NFL Players Returning from Injury Who Will Make Major Impacts in 2016
The 2016 NFL draft is a thing of the past, and this year's edition of free agency has seen it's activity slow to a trickle. It's now time for NFL teams to integrate their new pieces and begin preparing for the regular season.
Through all the excitement the offseason brings, it's easy to forget that some of this year's biggest additions aren't going to come from free agency or the draft, but off the injury list.
Last year, for example, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer returned from a torn ACL to pass for more than 4,600 yards and to lead his team to the NFC title game. Arizona was good enough to reach the postseason without Palmer the year before, but his return made the Cardinals true title contenders in 2015.
We're going to examine some players returning from injury who can make similar impacts on the 2016 season. We'll look at each guy's specific injury and exactly why he can affect his team by returning.
To qualify for our list, a player must have finished the 2015 season on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and must have missed at least eight regular-season games due to injury. This means players like Andrew Luck and Julian Edelman won't qualify, even though they were clearly missed for large portions of the 2015 regular season.
Do you agree with our choices? Be sure to let us know in the comments section.
Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't get to see what kind of an impact 2015 third-overall pick Dante Fowler Jr. could make as a rookie. The former Florida pass-rusher tore his ACL during the first practice of rookie camp and missed the entire year.
The Jaguars, who were rated just 27th in pass rushing by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season, could definitely have used his sack potential.
Fortunately, it appears Jacksonville will have Fowler's services in 2016. He has been on the field for early offseason workouts, and the reports have been encouraging.
“I thought Dante looked really good,” Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley recently said, per John Oehser of Jaguars.com. “He still has some work to do. He has a little rustiness. We’re holding him back a little. We just want to see how he comes along and how he handles it, but attitude? Work ethic? Unbelievable.”
Fowler produced 8.5 sacks for the Gators in 2014, and even that kind of production will be a welcome addition for the Jacksonville defense. However, we're expecting the Jaguars to coax even more production from their new edge-rusher in 2016.
Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers
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A torn ACL cost Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson his entire 2015 season. Nelson suffered the injury during the preseason and spent the year watching from the sidelines.
The Packers offense suffered as a result.
Green Bay lost a guy who produced 1,519 receiving yards the year before and who changes what the team can do on the field.
Without his top deep threat, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled to consistently push the ball toward the end zone. Nelson can undoubtedly take the top off a defense. Without him, opponents simply weren't intimidated by Green Bay's receiving corps.
Pro Football Focus rated the Packers second overall in receiving for the 2014 season. The Nelson-less 2015 Packers were rated just 27th.
This is why his 2016 return is going to make such a major impact on the regular season. Assuming he can return to pre-injury form, Nelson is going to make the Green Bay passing attack potent again and should help the team regain contender status.
Cameron Wake, DE, Miami Dolphins
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The Miami Dolphins lost pass-rusher Cameron Wake to a torn Achilles' after just seven games in 2015. Wake produced 7.0 sacks in those seven games, and his injury left the Dolphins without one of their top pass-rushers.
Fortunately, the Dolphins signed Wake to a contract extension this offseason and should have him back for 2016 and beyond.
"He's really exceeded expectations, in terms of where he is and where our doctors thought he would be when he got hurt," executive vice president Mike Tannenbaum said, per Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald.
The return of Wake is especially important because Miami lost pass-rusher Olivier Vernon in free agency this offseason. Vernon was rated second overall among edge-rushers by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season.
The Dolphins signed Mario Williams this offseason to help offset the loss of Vernon. However, it might well be Wake—who has 18.5 sacks over the last two seasons—who ends up being the more vital addition.
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Steve Smith Sr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
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The 2015 season was supposed to be the last for Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. However, that was before Smith suffered a ruptured Achilles' that ended his season after seven games.
Smitty isn't going out like that.
Smith announced late last year that he will return for the 2016 season, which is tremendous news for the Ravens. Baltimore is short on experienced, productive wideouts, and Smith is the epitome of that.
