Prior Injuries & Future Participation in National Football League (NFL) Prospects

Abstract

2215 PURPOSE & METHODS: To analyze sports medicine injuries and to predict future participation in the National Football League, we evaluated medical, physical, and performance variables in 384 (196 Offense, 149 Defense, and 39 Undefined) top US college football players who were tested at the 2000 Indianapolis NFL Combine. We then tracked these players' participation in the NFL over the next two consecutive years by using NFL consolidated summaries collected after each pro game. RESULTS: Within the previous 5 yr, 58% (n = 223) of players accounted for 524 significant injuries and 257 surgeries or 1.4 injuries and 0.7 surgeries per player for the entire group. 17% (n = 64) had 1 injury, 18% (n = 70) had 2 injuries, 15% (n = 58) had 3 injuries, and 8% (n = 31) had 4 or more injuries within the past 5 yr. The most recent, primary sites of injury were the knee (20%, n = 77), shoulder (11%, n = 42), ankle (7%, n = 26), lower back (5%, n = 19) and hand (3%, n = 13). The top primary diagnoses were tear (18%, n = 70), dislocation/subluxation (9%, n = 36), fracture (7%, n = 28), and repetitive trauma/loose bodies (7%, n = 26). 14% of players (n = 54) had significant degenerative joint diseases or arthritis as documented by comprehensive orthopedic analyses and imaging. The highest body mass indices (BMI) were in offensive lineman and defensive tackles (both 38), while the lowest were in defensive backs (27) and wide receivers (26). For all player classifications, average BMI were higher than national recommendations (< 25) predicting relatively higher disease risk and a shortened life span. Though there was wide variability, offensive lineman (yr 1: 16%, yr 2: 21%), wide receivers (yr 1: 14%, yr 2: 18%), defensive ends (yr 1: 17%, yr 2: 27%) and linebackers (yr 1: 15%, yr 2: 29%) had the highest participation. 61% of players (n = 235) were classified as minimal participants (<10% of plays for both yr). For offense, orthopedic grade was a significant predictor of participation in running backs (8% of variance) and wide receivers (10% of variance) for the 1st year (both P<0.05). For defense, the total number of injuries (11%) and total number of surgeries (11%) were significant predictors of participation in linebackers only (both P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While predicting participation may be crucial from an owner and coach perspective, we are concerned more with the health and well-being of these athletes well into the future. Our data imply that many players who report to the Combine have significant injuries prior to entering the NFL, that a vast majority subsequently drafted have very little impact in the 1st and 2nd yr, and that BMI, preexisting injuries and arthritis predict significant future health consequences.