Injuries are an unfortunate reality in the NFL, and while some players bounce back stronger, others are never quite the same.
Whether it was a torn ACL, a devastating concussion, or a lingering issue that derailed a promising career, these 15 players saw their trajectories permanently altered by injury.
15. Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
Teddy Bridgewater was set to be the Minnesota Vikings’ franchise quarterback until a horrific knee injury in 2016 nearly ended his career. A torn ACL and dislocated knee led to a lengthy rehab process, and while he has remained in the league as a backup and spot starter, he never regained his Pro Bowl form from 2015.
14. David Johnson (RB)
In 2016, David Johnson looked like the next great running back after racking up over 2,000 total yards and 20 touchdowns. However, a wrist injury in 2017 cost him the entire season, and he never regained his dominance. His explosiveness declined, and he eventually faded out of the league as a journeyman.
13. Robert Griffin III (QB)
RGIII’s rookie year in 2012 was electric—he won Offensive Rookie of the Year and took Washington to the playoffs. But a torn ACL and LCL in the playoffs against Seattle changed everything. He rushed back too soon, struggled with mobility, and was never the same dynamic dual-threat quarterback.
12. Jamaal Charles (RB)
Jamaal Charles was one of the most explosive running backs in NFL history, but multiple ACL tears (2011 and 2015) cut his prime short. Before the injuries, he averaged an incredible 5.5 yards per carry, but afterward, he was never able to regain his burst and retired after brief stints with Denver and Jacksonville.
11. Sam Bradford (QB)
Sam Bradford was drafted No. 1 overall in 2010 and had all the tools to be a great quarterback, but injuries derailed his career. He suffered multiple ACL tears (2013 and 2014) and a litany of knee issues that kept him from ever realizing his full potential. While he had brief flashes of excellence, he could never stay healthy long enough to cement himself as a franchise QB.
10. Bo Jackson (RB)
Bo Jackson was on his way to being one of the greatest athletes ever before a hip injury in the 1990 playoffs ended his NFL career. While he later attempted a baseball comeback, the injury meant football fans never got to see his full potential realized.
9. Andrew Luck (QB)
Andrew Luck never had a single career-ending injury, but the accumulation of hits, lacerated kidneys, and a lingering shoulder issue led to his shocking retirement at just 29. After missing the entire 2017 season, he returned in 2018 but ultimately decided the physical toll wasn’t worth it.
8. Marcus Lattimore (RB)
A dominant college running back at South Carolina, Marcus Lattimore was a projected first-round pick before a devastating knee injury in college dropped him to the fourth round. The injury was so severe that he never played a single NFL snap, proving how brutal football can be.
7. Carson Wentz (QB)
Carson Wentz was the MVP frontrunner in 2017 before tearing his ACL in Week 14. He never returned to the same elite level, struggling with inconsistency and bouncing around the league. Once viewed as a franchise quarterback, he now struggles to find a starting job.
6. Sterling Sharpe (WR)
Sterling Sharpe was one of the best receivers in the NFL until a career-ending neck injury in 1994 forced him into early retirement. He was on a Hall of Fame trajectory and could have been one of the all-time greats had he been able to continue playing.
5. Jamal Anderson (RB)
Jamal Anderson was the engine of the 1998 Atlanta Falcons’ Super Bowl run, coining the famous “Dirty Bird” celebration. But after an ACL tear in 1999, he was never the same and retired just two years later, going from superstar to out of the league almost overnight.
4. Patrick Willis (LB)
While Patrick Willis technically retired due to a nagging toe injury rather than a single devastating moment, the injury forced him to step away in his prime. One of the best linebackers of his era, Willis likely had several elite years left if not for the injury.
3. Terrell Davis (RB)
Terrell Davis was on a Hall of Fame pace, rushing for over 2,000 yards in 1998 and leading the Broncos to two Super Bowls. However, a knee injury in 1999 derailed his career, and he was never able to recapture his dominant form before retiring early.
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2. Joe Theismann (QB)
Joe Theismann’s career came to a sudden and gruesome end in 1985 when Lawrence Taylor broke his leg in one of the most infamous injuries in NFL history. The compound fracture forced Theismann into retirement, robbing the league of a legendary quarterback too soon.
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1. Ryan Shazier (LB)
Ryan Shazier was a rising star for the Pittsburgh Steelers when a spinal cord injury in 2017 left him temporarily unable to walk. While he made an incredible recovery and can now walk again, his NFL career ended that night. His injury serves as a sobering reminder of the risks of football.
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