The injury rate for NFL players is nearly 100%. If you play professional football, you will end up with an injury. So, it isn't entirely shocking that many NFL players are out this season with injuries. The number and severity of the injuries are somewhat shocking, however. Take a look at this list, and imagine reading it in July 2015. Nobody would have predicted that this many star athletes would be unable to play for part or all of the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Ben Roethlisberger- Foot and knee injuries kept the quarterback sidelined for four games this season.
OT Kelvin Beachum- 2015 was supposed to be a huge year for the offensive lineman. Instead, he tore is ACL in Week 6 and is out for the season.
RB Le'Veon Bell- After panic about the team's ability to function with out him, DeAngelo Williams filled in just fine while Bell was serving his suspension at the beginning of the season. Then, in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Bell tore his MCL. He, too, is out for the season.
C Maurkice Pouncey- Before the regular season even started, Pouncey was sidelined with a leg injury that required surgery. He has not been able to return to the field.
The Steelers have suffered other season-ending injuries (including to kicker Shaun Suisham and second-round draft pick cornerback Senquez Golson) and other less severe injuries throughout the season.
Other Teams- Selected Injuries
Baltimore Ravens- Quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Steve Smith, linebacker Terrell Suggs, tight end Dennis Pitta, and running back Justin Forsett (to name a few)
Cincinnati Bengals- Quarterback Andy Dalton, cornerback Adam 'Pacman' Jones
Houston Texans- Runing back Arian Foster
New England Patriots- Tight end Rob Gronkowski (out for just a few games), running back LeGarrette Blount, wide receiver Julian Edelman
Green Bay Packers- Wide receiver Jordy Nelson
Cleveland Browns- Quarterback Josh MicCown, cornerback Joe Haden, wide receiver Brian Hartline
Arizona Cardinals- Running back Chris Johnson
Buffalo Bills- Receiver Percy Harvin
Dallas Cowboys- Quarterback Tony Romo
Indianapolis Colts- Quarterback Andrew Luck, running back Ahmad Bradshaw
Kansas City Chiefs- Running back Jamaal Charles
New York Giants- Wide receiver Victor Cruz, defensive end Owamagbe Odighizuwa
Seattle Seahawks- Running back Marshawn Lynch, running back Thomas Rawls, tight end Jimmy Graham
Washington Redskins- Center Kory Lichtensteiger
San Francisco 49ers- Running back Carlos Hyde
Oakland Raiders- Defensive end Justin Tuck
This list is by no means comprehensive, but it does highlight the extent of injuries to teams' star players this season. Though Dalton could still return, the Bengals have certainly lost momentum at a critical point in the season. Other teams have suffered the same fate, adding to the wide-open playoff pictures in some divisions. Even teams that are sure-bets for the playoffs could end up hobbled by late-season injuries.
Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is running a $1.2M fantasy football league on Sunday. First place wins $100,000. Join now!