NFL
These are the 5 NFL teams with the highest number of long-term injuries so far in the 24/25 season
Surprisingly or not, the teams on this list were all playoff teams last season, with the Cleveland Browns and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading the way.
The Cleveland Browns fell to the Cincinnati Bengals 21-4 at Huntington Bank Field, dropping to 1-6 on the season. However, the biggest storyline of the day was the injury to quarterback Deshaun Watson, who went down late in the second quarter with what is believed to be a season-ending Achilles injury.
The Browns are banged up at seemingly every position group, affecting both the offense and defense equally. They are probably the worst-affected team by injuries this season.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns face major challenges this season with 16 injured players and a 1-6 record. After Watn’s season-ending injury, they must choose first between Thompson-Robinson, who also got injured against the Bengals, and Winston as their starting quarterback.
Even the most optimistic Browns fans may have lost hope of the team making it to the playoffs this season. Using the remaining games to develop some promising healthy players on the roster might be a good idea. It’s even possible that the Cleveland organization will start thinking about tanking the rest of the season to secure the first pick in next year’s draft. If they want a getaway financial solution with Deshaun’s contract, that could be a viable option.
If the Browns could acquire one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, it could help compensate for what Watson is owed. This means having a young quarterback playing under a rookie contract. If everything goes as planned, the new quarterback’s second contract won’t come until Watson is entirely off the Browns’ books.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leading the NFC South with a 4-2 record despite facing major injuries at the start of the season. The team has been recently impacted by injuries to key players such as Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, Winfield, and Bryce Hall, and 11 more players unable to participate in the games.
In the last game against the New Orleans Saints, the Buccaneers secured a decisive 51-27 victory but suffered with some more injuries. Cornerback Jamel Dean sustained a hamstring tear and had to leave the game, while wide receiver Mike Evans also dealt with some physical problems that required him to go to the locker room before returning to the field.
In response to these injuries, the Buccaneers are changing their roster by promoting cornerback Keenan Isaac to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and signing veteran wide receiver Marquez Callaway.
Despite having an extra day to recover before their next game on Monday night, the team will still be concerned about the impact of injuries moving forward.
Los Angeles Rams
Another NFL team devastated by injuries is the LA franchise. The Los Angeles Rams offense has been decimated by injuries this season, with the offensive line and receiving corps dealing with critical losses.
Fortunately, there’s more positive news regarding Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua ahead of a Week 7 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders.
They have 11 players who are out of fitness to play. Among them is Cooper Kupp, who has been missing playing time since game 2, when he hurt his already problematic ankle. Also, to make matters worse for the Rams, their second-best offensive weapon, Puka Nacua, could be out until Week 9, depending on how the PCL strain in his knee heals.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were dealt with another injury to another quarterback this Sunday. That would be side-lining injury number 14 this season.
Tyler Huntley, the third quarterback, suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter of Miami’s Week 7 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Previously, the starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, suffered his third career concussion in September against the Buffalo Bills. Later, Skylar Thompson, who initially took over for Tagovailoa, sustained a chest injury last month, which forced the Dolphins to go to Huntley.
How bad is the situation in Miami? The best explanation could be that the backup quarterback Tim Boyle, who was signed to Miami’s active roster Saturday, had to take his place.
The San Francisco 49ers
In their loss against the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, yesterday, the 49ers had 8 inactive players on their injury list. The emotional lift of Ricky Pearsall’s return to the field 50 days after he was shot lasted less than two-quarters of the game. Then, the San Francisco 49ers had to deal with another blow, but now at the receiver position.
During a play, Brandon Aiyuk suffered a blow in his right knee when he was tackled by two defenders late in the second quarter against the Chiefs. He was taken out from the field, and later, coach Kyle Shanahan stated it was a season-ending ACL tear. Aiyuk will miss the rest of the season, which will be very demanding for the San Francisco team, already missing All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey and other key players.
Although the absence of McCaffreey and now Aiyuk created many holes in the 49ers' offense, the team is still competitive. They are second in their division, behind the Seahawks, and have a 3-4 winning score, and lot more to play in front of them.