This is why he's on this list, and fellow Ravens receiver Breshad Perriman—a raw product who missed his entire 2015 campaign—is not.
Smith is entering his 16th NFL season. He has a whopping 961 receptions, 13,932 yards and 76 touchdowns on his resume. He was on pace for a 1,500-yard season before his injury last year. Smith seems to believe he can become just the second 37-year-old wideout in league history to post a 1,000-yard season this year.
"The numbers I put up will be the numbers I put up, and I'll happen to put up those numbers at the age of 37," Smith said last year, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com.
Kevin White, WR, Chicago Bears
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Second-year receiver Kevin White of the Chicago Bears missed his entire rookie campaign after leg injuries forced him to undergo preseason surgery. Technically, White was never placed on injured reserve, but he was never activated from the PUP list.
White's return can make a big impact on the Chicago offense because it provides the Bears with a big, physical receiver capable of complementing Alshon Jeffery. The West Virginia product racked up more than 1,400 yards receiving to go with 10 touchdowns in 2014.
White has had nearly a year to recover from his surgery and is expected to be at 100 percent when the season opens. He appears to be putting in the work now to ensure he can make a difference when he reaches the field.
“He’s a hard worker," Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains recently said, per John Mullin of CSN Chicago. "His attitude is contagious because he is very positive; he doesn’t have bad days."
Le'Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell only appeared in six games last season. He spent the first two games of the season on suspension and missed the final eight because of a torn MCL. The injury occurred in Week 8 after a tackle by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
According to Bell, the injury may have been the result of an intent to injure.
"I feel there are a lot of teams that try to do that, try to take me out of the game," Bell said, per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I don't think it was just [Burfict]. It felt like the whole team was out there trying to twist my ankles and do little dirty stuff in between piles."
The good news for Pittsburgh is that Bell should be ready to return in time for the season opener.
According to Adamski, Bell took part in individual drills during the Steelers' most recent OTA session. He hasn't been working in team drills, but the fact that Bell is even on the practice field is a promising sign.
Having Bell back in the lineup this season will be a blessing for Pittsburgh. The Michigan State product appeared in all 16 games in 2014 and produced 2,215 combined rushing and receiving yards. He racked up 692 combined yards just in his six appearances last season.
Getting that kind of production back will be huge.
Maurkice Pouncey, C, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey missed the entire 2015 season after suffering a broken leg in the preseason.
Pouncey is a four-time Pro Bowler and one of the top centers in the entire NFL. In fact, Pouncey has been to the Pro Bowl in each NFL season he has finished healthy. He missed 15 games due to injury in 2013, the only other year in which he wasn't awarded a spot in the Pro Bowl.
Pro Football Focus rated him third overall among centers for the 2014 season.
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pouncey has been a full participant in early offseason workouts and doesn't expect his injury to be a lingering issue.
"I’m 26 years old, man,” Pouncey said, per Fittipaldo. “I’m doing everything. I don’t need time off. I’m [ticked] off I missed a lot. I’m ready to go.”
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys lost multiple players to injury during last year's disappointing 4-12 campaign. The most significant loss was that of quarterback Tony Romo.
Romo appeared in just four games in 2015. He suffered a fractured collarbone in Week 2, was put on short-term injured reserve and made his return in Week 11. Unfortunately, he suffered another collarbone break in Week 12. He went 3-1 as a starter.
The impact of Romo's return is clear. He is an upper-level quarterback and one of the centerpieces of the entire Dallas roster. He was named to the Pro Bowl after the 2014 season and was rated seventh overall among quarterbacks by Pro Football Focus for that season. A Pro Bowl quarterback would be a huge addition for any team.
Romo underwent a procedure to help prevent future clavicle injuries early this offseason and has been working hard to get back into playing shape.
“When you miss that much time, you start it sooner,” tight end Jason Witten recently said of Romo's offseason progress, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com. “He’s in a position that he’s constantly pushing himself, evaluating it and trying to give himself an edge. He does that better than anybody."
