Every NFL season is full of exciting plays, but behind all the action is a tough truth: injuries are a big part of the game. From concussions to torn ligaments, players risk their bodies every week, and sometimes the effects last long after the game is over.

Knee injuries, like ACL and MCL tears, are some of the most common. One wrong step or hard hit can put a player out for the season. Concussions are also a major problem. The NFL has made new rules and safety changes, but many players still deal with serious health issues once they stop playing.

For fans, injuries can change a team’s season in one moment. For players, it’s much more serious—it can cost them their career, their money, and even their health for the rest of their lives. As one lineman once said, “You don’t leave this game without scars—some you see, some you don’t.”

The NFL is trying to make the game safer, but injuries will always be part of football. The sport may be exciting, but it’s also a dangerous job that takes a real toll on the athletes who play it.