On the broader injury landscape, Achilles tears rose in 2025, averaging 16 per year compared with a 13.5 historical average. League-wide ACL data showed roughly 30 tears by mid-December, the lowest figure in seven years. The year also featured more live plays, with kickoff returns rising sharply to 74.5% in 2025 from 32.8% in 2024, a context that makes the ACL improvement notable.
The season’s most injury-hit team was the Arizona Cardinals, who finished with 32 players missing time, while the Las Vegas Raiders were the least affected, with 10 players sidelined. These disparities illustrate how injuries shaped team-level outcomes in 2025 amid the overall league trends.
Dr. Jesse Morse’s breakdown of the 2025 ACL picture lists 12 tears across quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends, including Patrick Mahomes and Michael Penix Jr., Tyreek Hill, Malik Nabers, Gabe Davis, Tyrell Shavers, Antonio Gibson, Kenny McIntosh, Kendre Miller, Tucker Kraft, Zach Ertz, and Brevin Jordan.
Mahomes suffered a season-ending left ACL tear in Week 15 against the Chargers, with an MRI confirming the injury and surgery performed. He is projected to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, beginning the recovery arc late in the current cycle.
Micah Parsons also ended his season with a torn ACL, the result of a non-contact knee injury in Week 15 while with the Packers. After imaging confirmed the tear, Parsons closed out the 2025 campaign and now focuses on rehabilitation ahead of 2026.
Taken together, the league posted a mixed injury story in 2025: an overall drop in ACL injuries and a notable rise in Achilles cases, against a backdrop of higher live-play exposure and several high-profile season-ending ACLs. Teams and players will monitor recovery timelines closely as the NFL moves toward 2026.
