NFL headliners that might not see the field in the brewing season

The NFL season is knocking on the door, but not without some typical ultimatums. The gridiron and injury go hand in hand, be it in college football or professional football. Like every year, a few premium players who were supposed to headline the season are counting their days on the shelf.

The Los Angeles Chargers have already kick-started their training camp, sending a wake-up call to the others. Linebacker Daiyan Henley and running back Najee Harris seem good to go as they are fully healed from their respective shoulder and eye injuries. But not everybody stands on the other side of the fence. The list stretches long, including names from Deshaun Watson to Brandon Aiyuk.

Deshaun Watson (QB, Cleveland Browns)

The latest NFL injury galore looks like a critical juncture to lose sleep over.

Deshaun Watson, 29, is currently rehabbing after tearing his right Achilles Tendon. The treatment timeline is unknown, unsettled, and so is the return. The Browns' crown jewel is consciously converting the side eyes into fuel to return. ''Everyone's doubting me. Everyone doesn't believe in me. Everyone doesn't think that I can get back to where I was.

But I know and I believe in the work that I put in, what I believe in myself,'' the QB wrote in an IG post.

But the reality tastes different. It's the second time he ruptured his Achilles after October last year. So, the wound is deeper than the surface and needs proper time and care to be fixed. He's super serious attending every session in the rehab, trying to get back his strength, bit by bit. However, that does anything but guarantee a comeback in the opener against Cincinnati.

Nolan Smith (LB, Philadelphia Eagles)

The next in the list is Nolan Smith. He messed up with his triceps during the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and paid the price.

After a successful surgery in February, the 24-year-old is still recovering from the scratches. Doctors don't want to rush the process even if it means missing out on the significant week 1 battle against Dallas.

Brandon Aiyuk (WR, San Francisco 49ers)

Aiyuk tore ACL and MCL last October during a gruesome week 7 match against the Kansas City Chiefs. The severity of the injury and the consequent medical reports doens't show a green card for his first half return at the moment.

He won't even attend the training camps in the pre season. Aiyuk was also off to a lackluster start to the 2024 season, averaging only 58 yards per game with zero touchdowns before the injury derailed him.

Ernest Jones (LB, Seattle Seahawks)

Jones is trying to get the ball rolling after an off-season knee surgery. The former third-round pick has been dealing with a stagnant knee injury for years. After suffering the whole 2024 season with a problematic knee, the Seahawks LB decided to fix it for good.

Back in June, he said he's doing and feeling good comparatively. But a full-fledged return? Still a big question for the 25-year-old and his coaches and teammates.

Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB, Arizona Cardinals)

Sean's unavailability is not even a question, it's a straight fact. His knee got hurt during the offseason. While the details are still under wraps, the impact felt deep. Losing the most veteran gun in the CB room marks a significant setback for the Cardinals. ''(It) happened in the offseason (and he) had to have surgery to get it fixed," head coach Jonathan Gannon revealed in a press meet during May. "So he won't be able to play this year. It's a tough break for him, a tough break for us, but we'll move forward and so will he.''

The list includes more names. Bralen Trice (LB, Atlanta Falcons), Landon Jackson (DE, Buffalo Bills), Tyler Owens (SAF, Washington Commanders), and Eric Banks (DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), all of their status look dicey for a first-week return. But the show must go on regardless of who suits up and who doesn't. But having your favorite players on the shelf ahead of an exciting kickoff is a blow to the spirit, familiar yet deeply disheartening.Also read: Gracie Hunt latches onto her trending romance with Derek Green following a difficult breakup | NFL News - Times of India