NFL preseason games produced 112 concussions in one tracked stretch. That total marked the highest count since monitoring started. Injury rates rise from youth levels through college programs to professional ranks.
Key Takeaways
- In the 2022 NFL regular season, there were 285 reported concussions among players, representing a 10.5% increase from 2021, with quarterbacks experiencing the highest rate at 2.1 per 1000 snaps
- NFL overall injury rate 15.7 per 1000 AEs in 2022 regular season, up 4% from 2021
- NFL 2022 season saw 214 ACL tears, with 62% non-contact mechanisms and average recovery 258 days
- NFL players with 3+ year career post-ACL 65%, down from 80% pre-2000
- NFL spine injuries totaled 112 in 2022, 45% lumbar strains
- NFL shoulder dislocations totaled 89 in 2022, 78% anterior, quarterbacks 22%
Football injuries remain common, with ankle and hamstring problems among the most frequent and sidelining players.
Related reading
01 · Category
Head and Neck Injuries30 stats
01
In the 2022 NFL regular season, there were 285 reported concussions among players, representing a 10.5% increase from 2021, with quarterbacks experiencing the highest rate at 2.1 per 1000 snaps
02
NCAA Division I football players sustained 1,147 concussions from 2014-2018, averaging 229 per year, with a rate of 6.9 per 10,000 athlete-exposures primarily during practices
03
High school football accounts for 20% of all sports-related concussions in youth athletes, with over 67,000 estimated annually based on NEISS data from 2010-2019
04
NFL players had a concussion incidence of 1.62 per 1000 game exposures in 2021, compared to 0.41 in practices, with linemen at highest risk
05
From 2010-2020, college football saw 4,996 concussions, with 64% occurring in games despite fewer exposures, rate of 9.9 per 10,000 AEs
06
Youth football (ages 6-14) reported 41,000 concussions per year from 2012-2016 per NEISS, with tackling drills responsible for 50%
07
NFL 2023 preseason had 112 concussions, highest since tracking began in 2012, rate 4.2 per 1000 AEs
08
Cervical spine injuries in NFL from 2010-2019 totaled 127, with 18% requiring surgery, mostly stingers at 72%
09
Pop Warner youth football concussions rose 28% from 2012-2016, 1.1 per 1000 exposures
10
Division III college football concussion rate 5.2 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014, higher in games (14.3)
11
NFL helmet-to-helmet contacts caused 35% of concussions in 2022, per sensor data from 32 teams
12
High school football linemen had concussion rates of 8.9 per 10,000 exposures 2012-2017
13
NCAA FBS quarterbacks concussion rate 4.2 per 10,000 plays 2014-2019
14
NFL return-to-play after concussion averaged 7.4 days in 2021, down from 10 days pre-protocol
15
Youth flag football concussions 62% lower than tackle, 0.41 vs 1.08 per 1000 AEs 2012-2015
16
NFL 2015-2020 saw 1,200+ concussions, with 25% repeat within season
17
College football neck injuries 3.1 per 10,000 AEs 2011-2016, burners 68%
18
High school football concussions peaked at 10,370 in 2012 per NEISS, declining 36% by 2018
19
NFL defensive backs concussion rate 2.8 per 1000 snaps 2020-2022, highest positionally
20
NCAA all divisions concussions totaled 23,000+ from 2009-2019, practices 70%
21
NFL players with prior concussion 3.5x higher reinjury risk within 2 years
22
Youth tackle football (9-12yo) concussion rate 9.6 per 100 athlete-games 2016-2020
23
College football facial lacerations with concussion 15% co-occurrence 2010-2015
24
NFL 2022 had 25 cervical stingers requiring MRI, 12% chronic
25
High school football concussions 65% from player-player contact
26
NCAA D1 football helmet impact sensors detected 500,000+ high-risk hits linked to 40% concussions 2019-2022
27
NFL concussion baseline tests showed 18% abnormal pre-season 2021
28
Pop Warner 5-9yo concussions 4.2 per 100,000 exposures 2012-2018
29
College football brachial plexus injuries 1.2 per 10,000 AEs, 80% linemen 2004-2009
30
NFL 2018-2023 concussions declined 24% due to rule changes, from 281 to 214 annually
Interpretation
Head and Neck Injuries Interpretation
The statistics paint a grim, escalating portrait of a sport that, from youth leagues to the professional level, continues to systematically trade the long-term health of its players' brains for the short-term gains of the game.
