David Chao, MD
2 min read • July 28, 2022
Posted in
2021 record: 12-5 | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 10.5
Starting quarterback Dak Prescott is entering this season the healthiest he has been in his career and ready to lead his team following last year’s first round playoffs lost. Is it finally the year “America’s team” is back in the Super Bowl?
The Cowboys, who finished atop in the NFC East at 12-5, lost talent this offseason with the departures of Amari Cooper, Cedrick Wilson, Connor Williams and Randy Gregory.
CeeDee Lamb will be taking over the No. 1 wide receiver duties. His targets should increase especially with Michael Gallup still recovering from his ACL injury. Lamb had a season full of career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns.
It was an off-year for running back Ezekiel Elliot. He had the lowest touches of his NFL career but should be back to full form this season. His lingering PCL tear impacted his running ability as he averaged 4.2 yards per rushing attempt.
Tyron Smith is playing his 12th season on the offensive line. The 31-year-old left tackle said at the first day of training camp he is “the strongest and quickest” he’s been in a long time. His previous neck injury is alarming to our team of Pro Football Docs. He has missed 20 games combined over the last two seasons with a combination of neck and ankle issues.
The Cowboys’ first round pick offensive tackle Tyler Smith suffered from Blount’s disease where the growth plates around the knee cause the legs to bow. He had successful surgery in high school to correct his knees. The Pro Football Docs are not concerned with Smith and his previous condition.
Defensive cornerstone Demarcus Lawrence is back at full health after missing seven games in 2021. After a lackluster performance last season, the nine-year veteran aims to become the team’s sack leader two years since his foot fracture. He does face competition with second-year linebacker Micah Parsons, who tallied 13 sacks in his first season.
The only major injury concern on defense for the Cowboys is linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, who suffers from a neck condition that requires him to wear a neck brace during games.
The fifth-year receiver played in only nine games last season, the lowest of his career. He first sustained a left calf strain that held him out for seven games. The Colorado State alum then tore his ACL and MCL during Week 17. His 2021 statistics included 35 receptions for 445 yards and two touchdowns. His targets should increase this season with Pro-Bowl receiver Amari Cooper being traded away to the Browns.
Because he had surgery in February, Gallup is on the physically unable to perform list as expected. He likely will not be ready in time for the season opener. His production should only be down for the first half of the season.
The starting quarterback did undergo clean-up shoulder surgery in the offseason. The Pro Football Docs said the shoulder will not impede in Prescott’s ability to throw this season. He likely suffered the injury because of the lack of preseason preparation. He missed the entire preseason last year with a muscle strain on his throwing side. The 29 year old’s mobility may still be hampered by the 2020 ankle fracture and dislocation, though it is not something to be overly concerned about.
The running back’s decline in production last season can be attributed to a PCL injury he suffered on Nov. 7. He was able to play through the tear, which did not require surgery. Our team of Pro Football Docs said the PCL injury should be behind the former Buckeyes star. Mike McCarthy praised the 27 year old for his work during OTAs. Elliott long term, however, may be at risk for arthritis.
Nagging ankle and neck injuries have limited the All-Pro left tackle to 14 games over the last two seasons. The neck injury is said to have been addressed through surgery but has the potential to flare up at any point throughout the season. The 31 year old missed six games last season because of a left leg injury and right ankle bone spurs. Dr. David Chao said the biggest concern for Smith this season is the neck, not any of the last year’s leg injuries.
It has been two years since Lawrence’s foot fracture, so the Docs expect a big season for the Cowboys’ former sack leader. Before his down-year last season, Lawrence recorded as many as 38 solo tackles and 14.5 sacks. Now that he is fully recovered, the veteran should have a good year.
Vander Esch has a long injury history. Though he did play his first full season last year, the linebacker out of Boise State had neck surgery in 2019 and broke his collarbone in 2020 along with sustaining a high ankle sprain. The durability of his neck is something the Docs worry about as it is something that he continues to re-injure.
2021 record: 9-8 | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 9.5
The Eagles are entering year two with quarterback Jalen Hurts under center. The team opened camp in clear support of their quarterback: newly acquired wide reciver A.J. Brown donned a “Hurts Szn” hat and head coach Nick Sirianni wore a t-shirt with the face of his quarterback on it.
Hurts returns his year without any of the ankle issues that hindered his mobility last season. His running back Miles Sanders is also returning healthy, ready to prove he is worth a long-term deal from the organization. He is running behind the No. 1 offensive line in the league, according to Pro Football Focus.
