Top Injuries from the 2024 NFL Season: A Look at the Biggest Setbacks and Their Impact
The 2024 NFL season was a rollercoaster filled with incredible performances, surprising upsets, and unfortunately, devastating injuries. Injuries are an inevitable part of the game, but some setbacks not only impacted individual players but also reshaped the course of the season for their respective teams. In this article, we break down the top injuries of the 2024 season, analyzing their impact on players, teams, and fantasy football enthusiasts.
Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) – Achilles, Calf, Knee Injury Ended His Season Early
Christian McCaffrey’s highly anticipated season was derailed before it even began. Due to bilateral Achilles injuries, his season debut was delayed until Week 10. However, his return was short-lived, as a knee injury ended his season in Week 13. The 49ers struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm without their star running back, affecting their playoff push.
J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings) – Knee Injury in Preseason Cost Him His Rookie Year
Minnesota’s rookie quarterback, J.J. McCarthy never got a chance to prove himself in 2024. A severe meniscus injury in the preseason ended his campaign before it even began. Requiring two separate surgeries, McCarthy’s injury was a major setback for the Vikings, who had high hopes for their new signal-caller.
Kenneth Walker (Seattle Seahawks) – Multiple Calf Injuries Disrupted His 2024 Season
Seattle’s star running back Kenneth Walker was expected to be a reliable RB1/RB2 in fantasy leagues. However, multiple injuries kept him out of action in crucial weeks, including Weeks 2-3, 14-15, and 17-18. He finished as the RB27, a major disappointment for both the Seahawks and fantasy managers.
Rashee Rice (Kansas City Chiefs) – Devastating Knee (LCL) Injury Ended His Breakout Year
Rice was off to an explosive start in the 2024 season before suffering a season-ending LCL injury in Week 4. The Chiefs’ offense felt the absence of one of Patrick Mahomes’ most reliable targets, as their passing game struggled in the following weeks.
Rashid Shaheed (New Orleans Saints) – Knee Injury Cut Short a Promising Season
Shaheed was having a breakout season before a knee injury in Week 6 ended his year. The Saints’ offense, already lacking consistency, suffered another major blow with his absence.
Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers) – ACL Tear After Holdout Left the 49ers Shorthanded
Aiyuk’s holdout at the start of the season already delayed his impact. Unfortunately, an ACL tear in Week 7 cut his return short, leaving the 49ers with limited receiving options as they fought for playoff positioning.
Deshaun Watson (Cleveland Browns) – Achilles Tear Derailed His Comeback Season
Watson had already battled multiple injuries in 2023, and his struggles continued in 2024. An Achilles tear in Week 7 sidelined him for the rest of the season, and a later setback further delayed his potential return. The Browns had to rely on backup quarterbacks in their playoff push.
Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) – Ankle Dislocation Ended a Stellar Season
Godwin was putting up an excellent season before a freak ankle dislocation (and likely fracture) in Week 7 ended his year. The Buccaneers’ passing attack suffered immensely without him.
Christian Kirk (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Clavicle Injury Ruined His Midseason Momentum
While not having a standout season, Kirk was still a dependable WR2/3. A clavicle injury in Week 8 ended his season prematurely, limiting the Jaguars’ offensive options.
Zack Moss (Cincinnati Bengals) – Neck Injury Gave Chase Brown a Bigger Role
Zack Moss and Chase Brown were expected to split carries for the Bengals, but a neck injury in Week 8 ended Moss’s season. This led to Brown taking over as a top-five running back for the rest of the year.
Stefon Diggs (Houston Texans) – ACL Tear Brought an Abrupt End to a Solid Season
Diggs was having a solid season before tearing his ACL in Week 8. With his injury, Houston lost a key weapon in their passing game, which significantly hurt their playoff chances.
Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints) – Multiple Concussions Forced an Early Shutdown
Drafted as a top-20 wide receiver, Olave’s season ended in Week 9 due to multiple concussions. He finished with only 32 receptions, far below expectations.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys) – Rare Hamstring Tear That Required Surgery
A rare season-ending proximal hamstring tear in Week 9 required surgery, leaving the Cowboys without their franchise quarterback. His absence was a major blow to their playoff hopes.
CeeDee Lamb (Dallas Cowboys) – Shoulder Sprain Limited His Dominant Season
Lamb’s monster season was hindered by an AC sprain in Week 11, which he reinjured multiple times. Eventually, he had to miss the fantasy championship, frustrating fantasy managers and Cowboys fans alike.
Taysom Hill (New Orleans Saints) – ACL Tear at 34 Years Old May Signal the End
At 34 years old, the versatile “Swiss Army knife” suffered an ACL tear in Week 13. His absence removed a key piece of the Saints’ offensive gadget plays.
Jonathon Brooks (Carolina Panthers) – Re-Tearing His ACL Cut Rookie Year Short
The Panthers had high hopes for their rookie running back, but Brooks tore his ACL for the second time in Week 14, cutting his season short before he could make an impact.
Evan Engram (Jacksonville Jaguars) – Shoulder Injury Stopped His Resurgence
Engram had established himself as a reliable tight end in the middle of the season. However, a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 14 halted his resurgence.
Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) – Multiple Knee and Foot Injuries Kept Him Sidelined
After starting the season on the PUP list due to an ACL injury, Chubb later suffered a foot injury in Week 15, officially ending his 2024 campaign.
Tank Dell (Houston Texans) – ACL Injury and Knee Dislocation May Be Career-Altering
Already struggling without Stefon Diggs, Dell suffered a potentially career-altering knee dislocation in Week 16. His future remains uncertain.
Christian Watson (Green Bay Packers) – ACL Tear Added to His Injury History
Watson’s struggles with injuries continued in 2024, ultimately culminating in an ACL tear in Week 18. His repeated injuries raise concerns about his long-term durability.
Final Thoughts: The Brutality of the 2024 NFL Season and What It Means for the Future
The 2024 season saw an unprecedented number of major injuries, significantly affecting both teams and fantasy football landscapes. With ACL tears, Achilles injuries, and concussions dominating headlines, player health and safety continue to be hot topics in the NFL. As teams prepare for the 2025 season, injury prevention and rehabilitation will be critical factors in determining success on the field.