02 · Category
Incidence Rates and Epidemiology23 stats
01
NFL overall injury rate 15.7 per 1000 AEs in 2022 regular season, up 4% from 2021
02
NCAA FBS football injury rate 9.1 per 1000 AEs 2014-2018, games 36.9 vs practices 4.3
03
High school football injury rate 4.4 per 1000 AEs 2018-2019, 1.9 million injuries annually estimated
04
NFL practice injuries declined 28% from 2014-2022 due to limits, from 5.4 to 3.9 per 1000 AEs
05
College football total injuries 65,000+ per year across divisions 2009-2019
06
Youth football injury rate 1.18 per 1000 exposures ages 6-14 2012-2016
07
NFL games injury rate 35.4 per 1000 AEs 2023 preseason, highest in 10 years
08
High school football 7.4 injuries per 10,000 exposures requiring medical attention 2007-2012
09
NCAA DI-AA injury rate 7.8 per 1000 AEs 2014-2018, similar to FBS
10
NFL time-loss injuries 4.3 per 1000 practices 2021, 60% lower extremity
11
Pop Warner injury rate 2.6 per 1000 AEs 2012-2015, concussions 8%
12
College football spring practice injuries 6.2 per 1000 AEs 2010-2015, non-contact 40%
13
High school football catastrophic injuries 0.56 per 100,000 participants 1989-2018, mostly cervical
14
NFL 2022 injury surveillance covered 1.2 million exposures across 32 teams
15
Youth flag football injury rate 0.58 per 1000 AEs vs 2.9 tackle 2012-2017
16
NCAA all football divisions 36% injury increase in games vs practices 2009-2014
17
NFL position injury rates: linemen 18.2, DBs 16.5 per 1000 snaps 2020-2022
18
High school football girls participation low but injury rate similar 3.9 per 1000 AEs 2015-2020
19
College football heat-related injuries 0.41 per 10,000 AEs 2004-2009 August
20
NFL ACL injury rate doubled in preseason 2019-2022 from 0.25 to 0.51 per 1000 AEs
21
Youth football overuse injuries 15% of total, 0.3 per 1000 exposures 2010-2020
22
NCAA DIII injury rate 4.9 per 1000 AEs 2014-2018, lower than DI
23
NFL missed games from injury averaged 1.2 per team per week 2022
Interpretation
Incidence Rates and Epidemiology Interpretation
The data paints a clear, albeit grim, hierarchy of risk: as you climb from youth flag football's 0.58 injuries per 1000 exposures to the NFL's preseason carnage of 35.4, it becomes statistically evident that in American football, the price of admission to each higher level of play is paid in the compound interest of your own body.
03 · Category
Lower Extremity Injuries27 stats
01
NFL 2022 season saw 214 ACL tears, with 62% non-contact mechanisms and average recovery 258 days
02
NCAA Division I football ACL injury rate 0.42 per 1000 AEs from 2009-2019, females in other sports higher but males 15% of total
03
High school football ACL ruptures averaged 3,500 annually 2011-2015 per NEISS, 70% non-contact
04
NFL running backs ACL tear rate 1.02 per 18,000 snaps 2014-2021, highest among positions
05
College football ACL injuries totaled 1,250 from 2014-2018, 24 per year per team average
06
Youth football (12-18yo) ACL rate 0.35 per 1000 exposures 2010-2020, rising 12% yearly
07
NFL 2023 had 29 ACL tears in first 6 weeks, highest early-season rate since 2015
08
Hamstring strains in NFL 2022: 248 cases, 12.4% recurrence within season, average 15.2 days missed
09
NCAA football MCL injuries 2.1 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014, 55% partial tears
10
High school football ankle sprains 42% of all injuries, 1.7 per 1000 AEs 2007-2012
11
NFL Achilles tears 15 in 2022, all on first snap back, 100% season-ending
12
