The NFL saw many of its top stars go down to injury last year, setting up what should be an intriguing race for the 2016 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Top quarterbacks, a big-play receiver, explosive running backs and some dynamic defenders are returning to action after being robbed of game time in 2015.
Barring further injuries, these guys have the best shot to come back strong and win the award.
Tony Romo, quarterback, Dallas Cowboys
When healthy, Romo is among the better quarterbacks in the NFL. Though he has taken a lot of flak throughout his career for failing to win playoff games, his regular-season work has been better than solid throughout his career.
Working in his favor this year will be the insertion of rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott. The Cowboys plan on running the ball plenty this year to help keep Romo healthy, which should also open up passing lanes for big plays down the field to Dallas’ playmakers.
It would be easy to put Dez Bryant on this list as well, given that both he and Romo spent long periods of time on the sidelines last year with injuries. But if one of these guys is going to win the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award in 2016, my money’s on the quarterback.
Antoine Bethea, safety, San Francisco 49ers
It wasn’t long ago that Bethea was dominating the back end for the 49ers. A solid safety throughout his career with the Indianapolis Colts before coming to San Francisco in 2014 via free agency, he absolutely stunned folks with his all-around mastery in 2014.
Unfortunately, his 2015 season was cut short by nine games. Bethea suffered a shoulder injury and was placed on the IR in what was just one of many disastrous happenings for the 49ers last year.
Now, it remains to be seen if the 49ers have any shot at featuring a defense that can stop anybody in 2016. Chip Kelly-coached teams have been horrible during his first two seasons in the NFL, but the 49ers do have some intriguing pieces up front that could wreak havoc and create turnovers for their mates in the secondary.
Should this occur, then Bethea, who always seems to be around the ball, could have a very nice season statistically.
Andrew Luck, quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
Luck sure has a lot to live up to after being signed to a new six-year deal that pays him $140 million. He’s now the richest man in NFL history, even though he’s coming off a terrible season in which he missed nine games due to injuries and admittedly was not sharp when he was healthy.
But take away his 2015 season and Luck has done nothing but get better every season, both from a statistical standpoint and from the standpoint of making his team better.
After throwing 23 touchdown in each of his first two seasons, the Stanford product ratcheted up his game to the tune of 40 touchdown passes in 2014. Furthermore, in each of his first three seasons, Luck advanced the Colts further and further into the playoffs, making it to the AFC Championship Game in 2014.
Provided he takes his sliding lessons to heart and doesn’t get injured again, there is no reason to think Luck won’t continue ascending.
Cam Wake, defensive end, Miami Dolphins
The first of two aging pass rushers coming off an Achilles injury on this list, Wake has already impressed his new coaches this offseason.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said Wake “looked great” at OTAs, via Hal Habib of the Palm Beach Post. He added, “He looks explosive. Obviously, it’s still early on. He has not gone full, full speed, but he looked great.”
It’s safe to say this is a guy who has aged like a fine wine. Provided he doesn’t have any setbacks during training camp, he should have another very productive season for the Dolphins.
Jordy Nelson, wide receiver, Green Bay Packers
Lost for the season in a “meaningless game,” as described by his quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, Nelson should return to form in 2016.
He’s already said he could play now if he needed to after tearing his ACL during the 2015 preseason. Though, we’re pretty sure the Packers will keep him out of much action this time around until the games actually count.
Nelson is Rodgers’ go-to receiver. He’s sure-handed, makes difficult catches look easy and is clutch on third downs.
During the 2013-14 campaigns, Nelson caught 183 passes for 2,833 yards and 21 touchdowns. Given Rodgers’ abilities as a passer and the rapport he shares with Nelson, we should expect similar numbers in 2016.
Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
Haden was recently considered one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL by most analysts, and rightfully so. Before losing much of the 2015 season with a concussion, he was a true shutdown cornerback who was relentless about stopping the opposing team’s best receiver.
While he is also recovering from offseason ankle surgery in addition to last year’s concussion issues, Haden’s recovery is going well.
#Browns CB Joe Haden said progress is going good, got rid of walking boot yesterday, it's going really well.
— Nate Ulrich (@ByNateUlrich) May 18, 2016
Still just 27 years old, Haden is now entering what should be the prime of his career. He’s a player to keep an eye on as the season kicks into gear. If he shows up well during the first quarter, he’ll certainly be in the mix for the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award.
Le’Veon Bell, running back, Pittsburgh Steelers
When healthy, it could be argued that Bell is the best all-around running back in the NFL.
An adept receiver, he totaled 2,215 yards rushing and receiving in 2014, adding 11 total touchdowns. He was on pace for similar success last season before tearing two ligaments in his knee (MCL, PCL), with 692 total yards and three touchdowns in his first six games.
Fueling his fire this season will be the fact that Bell is entering a contract year. Set to earn less than $1 million as a base salary this year, he’s easily one of the most underpaid players in the NFL. He’ll be out to prove he is worth big money this year, and we expect big things from him as he works towards that goal.
Terrell Suggs, outside linebacker, Baltimore Ravens
Like Wake, Suggs is an aging pass rusher coming off an Achilles injury. It’s his second career Achilles injury, so it would be easy to think he won’t be the same guy when he comes back.
That would be a mistake. He came back with a vengeance after his first such injury in 2012 with two huge seasons in 2013-14 in which he combined for 22 sacks.
And the good news for Suggs, the Ravens and their fans is that he has “a real chance” to play in Week 1, per head coach John Harbaugh.
Harbaugh said that Suggs has real chance to be ready for season. Suggs, Smith and Dumervil all unlikely to play much if at all in preseason
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) June 16, 2016
At the age of 33, it’s likely Suggs has plenty left in the tank. He joins a roster full of veterans itching to make it back to relevance after the injury bug ravaged the franchise last year.
Jamaal Charles, running back, Kansas City Chiefs
One of the most productive offensive playmakers in the NFL, Charles is recovering from an ACL injury and could miss the start of training camp as he recovers.
If he can return to form, then Charles should be among the league leaders in rushing in 2016, and he adds value as a receiver.
Throughout his career, Charles has averaged at least five yards per carry every single season, which shows just how explosive he is in traffic. At any given moment, he is a threat to take it to the house for six points.
One wonders, though, just how much more abuse Charles can take. Entering his ninth NFL season and closing in on his 30th birthday in December, he could be hitting the wall we see from so many of the game’s great running backs. If he can avoid it this year, however, then Charles has a terrific chance to make a huge comeback with the Chiefs as a featured back once again.
DeMarco Murray, running back, Tennessee Titans
Second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota hinted at the Titans’ offensive strategy this upcoming season when he said he’d be happy to hand the ball off 40 times a game to win.
The Titans did some work to upgrade the offensive line this offseason in addition to trading for Murray and drafting rookie Derrick Henry in the second round. Clearly, this is an offense that is going to focus on the run.
Now, it remains to be seen if Murray still has what it takes to return to the form that saw him rush for 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2014. His performance last season in Philadelphia was absolutely dismal, but he was also being featured in a zone-blocking scheme, which is not his forte.
Though it’s likely Henry will also see work as Murray’s backup, the veteran could have a huge bounce-back season in Tennessee’s power scheme.