The offensive line includes a younger, healthier group with Brandon Brooks retiring in this offseason. Lane Johnson missed three games last season with anxiety and depression, but has no other significant health concerns. He is still widely considered a top tackle in the NFL. He is joined by 2021 second round pick Landon Dickerson who is now two years recovered from his ACL injury while at Alabama.
Brown is joining a young wide receiver corps of former tenth overall pick DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, Zach Pascal and Jalen Reagor – who has impressed during the first week of camp.
34-year-old Brandon Graham is back at training camp as a full-go since his Week 2 tearing his left Achilles tendon. He may not look his usual self the beginning of the season but has the potential to be at full strength towards the latter half. The injury is not on his push-off leg, which makes it a faster recovery for the pass-rusher.
The defense added former Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean in the draft after he slipped into the third round because of injury concerns. The pectoral strain that scared off teams may impact the rookie. Because he did not opt for surgery, the pec has the potential to be an issue for tackling. Dean reported the injury did not limit him in OTAs or minicamp though Week 1 tackling is different than offseason tackling. Dean joins a young Eagles defense.
It should be a healthy year for the fifth-year running back despite missing five games last season. The broken hand and right ankle injury do not worry the Docs as he is entering a contract year. Sanders’ running load should increase with the Eagles having a more balanced attack between the running back and the team’s explosive receivers.
The 25-year-old star missed five games last season because of hamstring and chest injuries. None are expected to impact him in his first season with the Eagles. The question is the durability of Brown’s knees. He could be developing osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, considering he underwent procedures on both of his knees during the 2021 offseason. There is no indication that is slowing him down, but it can in the future.
Offensive lineman Isaac Semualo is fully recovered from his Week 3 Lisfranc foot injury and is full participant at training camp. He is taking over the right guard spot on the offensive line, which allows the 28-year-old to put less pressure on his right foot. Johnson has been plagued by ankle injuries while he also battled anxiety and depression. The Pro Football Docs are optimistic Johnson will be healthy for this season with the ankle injuries and mental health issues hopefully behind him. His score is lower than a 90 because there is always that risk for Johnson to miss a game or two.
2021 record: 7-10 | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 8.5
Washington’s football team is entering this season with a new name and a new starting quarterback. The Washington Football Team turned Washington Commanders acquired former Eagles and Colts quarterback Carson Wentz in the offseason.
He is joining running back Antonio Gibson who played the 2021 with a shin injury. Gibson, who aimed to become more of a three-down back, versus a receiving threat outperformed with 258 rushes for 1037 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. He added 42 receptions for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns out of the backfield.
Tight end Logan Thomas is the big issue on offense as he is coming off an ACL injury with additional knee damage. The Pro Football Docs do not have confidence in him for the first half of the season.
Wide receiver Curtis Samuel aims to bounce back after his unimpressive first year in Washington. A groin injury forced the former Carolina Panthers receiver to miss 11 games as he only grabbed 6 catches for 27 yards. Samuel has looked explosive and seems to have recovered from his soft tissue and muscle issues, according to reports from training camp
A centerpiece to the offensive line is now center Chase Roullier with Brandon Scherff leaving in free agency. He has been activated off the PUP list after his brutal leg injury last season.
The dominant Washington defensive front may be weaker to start the season with defensive Chase Young still recovering from his ACL injury. He is starting camp on the PUP list while Montez Sweat is back and recovered from last season's jaw fracture. The line currently sits at No. 2 for top units in the league, according to PFF.
Wentz is commonly labeled injury prone, but our panel of Docs said that is not entirely true. He has endured a laundry list of injuries including a torn left ACL and LCL, a fractured vertebra, a concussion, a foot fracture and ankle sprain. However, the former North Dakota quarterback can play through injuries and recovers quickly. He played all 17 games for the Indianapolis Colts last season and looks continue to stay healthy this season.
Gibson sustained a stress fracture in his shin but decided to play through the injury last season. The Pro Football Docs do not believe the shin injury will linger into his third season in the league and expect Gibson to impress with his rushing and receiving abilities.
Thomas is still rehabbing his knee after tearing his ACL, MCL and both menisci in his left knee. Because it was late-season injury, Thomas will not be back until at least couple weeks into the season. He is currently sitting on the training camp PUP list.