It shouldn't be surprising to see Romo right back in Pro Bowl form when the regular season begins.
Joe Haden, CB, Cleveland Browns
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Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden was limited by a number of injuries during the 2015 season. He was eventually placed on injured reserve with a concussion late in the season and appeared in just five games.
Because of ankle and finger injuries, Haden wasn't his usual effective self even when he was on the field and the Browns defense suffered all season long.
Fortunately, it seems like Haden will be back in time for the 2016 opener. At least, that is his intention.
"I don't really know about training camp," Haden recently said, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. "That's the goal, try to get back, but I just know for sure that my whole thing is, I'm not missing any games.''
But considering Haden underwent ankle surgery early this offseason, that goal could be tough to meet. However, he should be back on the field at some point early in the regular season. This will be a massive boon for the Browns defense, as Haden is one of the league's top cornerbacks when healthy.
Pro Football Focus rated Haden 29th overall among cornerbacks for the 2014 season, in which he was healthy and earned a Pro Bowl nod.
Nate Solder, OT, New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots battled through a number of injuries during the 2015 season, but none more significant than the loss of starting left tackle Nate Solder, who started four games before being lost for the year to a torn bicep.
His injury began a shuffling process along the offensive line that followed the Patriots for the remainder of the season.
Fortunately, it looks like Solder will be back to normal in time for the 2016 opener.
"Everything is going as well as they hoped it would go; just great,” Solder said early in the offseason, per Mike Reiss of ESPN.com.
Having Solder back on the field should bring a major boost to New England and its quarterbacks. Solder was graded as the 12th best offensive tackle in the NFL in 2013 before slipping to 87th in 2014 according to Pro Football Focus. The Patriots need Solder to return to his 2013 form after the Patriots were rated the second-worst in pass blocking for the 2015 season. That shaky offensive line was one of the reasons why New England fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance.
Keenan Allen, WR, San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers dealt with multiple offensive injuries during the 2015 season, but receiver Keenan Allen's lacerated kidney was clearly the most impactful.
The injury caused Allen to miss the final eight games of the year.
Allen may not be one of the league's premier wide receivers quite yet, but he certainly looked like one during his time on the field last year. Through his eight appearances, Allen racked up 67 receptions, 725 yards and four touchdowns.
Pro Football Focus rated Allen 29th overall among wideouts for the 2015 season.
According to Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com, Allen "looked like his old self" in recent OTA practices. This is good news for the Chargers, who are looking to rebound after going winless in the AFC West last season.
Terrell Suggs, LB, Baltimore Ravens
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Last season was an injury-filled one for the Baltimore Ravens. Multiple players wound up on injured reserve by year's end, but star pass-rusher Terrell Suggs found his way there at the beginning of the campaign.
Suggs suffered a torn Achilles' in the season opener against the Denver Broncos.
Without Suggs, the Ravens' pass rush lost much of its punch. That's just what happens when you lose a player who produced 12.0 sacks the season before.
Baltimore's pass rush was rated just 24th in the NFL by Pro Football Focus for the 2015 season. PFF rated the Ravens pass rush first in the NFL for the 2014 season, when Suggs was healthy.
Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers
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The Carolina Panthers saw receiver Kelvin Benjamin's 2015 campaign end before it even began. The Florida State product tore his ACL during an August practice, causing him to miss the entire season.
On paper, it would seem like the Panthers barely missed the second-year wideout. Carolina lost just one regular-season game and finished the year with the league's top-ranked scoring offense (31.2 points per game).
Benjamin's absence, though, might have been one of the reasons why the Panthers struggled to move the ball against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. His return this season will be most welcome. After all, we're talking about a 6'5", 240-pound pass-catcher who produced 73 receptions, nine touchdowns and more than 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie in 2014.
According to Benjamin, he'll be back to 100 percent in time for training camp.
“Oh, I’m doing everything,” Benjamin said, per Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer. “I can’t wait to get to training camp. I’m looking forward to it.”
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/nfl-blog/article73749262.html#storylink=cpy
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