Injuries are inevitable in a sport that’s as physically taxing as football. For teams and fans alike, however, knowing so never makes it any easier when our favorite players go down with season-ending injuries. Every year it seems like a handful of star players fall casualty to torn ACLs and broken collarbones, leaving behind uncertainty about both their own personal well-being and the future of the team. But, much like injuries, comebacks, too, are inevitable—at least some of the time.
Time and time again NFL athletes have gone down with severe injuries, rehabbed their tails off, and have returned to the gridiron, oftentimes faster and stronger than before. As the new season approaches, we hope for more of the same perseverance from the key players who missed all—or a significant portion—of 2015. Here are 11 Injured NFL Players We’re Excited to See Back on the Field This Season.