5 NFL Stars Bounce Back From ACL Tears

Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet faces ACL rehab, but history shows elite players can return stronger than ever.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 2:55pm

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Zach Charbonnet's season with the Seattle Seahawks was cut short when he suffered an ACL tear on January 17th. However, the article highlights 5 inspirational examples of NFL players who have overcome similar ACL injuries to return to the field stronger than ever, including Joe Burrow, Saquon Barkley, Von Miller, Tom Brady, and Cooper Kupp.

Why it matters

ACL tears can be devastating injuries for NFL players, often requiring extensive rehab and recovery time. However, the stories of these 5 players show that with the right approach, elite athletes can bounce back from ACL injuries and regain their top form, providing hope for Charbonnet and other players facing similar setbacks.

The details

The article details how each of the 5 players suffered ACL tears at various points in their careers, requiring surgery and months of rehab to rebuild strength and mobility. Despite the challenges, players like Burrow, Barkley, and Kupp were able to return to the field within a year and recapture their previous levels of performance, with some even going on to achieve new career milestones.

  • Zach Charbonnet suffered his ACL tear on January 17, 2026.
  • Joe Burrow returned to action around 9 months after his 2020 ACL and MCL tear.
  • Saquon Barkley required around a year of rehab after his 2020 ACL tear.
  • Von Miller has torn his ACL twice, in 2013 and 2022, each time requiring around 10 months of rehab.
  • Tom Brady recovered from his ACL and MCL tear in approximately 10 months, returning for the 2009 season.
  • Cooper Kupp missed the 2018 season after tearing his ACL, but returned the following year.

The players

Zach Charbonnet

A running back for the Seattle Seahawks who suffered an ACL tear on January 17, 2026, cutting his season short.

Joe Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who was the No. 1 overall pick in 2020 and tore his ACL and MCL that year, but returned within 9 months to lead the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021.

Saquon Barkley

The running back who described his 2020 ACL tear as the "weakest moment" of his life, but returned in 2021 and was ranked the #1 NFL player in 2025 while playing for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Von Miller

The veteran pass rusher who has torn his ACL twice, in 2013 and 2022, but has continued to be an effective player for the Buffalo Bills despite the injuries.

Tom Brady

The legendary quarterback who suffered an ACL and MCL tear in 2008 but returned the following season to win 3 more MVP awards and 4 more Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

Cooper Kupp

The wide receiver who missed the 2018 season after tearing his ACL, but returned the following year and is now playing for the Seattle Seahawks, hoping to face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

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What they’re saying

“Tearing an ACL is probably the weakest moment of my life. There was a lot of crying, a lot of frustration.”

— Saquon Barkley, Running Back

What’s next

Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is scheduled for February 8, 2026. Zach Charbonnet and Cooper Kupp will be hoping to make triumphant returns to the field for their respective teams.

The takeaway

The stories of these 5 NFL stars show that with the right mindset, medical care, and rehabilitation, even devastating ACL injuries do not have to derail a player's career. Their comebacks provide inspiration for Zach Charbonnet and other athletes facing similar challenges to work hard and believe in their ability to return stronger than ever.