NFL 2018: 5 injured players in 2017 that could be impactful in 2018

2017 has been a year that has seen a lot of star players getting injured. As a result, many teams have missed playoffs because of injuries. Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans are the two teams that have been impacted a lot due to injuries. Packers lost one of the greatest quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers, while the Texans have lost a slew of players to injuries including the three-time Defensive player of the year JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus, TE Federowicz and the young star quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Ravens have also lost quite a few players even before the season started. Luckily, they got back their quarterback Joe Flacco by week 1. Patriots have also lost Julian Edelman during pre-season but they have quickly replaced him by trading for Brandin Cooks. Vikings lost Sam Bradford after an amazing start to the season in week 1 but Case Keenum has stepped up brilliantly in his absence. Eagles also lost their young quarterback Carson Wentz but to everyone's surprise, Nick Foles has stepped up and helped them win the Superbowl.

But, not all teams are as fortunate as Eagles, Patriots, and Vikings. Teams like Texans, Packers, and Cardinals who lost their star running back David Johnson have missed Playoffs because of injuries. Let's take a look at the injured players who can be impactful in 2018.

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#5 JJ Watt

The three-time defensive player of the year is arguably one of the most dominant individual players in the National Football League. The kind of impact he creates on and off the field is very well documented. He is a shoo-in as a first ballot Hall of Famer when his time comes. But, the last two years have been riddled with injuries.

JJ Watt is known for his toughness and willingness to play through pain. his last DPOY came in 2015 during which the Texans defensive end had played through a lot of significant injuries. During the backend of the season he even played with a club wrapped around his left hand, such is his dedication. But the injuries have caught up to him in last two season. he played eight games in last two seasons due to injuries to his back and his leg.

Will JJ Watt comeback to his dominant self is remained to be seen. Before getting injured last year, he could not able to record a sack in 5 games. But, he was still able to bring in pressure on the quarterback and disrupting the plays. With Whitney Mercilus also coming back from an injury of his own which he suffered on the same game as Watt, and Jadeveon Clowney in his contract year and an amazing 2017, Watt should be in less pressure to perform right away.

The Texans fans have been long waiting to see both JJ Watt and Jadeveon Clowney on the field for a full season together for the past four seasons. 2018 could be that season. With Mercilus back and Texans adding Tyrann Mathieu to bolster the secondary the Texans defense should be back to its scary 2016 form and help the offense (more on that later) and guide the team back to the Playoffs.

#4 Odell Beckham Jr.

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After a dream starts to his career in NFL with New York Giants, Odel Beckham Jr had a ghastly break. He suffered a gruesome ankle injury during Giants week 5 matchup against Los Angeles Chargers. Giants are one of the teams whose season was derailed due to injuries especially at the Wide receiver position and OBJ's injury was a significant one, which led the team to have one of the franchise's worst seasons ending up with a number 2 overall pick in 2018 draft.

2017 was supposed to be the year for OBJ to finally sign the most lucrative Non-Quarterback deal ever and then the injury happened. Giants will now be in limbo to sign OBJ to a long-term deal until they can see he is back to his old self. After suffering an injury as he did last season it is going to be very difficult to come back from it. If there is anyone who can come back it is OBJ.

Beckham's rehab is on right track and expected to start week 1 and may even participate in mini-camp. Beckham who still expects to sign a lucrative long-term deal while the market for wide receivers is better than ever. With players like Sammy Watkins and Danny Amendola getting some surprisingly lucrative deals this offseason OBJ would be still expecting the lucrative deal he was looking for before the start of the season. Giants probably do not want to commit until they can see what he can do on the field.

A Showtime drama between Giants and OBJ could very well be a possibility before the start of the season, but it is highly unlikely that a contract could be reached. If Beckham continues his rehab and comes back to start week 1 Eli Manning would be one of the happiest QBs in the league as he would get his best pass catcher in the league without much of the drama that this giants team and its fan base could use.

#3 David Johnson

David Johnson has been one of the league's top runners in past 4 years. Last year he was primed to have another best season but the injury bug bit him early in week 1. Johnson who missed almost the entire season due to wrist injury is back with the team during OTAs.

