The Detroit Lions suddenly have a heightened sense of the potential for serious injury following Morice Norris’s terrifying collapse. When Coach Dan Campbell spoke to the media in his post-game appearance, he admitted, “It’s an eye-opener. It puts things in perspective.”
Detroit Lions: How to Lessen the Risk of Serious Injuries
NFL training camp and preseason injuries have become an all-too-frequent occurrence. In many instances, serious injuries occur that threaten the careers of promising young athletes. While some injuries are unavoidable, there are steps NFL players can take to lessen the risk of serious damage.
Minimizing The Risk of Training Camp Injuries
Thankfully, the Lions provided an update late Friday night
on Norris’s condition after the Atlanta Falcons
game. He was in stable condition with “feeling and movement in all his extremities.” On Saturday morning, Norris took to Instagram to post the following message, “Amen Amen I’m all good man don’t stress it appreciate all the checks ins and love 
”
Training Camp and Preseason Injuries Have Become A Major Concern
According to ESPN, as of Sunday, Norris is back at the Lions’ practice. But the incident Friday night was a grim reminder of how quickly a sporting event can turn into a serious and even life-threatening situation. The Lions currently have seven players on injured reserve with season-ending injuries, including the three most recent additions: TE Kenny Yeboah, OL Colby Siorsdal, and OL Justin Herron. The nature of their injuries is unknown. Second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw and rookie safety Dan Jackson are the team’s two most recent casualties, following the news of DL Levi Onwuzurike’s ACL surgery. Earlier in the preseason, running back Kye Robichaux was waived with an injury designation.
All four have had their season cut short. Rakestraw, who struggled with injuries throughout his NFL career, underwent shoulder surgery on Thursday. The young cornerback has had a rough introduction to the NFL in his first two seasons. After a rookie campaign that saw Rakestraw log just 141 snaps across eight games last season, this was supposed to be his comeback year.
Instead, Rakestraw didn’t practice for several days due to a chest injury, and before that, he saw only limited action in training camp. When the young cornerback was finally cleared to practice, Rakestraw landed wrong on his very first tackle and injured his shoulder.
During last Sunday’s practice session, Jackson suffered a leg injury. The Lions’ seventh-round rookie draft pick was off to a promising start in camp before his injury. The 5’11” 194 lb. Georgia Bulldog was one of two safeties leading the unit in tackles during the Hall of Fame Game.
The severity of the leg trauma was immediately apparent. The following day, Campbell acknowledged, ”It doesn’t look good. “It looks like he’s going to be down for a while,” he reported.
Why Rookies May Be More Susceptible To Injuries
According to the NIH, Muscle injuries represent more than one-third of all injuries in football . For a rookie, the transition from college to the professional level can take a tremendous toll on the body. The increased stress and fatigue resulting from adjusting to an 18-week NFL season take a toll on all players, but it’s especially challenging for young rookies.
During short weeks with consecutive games scheduled with only a few days’ practice time in between, the time to recover from the effects of a game is insufficient, leading to acute fatigue and muscle pain. If an athlete pushes himself to compensate for these issues, it becomes even more risky, and the risk of injury is elevated.
In addition, rookies are already on information overload, trying to learn an entirely new playbook and familiarize themselves with different coaching styles and terminology. This only fuels the physical and mental fatigue.
The Need for Proper Conditioning and Recovery
The single most important factor is the need to properly prepare and condition the body to withstand the harsh NFL standards and train the body to recover quickly. NFL players rely on common preventative measures, such as proper hydration, nutrition, diet, and sleep, to help counter the effects of muscle fatigue. Cold water plunges and deep tissue massages are among the methods used to help reduce inflammation and spur faster recovery.
Tom Brady is a huge advocate of incorporating specific strategies for player conditioning. His TB-12 method is designed to improve health, longevity, and achieve peak performance. One of the key elements of TB-12 is using specific techniques to improve flexibility and muscle function. The recommended exercises reduce the risk of injury by increasing overall muscle health. In addition, muscles recover faster from extreme exertion and are more resilient.
Brady’s program also includes a strict diet plan along with recommended vitamins and nutritional supplements designed to promote energy and faster healing. Nutraceuticals and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids could prove helpful during rehabilitation and lead to a quicker recovery.
Players like Brady and Joe Flacco are proof that proper conditioning and recovery techniques can lead to peak success in their 40s. Lance Resiland of the Cleveland Plain Dealer explained that Flacco’s ability to maneuver and throw with accuracy under pressure is “rooted in elite mechanical consistency in his footwork, balance, and ability to transfer weight efficiently through his throws.”
How A Player’s Physique Might Increase Risk of Injury
Certain individuals may be more prone to injury simply based on their physique or genetics. Ongoing studies point to the likelihood that a slender physique could increase the risk of injury. This could explain why players such as Rakestraw (5’11” 188 lb.) could benefit by bulking up and increasing muscle and abdominal fat. Other injuries, such as ACL ruptures or concussions, could increase the possibility of repeat occurrences. Tua Tagovailoa’s previous concussion history could make him more susceptible.
Even when injuries do occur, certain individuals follow a stringent rehabilitation plan and just seem to recover quicker. Aidan Hutchinson is a perfect example. The University of Michigan grad broke his right ankle in November of 2020. He came roaring back the next season to record his best collegiate performance with 14.0 sacks and 17.0 tackles for a loss.
Just like he did in 2021, Hutchinson is poised for a big return this season. He’s fully recovered and looking stronger than ever in training camp. Perhaps the rest of the team should follow Hutchinson’s conditioning routine so they can stay healthy throughout the season and function at their peak performance.
Main Image: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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