2022 Draft Injury Files: Round 1 Draft Crushes

With the 2022 NFL draft looming, we have officially reached mock draft season. With the combine recently concluding, pro days will create daily buzz over the coming weeks. Sure, a lot of guys are going to be looking good in shorts. However, it is very important to know what lies underneath the cloth. Injuries are interesting. Some carry career long risks, others are obsolete. Here is a look into the injury profiles of three prospects that are currently being mocked as the Buffalo Bills’ first round selection.

WR Jameson Williams (Alabama)

Jameson tore his left ACL on January 10^th, during the CFP championship game. The clarity of injury mechanism was profound.

He had his surgery about a week after the injury, which is fast. This also confirms reports that it was a clean injury, meaning no issues with meniscus, cartilage, or other ligaments. 

Unfortunately, due to the timing of the injury at the end of their season, Jameson likely will not be ready for the start of the 2022 NFL season. The average return the play is 10.8 months (1). This would project a return around November.

The risk of selecting a player with an ACL injury is significant. It was discovered that, of all players who required an ACL reconstruction prior to entering the NFL, 25% had another ACL tear (2). Buyer beware.

WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)

Burks was very healthy during his time at Arkansas. However, he did have an ACL reconstruction during his senior year of high school. This was all the way back in 2018. The average time of a second ACL tear is around 2 years (2). He has likely distanced himself far enough from his previous injury to alleviate any concerns.

mayoclinic.org

CB Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson)

Andrew did not perform on-field drills at the combine. Reports are that he sustained a quad injury in the weeks leading up to the combine. Otherwise, he has no other notable injury history, thus no major health concerns for interested NFL teams. 

physioworks.com.au

It’s plausible to think this injury is being used as an excuse. He may not be fast and feared a slow 40 time may hurt his draft value. He will have a pro day to redeem himself. Hopefully he is doing some serious thigh conditioning.

Citations

1. Shah VM, Andrews JR, Fleisig GS, McMichael CS, Lemak LJ. Return to play after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in National Football League athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2010 Nov; 38(11): 2233-9. doi: 10.1177/0363546510372798. Epub 2010 Jul 7. PMID: 20610771.
2. Stuhlman CR, Owens CJ, Samuelson EM, et al. Recurrent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears in the National Football League: A Case-Control Study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2019; 7(12): 2325967119891413. Published 2019 Dec 24. doi: 10.1177/2325967119891413