NEW YORK (AP) — Big names with huge impacts — by not playing.
The NFL could put together a talent-packed all-star team of players who missed most or all of this season because of significant injuries or coronavirus opt-outs.
From Dak Prescott to Christian McCaffrey to Saquon Barkley to Odell Beckham Jr., this All-Absent Team has enough star power and playmakers that it might beat some actual NFL squads — the Jets and Jaguars? — right now.
Bad shoulders, knees and all.
Here's a position-by-position look at this year's star-studded squad, which includes players who have participated in half of their team's games or less this season — while also likely ruining some fantasy owners' fortunes in the process:
QUARTERBACK
— Dak Prescott, Cowboys. He was off to a fast start, becoming the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 450 yards in three straight games. But he suffered
— Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers. A year ago, Jimmy G was leading San Francisco on a Super Bowl run. Now, there are
RUNNING BACK
— Christian McCaffrey, Panthers. The 2019 All-Pro was a popular No. 1 overall pick among fantasy owners, and for good reason. He was the third player to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season and it earned him a four-year, $64 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. But he was limited to six games, first because of a high ankle sprain, then a shoulder sprain and
— Saquon Barkley, Giants. His season lasted just six quarters as he
— Joe Mixon, Bengals. Cincinnati was excited about teaming the running back with No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow. But both got hurt and ended the season on IR. Mixon played only six games
WIDE RECEIVER
— Odell Beckham Jr., Browns. Cleveland has a chance to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2002, and could do it without one of the league's most dynamic receivers. Beckham played in only seven games before
— Julian Edelman, Patriots. The 2019 Super Bowl MVP had 13 catches for 236 yards in his first two games before slowing considerably with just eight receptions in his next four games. Edelman was
— Courtland Sutton, Broncos. He had a breakout second season last year with 72 receptions for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns. But Sutton missed the season opener with a shoulder injury, returned in Week 2 and had three catches
TIGHT END
— George Kittle, 49ers. He
OFFENSIVE LINE
— Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, guard, Chiefs. The
— Larry Warford, guard, Free Agent. He was one of the most sought-after offensive linemen
—Mike Pouncey, center, Chargers. The four-time Pro Bowl selection missed the entire season
— Tyron Smith, offensive tackle, Cowboys. The two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl pick
— Nate Solder, offensive tackle, Giants. Another O-lineman who
— Taylor Lewan, offensive tackle, Titans. The three-time Pro Bowl selection was lost for the season when he tore an ACL in Week 6.
DEFENSIVE LINE
— Nick Bosa, 49ers. Last season's AP Defensive Rookie of the Year played in only three games
— Jadeveon Clowney, Titans. Where he'd end up was an ongoing storyline throughout the offseason and training camp before he finally signed with Tennessee right before the season. He
— Danielle Hunter, Vikings. One of the league's most consistently productive pass rushers — he had 48 1/2 sacks the last four seasons — missed all of this year after having
— Jurrell Casey, Broncos. His first season in Denver after nine in Tennessee was
— Josh Allen, Jaguars. An impressive rookie season was capped by a Pro Bowl appearance. But his second season ended after just eight games — and only 2 1/2 sacks — because of a knee injury.
LINEBACKER
— Von Miller, Broncos. The three-time All-Pro dealt with COVID-19 in the offseason, then
— C.J. Mosley, Jets. The middle linebacker
— Dont’a Hightower, Patriots. Like Mosley, Hightower was an opt-out for the season, and New England's defense sorely missed him.
— Chandler Jones, Cardinals. After a career-high 19 sacks last season, Jones had just one in five games before suffering a torn biceps.
CORNERBACK
— Richard Sherman, 49ers. The three-time All-Pro missed nine games after injuring his calf in the season opener, and played in four more games before dealing with calf soreness that will keep him out of the final two games.
— Trae Waynes, Bengals. He signed a three-year, $42 million contract with Cincinnati, but tore a pectoral muscle early in training camp and missed the entire season.
SAFETY
— Earl Thomas, Free Agent. The three-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection hasn't played this season after being
— Patrick Chung, Patriots. One of Bill Belichick's most consistent and productive performers on defense was one of New England's NFL-high eight players to opt out for the season because of the pandemic.
— Landon Collins, Washington. The playmaking safety played in seven games before tearing his Achilles.
KICKER
— Josh Lambo, Jaguars. He injured his hip in Week 2 and missed five games before returning in October. Lambo kicked a career-best 59-yard field goal, tying the Jacksonville record, but later re-injured his hip on an onside kick attempt and was lost for the season.
— Adam Vinatieri, Free Agent. Sure, the NFL’s all-time leading scorer with 2,673 points is 48 and had his lowest field-goal percentage of his career (68%) last year with Indianapolis, but it seemed as though he'd kick forever.
PUNTER
— Chris Jones, Cowboys. A core muscle injury that required surgery limited the longtime Dallas punter to just eight games.
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