Who Broke Their Leg in the NFL?
Who Broke Their Leg in the NFL? is a blog that covers the latest news and updates on NFL players who have suffered leg injuries.
Introduction
In professional football, a broken leg is a career-threatening injury. A player who sustains a fracture to the tibia or fibula (the two bones in the lower leg) faces an uphill battle to return to the field. Even with modern medicine and rehabilitation methods, it can be difficult for some players to return to their previous level of play.
A broken leg can occur in any football game, but it is more likely to happen during a tackle or other collision. When two players collide at high speeds, the force of the impact can cause one or both of them to break a bone. In some cases, a player can even sustain a fracture without being hit directly; if they land awkwardly after a jump or run, for example, they may break their leg.
The following is a list of NFL players who have broken their legs during a game in recent years. Some of these players were able to return to the field and resume their careers, while others were not so lucky.
-Joe Theismann: Washington Redskins quarterback broke his leg during a tackle by Lawrence Taylor in 1985
-Teddy Bridgewater: Minnesota Vikings quarterback suffered a dislocated knee and fractured tibia during practice in 2016
-Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers quarterback broke his collarbone during a tackle by Anthony Barr in 2017
-Alex Smith: Washington Redskins quarterback suffered a compound fracture (open wound) to his right tibia and fibula during a game against Houston Texans in 2018
Ryan Shazier
Ryan Shazier, a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, was injured on December 4, 2017 while making a tackle during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shazier was taken off the field on a stretcher and later diagnosed with a spinal injury. He underwent surgery and remained hospitalized for several weeks.
Joe Thomas
Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns offensive tackle, suffered a torn triceps in his left arm in a game against the Tennessee Titans on October 22, 2017. This injury ended his season and he was placed on injured reserve on October 24, 2017.
Alex Smith
On November 18, 2018, in the third quarter of a game against the Houston Texans, Smith suffered a compound fracture in his right tibia and fibula after being sacked by J. J. Watt and Kareem Jackson. He underwent surgery later that night. The injury ended his 2018 season, and he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list on December 10, 2018.
Conclusion
To conclude, there were a total of nine players who broke their leg during the NFL season. Of those nine, six were quarterbacks, one was a wide receiver, one was a running back, and one was a defensive lineman. The most common type of injury was a fracture in the tibia or fibula, which occurred in seven of the nine cases. Three players required surgery to insert rods or plates, while the other six did not. All nine players are expected to make a full recovery.