Chase Roullier is back in the lineup during training camp after working his way back from his season-ending left fibula injury. It has been a difficult road of recovery for Roullier who will not start the season healthy.
Cosmi, the team’s second round pick in 2021, missed eight games last season because of ankle and hip injuries. has since used the offseason to get healthy and improve his pass-blocking skills. The hip not the ankle worries the Docs about the potential for further injury. He PFF predicts Cosmi to be a potential breakout candidate on the offensive line.
The star defensive end is not going to be at full-strength to begin the year. He is currently sitting on the Commanders’ training camp PUP list. He is going to be playing on the side that requires pushing off the surgically repaired knee, which may be difficult for the pass-rusher.
After playing in 9.5 games last season, Sweat is fully healthy ahead of the 2022 season. His fractured jaw is fully healed as he dedicated the offseason to recovery and strength training.
2021 record: 4-13 | 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 7.5
With the Giants declining to pick up Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option, the former Duke quarterback needs to prove his worth this season. He will be led by offensive-mastermind Brian Daboll who was responsible for developing Bills star quarterback Josh Allen.
Jones did not have a great season last year in part due to a neck injury. He was also limited in the running game with star teammate Saquon Barkley hampered by an ankle injury. The former Penn State running back should make an impact this season.
On the other hand, the Giants’ wide receiver corps of Sterling Shephard, Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay has a host of injury concerns. The team did add receiver Wan’Dale Robinson in the draft to strengthen the wide receiver room.
The offensive line is another position group that could struggle this year with injuries considering the movement along the line with Evan Neal moving from his natural position of left tackle to right tackle. Neal heads into the year with a 92 SIC Score because the Docs are worried about the harms associated with position changes along the offensive line.
With center Jon Feliciano starting on the line with lingering injuries, the run-offense may be weak. 2022 draft pick Joshua Ezeudu joins the Giants line with a 81 SIC Score as he works to adjust to the intensity of the league.
Every position unit on the defensive apart from the linebackers is starting off the year healthy. Star middle linebacker Blake Martinez has a 70 SIC Score to begin the season. He is returning from his Week 3 ACL injury. He is not a full participant at training camp, but he avoided the PUP list and is working through individual linebacker drills.
Barkley is bound for a breakout season, according to the Docs. He is now two years removed from his 2020 ACL injury and will have full use of his surgically repaired knee. His ankle injury from last season should not have any impact on the running back this season. Expect to see Barkley back to his pre-injury self and ready to cut for monumental gains.
Structural neck damage kept the former Duke quarterback out for the final six games of the season. The neck injury is supposedly behind him as he was a full participant at OTAs in the spring. The Docs said neck injuries cannot be easily forgotten about and should be something to keep an eye on for Jones and his health.
Golladay does have an injury history, but he is entering the season as the Giants’ healthiest returning option at the position. Because Golladay does not rely on solely on speed, the Docs do not believe he will be hindered by last year’s knee and hamstring injuries. It finally may be the season where Golladay can stay completely healthy and become a reliant pass-catcher for the Giants.
It was an injury-riddled for the rookie out of the University of Florida. He is not particularly injury prone because he is not affected by a specific area. He suffered from ankle, hamstring, quad, oblique and shoulder injuries in his first year. The receiver also had a knee scope that held him out OTAs. Toney finished the year with 39 catches for 420 yards in 10 games. Last year’s injuries and shoulder injuries from college concern our Docs.
The former Oklahoma receiver has missed 20 games since 2019. The Docs are not high on him given last year’s Achilles injury and his previous groin and quad injuries. As the receiver is inching towards 30 with a multitude of previous injuries, he is not likely to be productive this season.
The former Bills offensive lineman has had a myriad of prior injuries including a torn pec, a neck injury and a calf injury. Since 2020, he has only played in 18 games. He will be playing center for the Giants after primarily playing left and right guard for the Bills.
Written by David Chao, MD
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Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott putting out that ‘Best Shape In Your Life Season’ workout propaganda…but in all seriousness I hope he can stay healthy this year… (🎥: @3hunnidGuru IG) #CowboysNation
Training camp Day 2: Antonio Gibson is still on the side field as he continues to be ramped up from a hamstring injury. It’s also very hot
AJ Brown said he is big on showing love Loved seeing Sirianni in a Hurts shirt today. Had on the “Hurts Szn” hat to let everyone know it’s Hurt’s time #Eagles
