![Injury-Prone Players In NFL Troy Polamalu [L] and Reggie Bush [R]](https://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Troy-Polamalu-L-and-Reggie-Bush-R-1-1024x563.jpg)
Football is one of the most physically demanding and rough sports out there, as anyone who’s watched a single game can tell you. Injuries are just part of the game, whether they happen by accident or on purpose.
Because of this, a lot of players end up with shorter careers, cut short by injuries. However, some players seem to get injured more often than others. These guys are usually incredible when they’re healthy and when they’ll end up on Injured Reserve.
So, without further ado, let’s delve into the list of the seven most injury-prone players in the history of the NFL.
Some Of The Most Injury-Prone Players In NFL History
7) Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson, one of the all-time greats at running back, made his mark with the Minnesota Vikings after being drafted in 2007. His relentless, violent running style and refusal to back down from gaining that extra yard earned him legendary status but also made him prone to injuries.
Even before he entered the NFL, Peterson’s injury history in college raised some red flags. But he quickly silenced those concerns by setting the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game—an incredible 296 yards—as a rookie. Throughout his career, Peterson made it to the Pro Bowl seven times and was also the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2012.
6) Ben Roethlisberger
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Ben Roethlisberger was the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers from when he was drafted in 2004 until his retirement in 2021. Over his storied career, he led the Steelers to two Super Bowl victories, becoming the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win one. He also earned six Pro Bowl selections, solidifying his place among the game’s elite.
However, Roethlisberger’s career wasn’t without its challenges. He seemed destined to miss at least one game almost every season due to injury. The 2019 season was particularly rough; he spent his entire year in the Injured Reserve.
What truly set Roethlisberger apart, though, was his toughness. Despite battling many injuries throughout his career, he consistently played through the pain, only sitting out when the injuries were too severe to push through. Even when banged up, his resilience and ability to perform at a high level became a defining characteristic of his time in the NFL.
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5) Bob Sanders
Bob Sanders was a hard-hitting safety who made a name for himself with the Indianapolis Colts from 2004 to 2010 and later with the San Diego Chargers in 2011. Known for his fierce tackles and aggressive play, Sanders was a force to be reckoned with on the field. However, those exact bone-crushing hits that defined his career also led to a series of injuries, causing him to miss 60% of his games.
Despite his undeniable talent, Sanders never managed to play an entire season. His time with the Chargers in 2011 marked the fourth consecutive season he landed on Injured Reserve, a frustrating pattern that plagued his career. Even with his limited time on the field, Sanders made a significant impact. He helped the Colts win a Super Bowl and earned two Pro Bowl selections, defining his legacy as one of NFL history’s toughest, albeit injury-prone, safeties in NFL history.
4) Darren McFadden
Darren McFadden had a promising career as a running back, starting with the Oakland Raiders in 2008 and later joining the Dallas Cowboys from 2015 until he retired midway through the 2017 season. Despite spending nine seasons in the NFL, McFadden only managed to complete two of them without missing a game—those were in 2014 and 2015.
McFadden’s college career was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2019. With such an impressive start, many expected him to become one of the NFL’s top running backs. However, several injuries hindered his career, which never took off, consistently sidelining him throughout his professional career.
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3) Michael Vick
Michael Vick was a quarterback who gained notoriety for his electrifying yet reckless style of play. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, he brought a dynamic edge to the position, continuing his career with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009. He spent his final NFL seasons with the New York Jets in 2014 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015.
Interestingly, incredible achievements and significant setbacks marked Vick’s career. He has four Pro Bowl selections and still holds the NFL record for quarterback rushing yards, with an impressive 6,109 yards. However, injuries weren’t the only thing that interrupted Vick’s time on the field. Instead, legal troubles also caused him several troubles throughout his career. He missed the entire 2007 and 2008 seasons due to imprisonment and suspension for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. Despite the ups and downs, Vick left a lasting impact on the game, changing how people viewed the quarterback position.
2) Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush was a running back who played for the New Orleans Saints from 2006 to 2010. He later played for the Miami Dolphins from 2011 to 2012 and the Detroit Lions from 2013 to 2014. Known as one of the greatest college football players ever, Bush’s college career earned him many accolades. He won the AP National Championship twice and was named the AP College Football Player of the Year in 2005.
However, Bush’s dynamic and explosive playing style came with a cost. Injuries plagued his NFL career, limiting him to one fully healthy season, his rookie year, 2006. Bush achieved a significant milestone despite the setbacks by winning a Super Bowl with the Saints. Although injuries often interrupted his professional career, Bush’s impact on the college and NFL field is undeniable.
1) Troy Polamalu
Troy Polamalu is widely regarded as one of the greatest safeties in NFL history, and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 solidified that legacy. Spending his entire career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2003 to 2014, Polamalu made a significant impact on the field. He won two Super Bowls and made it to the Pro Bowl eight times.
However, a series of injuries also marred Polamalu’s career, keeping him off the field more often than he would have liked. Since 2006, he missed about a fifth of all his games, dealing with a range of injuries that often took a toll on his body. His injury history includes multiple knee issues, such as an MCL sprain in 2006 and 2009 and a PCL tear in 2009 and 2007, which required offseason surgery. In 2010, he battled an Achilles sprain, and by 2012, calf strains sidelined him during crucial games. He also suffered several concussions, with notable incidents in 2006, 2011, and 2012.
Polamalu’s resilience was evident, especially when he returned to play through injuries during critical moments, like in the postseason of 2014 after dealing with knee patella sprains. Even when battling injuries, his ability to perform at an elite level exemplifies his dedication to the game.
