With the N.F.L. lockout season ending and players entering into training camps after no supervised off-season workouts, many expected to see a series of the usual hamstring strains and quadriceps pulls. These are common early-season indicators of overexertion and uneven fitness.
However, so far it seems that the unintended winners of the lockout are orthopedic surgeons New York Times reported that even though training camps have been open for less than two weeks, unofficial counts have 10 players with season-ending Achilles’ tendon tears. Their latest victim, Mikel Leshoure, a rookie running back for Detroit.
According to figures compiled by Football Outsiders, a Web site that tracks every game of the season, nine players were on injured reserve with Achilles’ tendon injuries in the first week of last year’s season. And although the N.F.L. closely tracks injuries, it has not yet received injury data from trainers for training camps.
New York orthopedic surgery experts say that it is common to see spikes in particular injuries early on in the season then to see them drop back down the next. While it is average to see about 8 Achilles injuries during any give season, having 10 before the official start is something to note.
Generally, when there are unusual spikes in injuries, the N.F.L. takes a closer look at the workout programs and weight room regimens to try and figure out how to modify schedules and reduce injuries. Experts say that it is always usual to see muscle and tendon injuries earlier on in training camps, however usually it hamstring pulls are the culprit. One reason why the Achilles tendon injury number may have seen a spike this year is because teams are allowed to have more players than before.
Dr. Jonathan Glashow, a New York orthopedic surgeon and a co-director of sports medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, said the injury frequently happened to weekend tennis players who had not been on the court in months and then tried to play at full speed. He suspects the frequency will taper off as the football season continues and players work themselves into better shape. The injury is season ending, but it is not usually career threatening, Glashow said.
“It usually happens to muscles that are out of shape or when the limb has other ailments like a knee injury,” said Glashow, who treats professional athletes. “Having had that lockout, maybe some guys didn’t work out. I think they’re more vulnerable.
“My intuitive sense is this injury usually happens in people who are not ready to function yet. It usually happens to people at the beginning of the season, due to a lack of muscle memory or preparation, or at the end of the season, due to fatigue.”
