Ex-NFL Star Troy Aikman Shares Theory on Early Season Injuries

Aikman believes NFL rules aimed at player safety may actually be causing more injuries.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 5:34pm

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Pro Football Hall of Famer Troy Aikman offered his theory on why there have been a high number of early-season injuries in the NFL in recent years. Aikman suggested that the league's rules to help players avoid injuries, such as limiting practice time and contact, may actually be the cause of the problem. He believes players are not able to properly train and "callous their bodies" the way they used to, leading to more soft tissue injuries and muscle pulls at the start of the season.

Why it matters

Player safety has been a major focus for the NFL in recent years, with rule changes and concussion protocols aimed at protecting players. However, Aikman's theory suggests that these measures may be having unintended consequences and contributing to the rise in early-season injuries, which can significantly impact teams and players throughout the season.

The details

Aikman fondly recalled the two-a-day practices the Dallas Cowboys used to hold during training camp in Wichita Falls, Texas. He suggested that while players today may not be as "taxed" as they were in the 1980s and 1990s, they may not be as prepared for the physical toll the start of the season takes on their bodies. Aikman believes the current practice rules, negotiated as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, have led to players spending less time on the field and not being able to properly condition themselves.

  • The NFL has seen a rise in early-season injuries in recent years.

The players

Troy Aikman

A Pro Football Hall of Famer and former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys.

Joe Burrow

The quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.

J.J. McCarthy

The quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.

Brock Purdy

The quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

Lamar Jackson

The quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens.

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What they’re saying

“I think they only wear pads one day a week or one time a day, and they have a walk-through, and then after, I don't know how it all reads, but it's pretty player friendly and favorable.”

— Troy Aikman, Pro Football Hall of Famer

“A lot of it, whenever they negotiate the CBA, the owners tend to always win on the financial side of things. And then the players say, 'Well, all right, then we're not gonna practice as long, or we're not gonna practice as often.' So, then they tend to get concessions when it comes to how much time they're actually at facilities.”

— Troy Aikman, Pro Football Hall of Famer

“I think the only ones who don't have a voice in those negotiations are the coaches. They kind of have to wait till the dust settles and say, 'All right, just how often do we get them?' But some of it is that we see too is a lot of the reasons I think that we see so many injuries, especially early in the year. A lot of soft tissue injuries, a lot of muscle pulls, and things of that nature is the players, they're just not able to train the way that we once did, they're not able to callous their bodies as easily.”

— Troy Aikman, Pro Football Hall of Famer

What’s next

The NFL is reportedly considering expanding the regular season schedule to 18 games, which could further impact player safety and the risk of early-season injuries.

The takeaway

Aikman's theory highlights the unintended consequences of the NFL's focus on player safety, suggesting that the league's rules and practice restrictions may be contributing to the rise in early-season injuries. This raises questions about how to balance player safety with the physical demands of the sport, and whether the current approach is truly effective in protecting players.