The NFL playoffs are officially over, and we already know which two teams are heading to this year’s Super Bowl – the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. After a grueling season and a tough playoff run, the starters for both teams will have two weeks to fully recover and prepare for the biggest match-up of the entire year.
As we all know, American football is one of the most physical sports, where injuries occur frequently, and so it’s easy to conclude that these 14 days off will be key for all players, as it will give them an opportunity to heal their bodies, so they can play at 100% when it matters most.
Having said that, not all players are equal, especially when it comes to their contribution on the field, so in the list below, we will take a look at the five players that have to be fully ready to give their team a better chance of winning.
What are the 4 Players That Have to Make a Full Recovery in February?
Currently, none of the major starters have had to sit out an entire game, but there have been some that have had some injury concerns recently and will need to make a full recovery for the Super Bowl.
Isaiah Pacheco – Running Back; Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco was said to be questionable for the game against the Baltimore Ravens due to an ankle issue that had kept him from practicing the week before. However, as a key part of the Chiefs offense, Pacceco managed to play and even score one of the two touchdowns for the team. For the Kansas City offense that has been struggling all season, Pacheco’s presence in the Super Bowl will be key, and so the hope is that he will be able to make a full recovery.
Willie Gay Jr – Line Backer; Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City has had the number two defense in the league all year, and all of its pieces are pivotal for the success of the team. Willie Gay Jr. is one of the key players in the linebacker position, and his full recovery for the Super Bowl will be required, especially considering how good the 49ers’ offense is.
Ronnie Bell – Wide Receiver; San Francisco 49ers
Bell has been a key player for the 49ers’ offense, scoring 3 touchdowns this season and ensuring that quarterback Brock Purdy has other options aside from running the ball. For the Super Bowl, it’s crucial that Bell recovers and is able to play for San Francisco in order to give the team the best shot at winning the game.
Samuel Womack III – Cornerback; San Francisco 49ers
Even though everyone has been underestimating the Chiefs’ offense this season, their game in the playoffs has been more than good. With Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce in form, the 49ers will need all of their defensive weapons ready to go for the Super Bowl, and that includes Womack III, who has been a starter for the team for the last two seasons.
How Do NFL Players Typically Recover?
Unless they need specific treatment for an injury, most NFL players recover by resting and performing light exercises. Typically, the elite professionals have an elliptical at home or a stationary bike so that they can get the blood flowing the day after a grueling game, and they also make sure to have enough calories so that the body can kickstart the healing process. More often than not, the problem with NFL games is the impact that the bodies take – either from contact with the ground or from contact with other players- so the key thing is to get adequate rest and have all the painful areas treated.
Most NFL teams give their starters at least two days after the game completely off so that their bodies can recover from the beating, and afterward, most of the training sessions are all about discussing plays, watching films, and performing light movements that can aid recovery.
Unlike most sports, where players typically suffer from muscle soreness or fatigue, NFL players often have to face bruises, cuts, and sprains because of the contact nature of the game, so they don’t really require massages, just specific treatment to get the body healed as quickly as possible for the next match.
In Conclusion
As we know, the end of January is also the end of the NFL season, and we’re nearing it with only one game left to play – the Super Bowl. As all eyes are on the Chiefs and the 49ers now, we hope their best players recover adequately for the final match-up and give us a final game worthy of the millions of viewers that will watch it.
Main Image: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
