MEXICO – With the start of the 2021 NFL season hours away, it’s time to take a look at the players who are trying to come back from serious injuries that sidelined them for most of last season.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys QB
Prescott suffered a devastating ankle injury in Week 5 of 2020, yet the Cowboys awarded him a 4-year, $ 160 million deal with $ 126 million guaranteed. Prescott’s deal can be worth up to 164 million and has a signing bonus of 66 million, the highest in history.
Dallas hopes that his confidence in Prescott will translate into results on the field to return to the playoffs after two years of absence.
Odell Beckham Jr., Browns WR
Beckham injured his ACL in a season in which Cleveland ended up winning its first postseason game in nearly three decades without him on the field.
The spotlight is on Beckham because his salary is among the highest on the roster and the Browns could part with the receiver to reinforce other areas of need after 2021.
Joe Burrow, Bengals QB
Burrow’s promising rookie season came to an abrupt end with a terrible knee injury leaving the Bengals adrift, who hope to have him back in full swing.
Burrow finished his interrupted year with 264 completions for 2,688 yards with 13 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
Saquon Barkley, RB for the Giants
With the Giants struggling to come out of their current crisis, their hopes in 2020 were dashed when Barkley injured his knee in Week 2 against the Bears.
Barkley surpassed the 1,000-yard barrier in his first 2 years in the league, and if he gets back to his pre-injury level, the Giants can hope to compete in their division.
Christian McCaffrey, Panthers RB
After the best season of his career in 2019, McCaffrey suffered a series of injuries that limited him to playing just three games in 2020 (in which he somehow managed to score 6 touchdowns).
McCaffrey’s return will help newly acquired QB Sam Darnold better adapt to a new offense and finally get a chance to shine in head coach Matt Rhule’s system.
Von Miller, LB of the Broncos
Days before the start of the regular season, in the last exercise of a normal practice, Miller, the MVP of Super Bowl 50, injured his ankle and ended up missing all year.
The injury snapped Miller’s six-game straight Pro Bowl streak, who is the active player with the most sacks in the NFL with 106 and will likely try to keep moving away from his closest pursuer, JJ Watt with 101.
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