases the risk of aggravating the hamstring strain.
Example:
Chris Godwin: The wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strained his left hamstring in September 2022, which caused him to miss two games. He returned to play after a three-week recovery period.
Julio Jones: The wide receiver strained his hamstring while with the Tennessee Titans in September 2021, forcing him to miss two games before returning after a 3-week timeline.
Ankle sprains
Recovery timeline: Ankle sprains are one of the most common NFL injuries. Mild (Grade 1) sprains often heal within 1-3 weeks with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Moderate (Grade 2) sprains take 3-6 weeks to recover. Severe (Grade 3) sprains with complete ligament tears recover in 6-8 weeks or longer if surgery is warranted. Rehab focuses on range of motion, strengthening, proprioception, and preventing future sprains. High ankle sprains can become chronic issues if not fully rehabilitated.
Example:
Saquon Barkley: The running back for the New York Giants suffered a mild high ankle sprain in October 2022 that caused him to miss one game. He returned to play after a two-week recovery period.
Lamar Jackson: The quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens suffered a more severe ankle sprain in December 2021 that caused him to miss the final four games of the regular season. He returned fully recovered for training camp in July 2022, so his recovery took about seven months.
Groin strains
Recovery timeline: Groin strains are common for NFL players who make sudden starts/stops and change of direction. Minor to moderate strains usually heal with 1-3 weeks of rest, ice, compression, and modified activities. More severe strains can involve partial muscle tears, requiring 4+ weeks of rehab. Returning too soon risks re-injury. Careful stretching, strength training, and massage help flexible muscle recovery. Anti-inflammatories and pain medication are often used for symptom relief.
Example:
George Kittle: The tight end for the San Fransisco 49ers suffered a groin strain in September 2022 that caused him to miss one game. He returned to play after a two-week recovery period.
Leonard Fournette: The running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strained his hip/groin in December 2022 and missed the final four regular season games. He returned to play in the playoffs after a 4-week recovery timeline, indicating the increased severity of his injury.
Contusions (bruises)
Recovery timeline: Contusions or bruises happen frequently in the NFL due to the contact nature of the sport. Mild to moderate contusions may only take 1-2 weeks to heal with proper treatment like ice, compression, elevation, pain medication, and resting the affected area. More severe contusions that cause extensive bleeding under the skin or into muscles/joints can take 2-4+ weeks to recover fully. Returning to play too quickly risks making the bruise worse. Recovery aims to allow the damaged blood vessels time to heal and reabsorb pooled blood.
Example:
Josh Allen: The quarterback for the Buffalo Bills suffered a foot contusion during the playoffs in January 2022 that caused him to miss part of one game. With treatment, he was able to return to finish the game and play the following week, indicating a mild 1-week recovery.
Dalvin Cook: The running back for the Minnesota Vikings suffered a shoulder contusion in September 2022 that forced him to leave a game early. He only missed one game with rest and treatment and was back playing two weeks after the contusion healed.
Football injuries are unfortunate, and even the most famous NFL and college football players aren't immune to them, much to the dismay of many a fantasy football participant. By exploring real-life examples, we can see that injuries can affect players of all calibers and positions. However, understanding their types and recovery timelines can help players plan their comeback effectively and help you save your fantasy picks if needed during the season.
Physical therapy is vital in rehabilitation, guiding athletes through tailored exercises and techniques to regain strength, flexibility, and stability. Whether it's a mild sprain or a severe fracture, the right combination of rest, professional medical care, and well-structured physical therapy can pave the way for a successful return to the field. Our team at EW Motion Therapy can help athletes recover from injuries, rebuilding strength and confidence to continue their season. If you’re curious about what else physical therapy can do for you, click the button below to download our answers to 20 frequently asked questions.