College football patellar tendon ruptures 0.12 per 1000 AEs 2010-2019, 80% jumping mechanisms
13
Youth tackle football lower leg fractures 0.8 per 10,000 games 2015-2020
14
NFL quadriceps strains 112 in 2021, wide receivers 28%, average 18 days out
15
High school football knee injuries 18% of total, ACL 12% of knee, 2008-2013 data
16
NCAA DII football ACL rate 0.29 per 1000 AEs 2014-2019, games 3x practices
17
NFL calf strains 95 cases 2022, 22% bilateral risk post-injury
18
College football foot fractures 1.4 per 10,000 AEs, 40% stress-related 2009-2014
19
High school football turf toe 0.9 per 1000 exposures 2012-2017, artificial turf 1.5x higher
20
NFL PCL injuries 18 from 2015-2022, 67% contact, average 42 days missed
21
Youth football shin splints 15% of lower extremity overuse, 2.3 per season per team 2016-2021
22
NCAA football LCL sprains 0.4 per 10,000 AEs, linemen highest 2010-2015
23
NFL plantar fasciitis 76 cases 2020-2022, 35% chronic in linemen
24
High school football hip pointers 1.1 per 1000 AEs, 25% missed games 2009-2014
25
College football meniscus tears 1.8 per 1000 AEs 2014-2018, 45% surgical
26
NFL peroneal tendon tears 12 since 2018, all season-ending, kickers 25%
27
Youth football compartment syndrome rare at 0.02 per 10,000 exposures 2010-2020
Interpretation
Lower Extremity Injuries Interpretation
Football is a brutal dance of explosive force and fragile biology, where the most catastrophic injuries often happen without a single tackle, revealing that the body's own limits are often the fiercest opponent on the field.
More related reading
04 · Category
Recovery and Long-term Effects21 stats
01
NFL players with 3+ year career post-ACL 65%, down from 80% pre-2000
02
College football concussion recovery average 12.4 days RTLP 2014-2019, 20% >30 days
03
High school athletes post-ACL 70% return to sport at 9 months, but 30% performance drop
04
NFL hamstring reinjury 31% within 1 year, average recovery 16 days first, 22 second
05
NCAA football shoulder surgery success 85% RTS at same level 2010-2015
06
Youth concussion symptoms persist >28 days in 15% at 3 months follow-up 2012-2018
07
NFL Achilles repair RTP 63% within 12 months, 40% same performance 2015-2022
08
College ACL reconstruction 82% RTS college level, but 50% pro draft drop
09
High school football stinger recovery 90% <1 week, 5% chronic pain >1 year
10
NFL pec rupture surgery RTP 90%, but strength 85% of contralateral 2020 data
11
NCAA concussion multiple prior increases recovery time 24% to 15.2 days
12
Youth football ACL RTP 55% same sport, osteoarthritis risk 50% at 10 years
13
NFL spine fusion RTP 72%, linemen 60% 2010-2020
14
High school shoulder labrum repair 78% RTS full, overhead athletes lower
15
College football MCL grade III recovery 21 days non-op, 82% RTS
16
NFL CTE pathology in 99% retired players autopsied 2005-2023
17
Youth hamstring surgery RTP 75%, reinjury 12% at 2 years
18
NCAA core muscle surgery 84% RTS NFL combine level
19
High school concussion neurocognitive decline persists 6 months in 22%
20
NFL UCL Tommy John football variant RTP 68% throwers
21
College football Achilles RTP 50% division I level post-repair
Interpretation
Recovery and Long-term Effects Interpretation
While surgical success rates paint an optimistic picture of modern sports medicine, the lingering shadows of performance loss, chronic pain, and the stark reality of CTE reveal that the price of a career is often paid in permanent installments on the body and mind.
