Medically Assessing 4 NFL 2024 Comeback Attempts From Season-Ending Injuries

Watch Dr. Chao's Full Assessment on SportsGrid's Youtube Channel

Dr. Chao's insights not only highlight the resilience and determination of NFL athletes in facing their injuries but also underscore the medical advancements and rehabilitation strategies that support their journey back to the field. The upcoming seasons will undoubtedly be a testament to these players' hard work and the medical teams' expertise in navigating the challenging road to recovery.

Watch his full interview here.

Joe Burrow Suffered Wrist Injury on Nov. 16/23

Joe Burrow's wrist injury, described by Dr. Chao as very unusual due to the ligament tear that caused instability, seems to have a silver lining. "It's an unusual surgery, but a very reliable recovery," Chao notes, indicating that Burrow is expected to fully participate late in the off-season program without issues for the next season.

Despite never participating in training camp due to various injuries over the years, Burrow's performance has not been hindered, leading to a cautious but optimistic outlook from the Bengals regarding his training camp participation this year.

Burrow sits third on next season's NFL MVP odds board at FanDuel. The Bengals pivot is at +1000, while his team is seventh in Super Bowl odds at +1500.

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JK Dobbins Suffered Torn Achilles Sept. 10/23

JK Dobbins' situation is complex, having suffered a multi-ligament tear followed by an Achilles tear, complicating his comeback. Chao points out that Achilles injuries are particularly challenging for running backs, contrasting with quarterbacks. Since his rookie year, Dobbins has faced significant challenges in maintaining his presence on the field. His struggles stem from playing only nine games after his debut season due to a torn ACL in 2021, compounded by missing nine games in 2022 due to a knee injury.

Despite this, he holds a glimmer of hope for Dobbins' return, albeit cautious about the impact of consecutive years of injuries on his performance.

Making matters worse for Dobbins, he is a free agent searching for a new NFL team after his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

Aaron Rodgers Suffered Achilles Injury Sept. 11/23

When Aaron Rodgers sustained an Achilles injury in preseason, there was immediate concern about his future with his new team, the New York Jets, especially given his age. However, Dr. Chao confidently states, "Achilles recovery is reliable, and at the age of 40, he's still gonna be faster than Tom Brady at 45 or even faster than my guy, Philip Rivers, at 25." 

He firmly believes that Rodgers will return to total health and capability next season, dispelling doubts about the quarterback's ability to come back from such a significant injury.

Rodgers and his team are right around the middle of the pack on futures boards. The Jets sit 14th with odds of +3000 to win the Super Bowl and the former Packer is 13th with +2500 MVP odds.

Nick Chubb Suffered ACL Injury Sept. 18/23

The prognosis for Nick Chubb, however, is less optimistic due to a significant knee dislocation involving multiple ligaments. Dr. Chao expresses his hope but acknowledges the gravity of the situation, stating, "Multi ligament injuries are a big deal." He emphasizes the difficulty of Chubb returning to his pre-injury form, suggesting it will be a "tall order to be Nick Chubb again," especially at the start of the season.

While he could be a salary cap cut casualty, Chubb's team at the moment sits 17th on the Super Bowl odds board. The Cleveland Browns are at +4500 to win next year's NFL championship.

Watch Dr. Chao's Full Assessment on SportsGrid's Youtube Channel

Dr. Chao's insights not only highlight the resilience and determination of NFL athletes in facing their injuries but also underscore the medical advancements and rehabilitation strategies that support their journey back to the field. The upcoming seasons will undoubtedly be a testament to these players' hard work and the medical teams' expertise in navigating the challenging road to recovery.

Watch his full interview here.