A Stat To Make You Cry

[Philosophers]

This season the Vikings only put two players on injured reserve according to an article I read.  Proof that teams can have low injury levels.

[katkavage]

This season the Vikings only put two players on injured reserve according to an article I read.  Proof that teams can have low injury levels.

Yet Detroit has been whacked by injuries and they have the NFC's best record. Most teams do not go unscathed. Those who hand them are the winners.

[MightyGiants]

This season the Vikings only put two players on injured reserve according to an article I read.  Proof that teams can have low injury levels.

Joe,

It's not an accident.  The head of Medical for the Vikings is Tyler Williams.  Williams holds a master's degree from California University of Pennsylvania (2012), performance enhancement and injury prevention. He completed his bachelor's degree in exercise science (2006) with an emphasis in athletic training at Truman State.  He honed his craft with the Rams a team with a great track record for keeping their players healthy and on the field.

Compared to the 72-year-old Ronnie Barnes, Ronnie Barnes went through East Carolina's sports medicine program, becoming the first certified athletic trainer to graduate from the program. He was then named as an assistant trainer and instructor for ECU after graduation in 1975.

He moved on to Michigan State University, where he earned his master's degree in 1977 and became head trainer and an assistant professor. 

Ronnie's credentials are solid but from over 50 years ago.  Both have won awards, but Ronnie's are from the last century, while Tyler's are more recent.

[MightyGiants]

Yet Detroit has been whacked by injuries and they have the NFC's best record. Most teams do not go unscathed. Those who hand them are the winners.

There have been teams that overcome injuries, remain competitive, and, on rare occasions, win a Super Bowl.  That said, it's the healthier teams that tend to make it to the playoffs.  Overcoming injuries are the exception rather than the rule.

[katkavage]

There have been teams that overcome injuries, remain competitive, and, on rare occasions, win a Super Bowl.  That said, it's the healthier teams that tend to make it to the playoffs.  Overcoming injuries are the exception rather than the rule.

I agree but it depends on the extend of the injuries. But we all must recognize injuries are an epidemic in the NFL. If you avoid them like the Vikings did this year, it's more about luck than anything else.

[MightyGiants]

I agree but it depends on the extend of the injuries. But we all must recognize injuries are an epidemic in the NFL. If you avoid them like the Vikings did this year, it's more about luck than anything else.

For a given year, I agree luck plays a role.  Over a span of years, I think it's less luck and more the medical department's ability, along with the GM giving the medical people an appropriate role.  There are teams like the Eagles and Rams who tend to be on the healthier side over time.

Here are a couple of longer-term measures of time lost


Using the now closed man-days-lost website




Using Football Outsiders adjusted games lost.

[Bob In PA]

There have been teams that overcome injuries, remain competitive, and, on rare occasions, win a Super Bowl.  That said, it's the healthier teams that tend to make it to the playoffs.  Overcoming injuries are the exception rather than the rule.

Rich: I'd point to all of the years "in the wilderness" for the Lions. Eventually, even bad GM's (and they've had a few) start to build up a deep roster (even if it happened primarily due to random chance), not to mention constantly picking before the vast majority of teams, again and again.  Oh, and I do agree that overcoming injuries is the exception rather than the rule. Bob