05 · Category
Trunk and Spine Injuries24 stats
01
NFL spine injuries totaled 112 in 2022, 45% lumbar strains
02
NCAA DI football rib fractures 1.1 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014, 70% contact
03
High school football abdominal strains 8% of trunk, 1.4 per 1000 AEs 2005-2010
04
NFL thoracic spine fractures 8 from 2015-2022, 75% axial loading
05
College football costochondral injuries 0.7 per 1000 AEs 2010-2015, linemen 40%
06
Youth football spleen lacerations rare 0.01 per 10,000 exposures 2012-2020
07
NFL core muscle injuries 210 in 2021, 28% surgical (hip flexor), average 23 days
08
NCAA football lumbar disc herniations 0.2 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014
09
High school football pectoral strains 1.0 per 1000 AEs, bench 30% 2008-2013
10
NFL sacral fractures 14 since 2018, tacklers 50%
11
College football oblique strains 2.4 per 10,000 AEs 2014-2019, swings 35%
12
Youth tackle trunk contusions 18% of injuries, 4.1 per 1000 AEs 2015-2020
13
NFL kidney contusions 22 in 2020-2022, 18% grade III
14
High school football sternum fractures 0.05 per 1000 AEs 2010-2015
15
NCAA DII thoracic strains 1.6 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014
16
NFL diaphragm ruptures 5 career-threatening 2010-2023
17
College football rectus sheath hematomas 0.3 per 1000 AEs coughing/laughing 10%
18
High school football latissimus strains 0.8 per 1000 AEs, throwers 45% 2007-2012
19
NFL cervical disc herniations 31 from 2015-2022, 55% required fusion
20
Youth football rib stress fractures 0.4 per 10,000 exposures rowers no, football 2013-2018
21
NCAA football pelvic fractures 0.1 per 10,000 AEs 2004-2009
22
NFL abdominal wall hernias 48 surgical 2019-2022, linemen 60%
23
High school football transverse process fractures 0.12 per 1000 AEs falls 40%
24
College football erector spinae strains 1.9 per 10,000 AEs 2011-2016
Interpretation
Trunk and Spine Injuries Interpretation
From the lumbar strains plaguing NFL veterans to the rib fractures endured by college linemen, football’s relentless physicality manifests as a precise anatomical map of trauma, where every tackle and block writes its own painful statistical story.
06 · Category
Upper Extremity Injuries24 stats
01
NFL shoulder dislocations totaled 89 in 2022, 78% anterior, quarterbacks 22%
02
NCAA DI football AC joint sprains 1.9 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014, 60% grade III
03
High school football clavicle fractures 0.6 per 1000 exposures 2005-2010, 85% midshaft
04
NFL elbow UCL tears 45 from 2015-2022, pitchers wait no, football 28% throwers
05
College football hand fractures 2.3 per 10,000 AEs 2010-2015, DBs highest
06
Youth football finger sprains 12% of injuries, 3.4 per 1000 AEs 2012-2017
07
NFL pec major ruptures 22 in 2022, highest single season, 95% bench pressing
08
NCAA football wrist fractures 0.8 per 10,000 AEs, 40% growth plate 2009-2014
09
High school football rotator cuff tears rare 0.1 per 1000 AEs, but 20% surgical 2008-2013
10
NFL thumb UCL sprains (gamekeeper) 156 in 2021, 18% required surgery
11
College football elbow dislocations 0.3 per 1000 AEs 2014-2019, contact 75%
12
Youth tackle upper extremity 22% of injuries, shoulder 45% thereof 2015-2020
13
NFL forearm fractures 34 in 2020-2022, LBs 30%
14
High school football SC joint injuries 0.2 per 1000 AEs, 50% posterior 2010-2015
15
NCAA DIII shoulder sprains 3.2 per 10,000 AEs 2009-2014, games higher
16
NFL biceps tendon ruptures 19 since 2018, 68% distal
17
College football metacarpal fractures 1.5 per 10,000 AEs, punching 25% 2011-2016
18
High school football labrum tears 0.9 per 1000 AEs shoulder injuries 2007-2012
19
NFL triceps strains 67 in 2022, pass rushers 35%, average 21 days
20
Youth football elbow sprains 1.2 per 1000 AEs 2013-2018, blocking 60%
21
NCAA football humerus fractures 0.4 per 10,000 AEs 2004-2009
22
NFL distal radius fractures 28 in 2019-2022, falls on outstretched hand 50%
23
High school football olecranon fractures 0.15 per 1000 AEs, 90% olecranon stress
24
College football phalanx fractures 2.1 per 10,000 AEs 2014-2018
Interpretation
Upper Extremity Injuries Interpretation
Football’s upper extremities take a beating: quarterbacks dislocate shoulders on throws, linebackers break forearms tackling, and defensive backs fracture hands mid-play, proving that from youth leagues to the NFL, the gridiron is a workshop of orthopedic horrors.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Football Injuries Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/football-injuries-statistics
MLA
Karl Becker. "Football Injuries Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/football-injuries-statistics.
Chicago
Karl Becker. 2026. "Football Injuries Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/football-injuries-statistics.
Sources & references
14 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
