TABLE 5.

NFL Participation Data by Athlete Position^a

Position	Injury: Participation
Offense
Offensive lineman	Shoulder instability: decreased chance of playing in NFL Rotator cuff tear: shorter playing career and fewer games played ACLR: decreased chance of playing in NFL, shorter playing career, and lower snap percentageb Meniscectomy: fewer games playedb and lower snap percentageb Ankle injury: fewer games playedb
Quarterback	Shoulder injury: fewer games playedb
Running back	Spondylolysis: decreased chance of playing in NFL Meniscectomy: fewer games playedb Chondral injury (knee): decreased fantasy scoreb
Tight end	Shoulder injury: fewer games playedb Hand injury: fewer games playedb
Wide receiver	Shoulder instability: shorter playing career Meniscectomy: fewer games playedb Chondral injury (knee): decreased fantasy scoreb
Defense
Defensive back	Cervical spine diagnosis: shorter playing career and fewer games played Lumbar spine diagnosis: shorter playing career, fewer games played, and lower performance score Hand injury: fewer games playedb ACLR: lower snap percentageb Meniscectomy: decreased chance of playing in NFL, shorter playing career, fewer games played,b and lower snap percentageb
Defensive lineman	Shoulder instability: decreased chance of playing in NFL and shorter playing career Rotator cuff tear: shorter playing career and fewer games played ACLR: decreased chance of playing in NFL, fewer games played,b and lower snap percentageb Meniscectomy: played fewer gamesb and lower snap percentageb Chondral injury (knee): decreased fantasy scoreb Ankle injury: fewer games playedb
Linebacker	ACLR: decreased chance of playing in NFL, fewer games played,b and lower snap percentageb Meniscectomy: played fewer gamesb and lower snap percentageb Chondral injury (knee): decreased fantasy scoreb

^aACLR, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; NFL, National Football League.

^bIn first 2 NFL seasons after the combine only.