Chicago Bears: Leading the NFL with the most injuries
The Chicago Bears have been plagued by injuries the past few years. In fact, some might say it has been the primary factor holding the team back.
According to Football Outsiders, the Chicago Bears have been more affected by injuries than anyone could possibly realize. Their Adjusted Games Lost (AGL) formula shows the Bears have been ravaged by injuries, and didn’t really have any other team with similar problems.
A few of the 2016 AGL key points are damning.
- League leading AGL with 155.1
- Over 27 more AGL than the next most injured team
- Highest AGL for any team since the year 2000
- More players with at least six AGL (12) than any other team
- Four more players with at least six AGL than the next closest team
The 2016 Chicago Bears didn’t stand a chance.
What’s more, it’s not just a 2016 problem. The Chicago Bears had the fifth most injuries in 2015! Over the past two years, the Bears were the most injured team. So, why in the world is the team injured so much?
Soldier Field
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Ryan Pace is not chalking it up to simple bad luck. Granted, Kevin White’s predicament may be nothing but bad luck, but there has to be more to it. Some have pointed to the playing surface at Soldier Field. Injuries used to come via turf, but the changes to sod have not helped. Various players have complained about it being a complete mess. Robbie Gould criticized it on the radio the same year it was ranked the third worst playing surface in the NFL.
Strength and Conditioning
Conversely, some point to the strength and conditioning program in Chicago. Maybe it’s time to do what the Bears did the last time they had a ton of injuries? Anyone at Halas Hall have the phone number for Rusty Jones? Jones arrived in Chicago after the Bears had a bunch of hamstring injuries. As a result, the Bears went from one of the most injured teams in the league to one of the healthiest. Perhaps Jones can use his revolutionary, formulaic mix of diet, exercise, stretching, rest, and hydration to reverse the jinx that currently ails the team.
Next: Will the 2017 Bears stay healthy?
No matter what happens, the Chicago Bears will need health to even have a chance. At some point, however, they will have some luck and turn it around. With training camp approaching, and lingering issues risking the return of Kyle Long, Josh Sitton, Danny Trevathan, and Zach Miller, we can only hope lady luck visits Chicago soon.