Five NFL teams that have lost the injury and suspension lottery

The end of the regular season leaves a huge void for fans, but is also a time of renewed hope. It is delusional for a fan of a 2-10 team to say, “We could be champions this year!” But, it is completely rational and sane for a fan to say, “Well, there’s always next season!”

There’s nothing worse, though, than watching your team’s key players sidelined due suspensions and injuries before the regular season even starts. The injury rate in professional football is extremely high, but it is still devastating to see a player fall to a season-ending injury so early in the football year.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers vented to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky and commented on the benefits of a shorter preseason, saying, “I think a lot of players around the league probably do (want to eliminate the preseason). At least cut it down, maybe, to a couple.”

Instead, the NFL has floated the idea of expanding the season by several games, something the NFL Players Association is opposed to. Conversely, reducing the number of preseason ideas is not popular among owners.

As much as fans hate seeing senseless preseason injuries, the NFL off season is so long that even meaningless preseason games become a source of entertainment and, more importantly for owners, revenue.

Meanwhile, Thom Mayer, medical direct of the NFLPA described the emotional cost of the injuries, saying via NBC, “As a physician your heart goes out to these guys. You feel so bad for them. These guys put so much into this and it is such a letdown for them, for their teams, for the fans.”

Perhaps even more frustrating are players who end up sidelined due to off-field violations such as drug use and poor personal conduct. An injury is a common risk to the game, while players have more control over questionable choices off the field.

Which NFL teams have players missing time because of suspensions and offseason and preseason injuries?

Next: From optimism to desperation