Cardinals season derailed due to injuries to their key players starting with David Johnson and now retired quarterback Carson Palmer. Johnson was one of the key players in the now former Head Coach Bruce Arians' offensive scheme, who retired after the 2017 season.

With a new Head coach in Steve Wilks and new quarterback Sam Bradford taking the realms, the return of their star running back will be a sigh of relief for them. Wilks, a defensive-minded coach would love to have a running back who can do it all by rushing and catching the balls. Also, a quarterback who has a troubled injury history like Sam Bradford or even a rookie like Josh Rosen could use the expertise of David Johnson to help relieve the pressure on them.

The one player in the Cardinals who probably is happier than any about David Johnson's return should be the future Hall of Fame receiver Larry Fitzerald. The veteran receiver who is in the backend of his career would like to have an effective run game to help the quarterback to run more Run-Pass Options helping him get the ball more.

Johnson who enters the final year of his contract could seek a contract extension before the start of the season. But Cardinals would be wary in extending before seeing him back on the field. There could be an under-the-radar contract dispute between the player and the team on the course to the regular season.

#2 Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers have witnessed first hand in 2017 the contrast in life With and Without one of the Greatest Player so all time Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers Packers raced off to a 4-1 start on top of NFC North and then in Week 6 matchup against the division rivals Minnesota Vikings Rodgers suffered a broken collarbone due to the hit by Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr. Since his injury, Packers were able to win only 3 of their next 11 games with the first-time starter Brett Hundley under the center.

Without Rodgers there has been a steep decline in the play from the Packers' skill position players as well, most notably now former Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, Rodgers favorite target. The Rodgers-Nelson connection is one of the best QB-WR combinations in NFL. But without Rodgers Nelson has almost become an afterthought in the Packers offense and hence became a cap casualty in 2018 offseason and eventually signing up with the Oakland Raiders.

Even after a disappointing 2017 season, Packers have not made the moves to bolster the depth in offense. Excepting for adding the former Seahawks and Saints TE Jimmy Graham, Packers haven't made any noteworthy moves that could help the team come back to relevance in a competitive NFC North, The running back situation seems to be similar to 2017 without a lead back and even though they added depth in quarterback room by trading for Deshone Kizer from Browns, neither Kiser or Hundley could be a considered a threat if something were to happen to Rodgers.

But, Rodgers still has Devante Adams who is now the leader of the Wide Receiver room and the addition of TE Jimmy Graham should be more than enough for Rodgers to get the Packers back into the Playoff race. If Packers do make Playoffs in 2018, it will be behind an MVP-caliber performance from Aaron Rodgers.

#1 Deshaun Watson

If Packers had a bad life without Aaron Rodgers in 2017, Texans had it worst without Watson. With Watson Texans went 3-3 and almost beat the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahwaks in their home grounds. He was on his way to become the Rookie of the Year with a record 19 TDs in just 7 games played. But, then he got injured in a non-contact practice session after a near victory against Seahwaks. Since then Texans have won only one game in the remainder of the season. That's how siginificant Watson's loss was to the Texans

With already injury depleted roster Watson's injury has all but ended the Texans' 2017 Playoff hopes just through the mid-way of the 2017 season. Deandre Hopkins had a revival of sorts in 2017 after a poor 2016 season thanks to the atrocious quarterback play. Hopkins broke out for nearly 1400 yards and league lead tying 13 TDs. With Watson available for a full 16 game slate Hopkins could be eyeing a recode-setting year in 2018. The sophomore WR Will Fuller also had an amazing stretch when Watson was under center with 7 TDs in just three games they were on the field toegther.

With Watson's rehab from ACL going as per schedule, he partcipated in some 7 on 7 drills in OTAs and expecte dto be back in full by training camp. With an improved offensive line compared to 207, the running game should also be improved and Deshaun Watson coming back under center and with Hopkins and Fuller catching balls from Watson Texans offense shoule be one of the most interesting offenses to watch in 2018.

With a very favorable schedule and with JJ Watt, Whitney Mercilus and Watson coming back from Injuries and additions of Tyrann Mathieu to the secondary this Texans could push the 2017 AFC South Champions Jacksonville Jaguars for the title.