How Do You Fail A Physical In The NFL?
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If you want to know how to fail a physical in the NFL, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll go over some of the most common ways that players fail their physicals. From failing drug tests to having bad knees, there are a number of reasons why players can flunk their physicals. So if you’re wondering how to fail a physical in the NFL, read on!
Failing the Physical
Every year, a small handful of NFL hopefuls fail their physicals and are immediately sent home. This can be a crushing blow for a player who has worked their whole life to make it to the NFL, only to be told they can’t play because of a physical ailment. So, how does one fail a physical in the NFL?
What is a physical?
A physical is a medical examination given to players prior to the start of NFL training camp each summer. The physicals are administered by team doctors and include a thorough check-up and testing for any pre-existing injuries. Training camp cannot start until all players have passed their physicals.
Failing a physical does not necessarily mean that a player is injured or unable to play. In some cases, a player may fail his physical due to a minor injury that will not prevent him from participating in training camp or playing in the regular season. In other cases, a player may fail his physical due to a more serious injury that will require surgery or extensive rehabilitation.
If a player fails his physical, the team has three options: place him on the active/non-football injury list (NFI), place him on the reserve/non-football injury list (NFIR) or release him outright. Placing a player on the NFI or NFIR list means that he is still under contract with the team but is not allowed to participate in practices or games until he is cleared by team doctors. Releasing a player outright means that he is no longer under contract with the team and is free to sign with any other team in the league.
The most famous example of a player failing his physical is former New York Giants running back David Wilson, who was released by the team in 2014 after suffering
What do teams look for in a physical?
Most NFL teams use a similar pre-employment physical, which is based on a player’s position. For example, an offensive lineman is going to have different physical requirements than a wide receiver. Here are some of the basics that every team looks for:
-Can the player pass a vision test?
-Do they have any pre-existing injuries that will require further treatment?
-Does the player have a history of concussions?
-Is their body fat percentage within an acceptable range based on their position?
-Do they have any physical characteristics that may put them at greater risk for further injury (e.g. narrow hips, previous ACL surgery,etc.)?
What can cause a player to fail a physical?
There are a few things that can cause a player to fail a physical. The first is if they have an injury that has not healed properly. The second is if they have a condition that has not been properly diagnosed. The third is if they are not in good enough shape to pass the physical.
One of the most common reasons for failing a physical is an injured player trying to return to action too soon. If a player has had surgery or is dealing with an ongoing issue, they need to be completely healed before they can be cleared to play. If they are not, there is a risk of further injury or even re-injuring the original injury.
Another reason for failing a physical is a condition that has not been properly diagnosed. This can be something as simple as high blood pressure or something more serious like diabetes. If a player has any kind of condition that has not been properly diagnosed, it needs to be taken care of before they can be cleared to play.
The third reason for failing a physical is simply not being in good enough shape to pass the test. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but it usually comes down to a player not taking care of their body properly during the offseason. If a player does not train and work out regularly, they will likely fail their physical when it comes time for camp.
Common Injuries that Cause Players to Fail Physicals
It’s very common for NFL players to fail their physicals due to injuries. Some of the most common injuries that cause players to fail their physicals are shoulder injuries, knee injuries, and back injuries. Let’s take a look at some of the most common injuries that cause players to fail their physicals.
Knee Injuries
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are among the most common knee injuries in the NFL. The ACL is one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee joint, and it can be torn when the knee is extended and rotated beyond its normal range of motion. ACL tears often occur during football games, when players make sudden changes in direction or collide with other players.
ACL tears can range from partial to complete, and they can occur with or without damage to other structures in the knee, such as the meniscus (cartilage) or collateral ligaments (ligaments on either side of the knee). Partial ACL tears may not require surgery, but complete tears usually do. Surgery involves reconstructing the torn ligament with a tissue graft, which can be taken from another part of the patient’s body or from a donor.
Recovery from ACL surgery usually takes 4-6 months, and it may be several more months before players are able to return to their previous level of activity. In some cases, multiple surgeries may be required.
Other common knee injuries in football include meniscus tears, patellar tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon that attaches the kneecap to the shinbone), and iliotibial band syndrome (inflammation of a band of tissue that runs along the outer side of the thigh). These injuries can often be treated with conservative measures such as rest, ice, and physical therapy. Surgery is generally only required for more severe cases.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are one of the most common reasons for players to fail physicals in the NFL. These injuries can range from mild to severe, and often require surgery to correct. Some of the most common shoulder injuries include:
• Rotator cuff tears: The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that attach the shoulder blade to the upper arm bone. These muscles and tendons help lift the arm. A rotator cuff tear is a tear in one or more of these muscles and tendons. Rotator cuff tears are common in NFL players, and often require surgery to repair.
• Labral tears: The labrum is a rim of cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket. A tear in the labrum is called a labral tear. Labral tears are also common in NFL players, and often require surgery to repair.
• Shoulder dislocations: The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball (head of the upper arm bone) fits into a socket (the cavity in the shoulder blade). A dislocation occurs when the head of the upper arm bone pops out of the socket. Shoulder dislocations are relatively common in NFL players, and often require surgery to repair.
Back Injuries
Back injuries are among the most common injuries that can cause players to fail physicals in the NFL. Depending on the severity, a back injury can keep a player out for an extended period of time, which could jeopardize their career. Here are some of the most common back injuries that can cause players to fail physicals:
-Herniated disc: A herniated disc is when the soft inner material of a disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. This can put pressure on nearby nerves and cause pain, numbness and weakness.
-Spinal stenosis: This is when the space around the spinal cord narrows, which can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. This can cause pain, numbness and weakness.
-Fractured vertebrae: A fracture in one or more vertebrae (bones of the spine) can occur due to a fall or other trauma. This can cause pain and instability in the spine.
-Degenerative disc disease: This is when discs between the vertebrae wear down with age or due to repetitive motion. This can cause pain, numbness and weakness.
How Injuries Can Affect a Player’s Career
In the NFL, players are constantly putting their bodies on the line. They are susceptible to a variety of injuries, both big and small. Sometimes, these injuries can lead to a player failing their physical. In other cases, a player may be unable to play because of an injury. Let’s take a look at how injuries can affect a player’s career.
Shortened Career
A lot of careers in the NFL are shortened by injuries. In some cases, a player may be able to bounce back and have a long and successful career despite an injury early on. Other times, an injury can completely derail a player’s career. It all depends on the type of injury, how severe it is, and where it occurs on the player’s body.
One of the most common injuries in the NFL is a torn ACL. This can be a season-ending injury for some players, while others are able to come back and play at a high level. It all depends on how well the player recovers and how their body responds to the surgery.
Other injuries, like concussions, can have long-lasting effects that may not be apparent until later in life. These types of injuries can lead to problems with memory, mood, and even depression. Players who suffer multiple concussions may be at an increased risk for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
So while an injury may not seem like a big deal at the time, it could have serious consequences down the road. That’s why it’s important for players to take care of their bodies and stay healthy throughout their careers.
Lower Salary
An injury can lead to a lower salary in a number of ways. First, the player may not be able to play as many games, which means he’ll make less money from his contract. In addition, the team may be reluctant to give the player a raise or extension if he’s injury-prone. Finally, an injury can shortened a player’s career, which means he’ll have less opportunity to make money.