Every season, the NFL hands out the Comeback Player of the Year Award to a player who missed an extended period of time the prior season. Most of the time the player missed an abundance of games due to injury.
In 2018, we witnessed Andrew Luck come back from a serious shoulder injury that held him out of the entire 2017 season. Looking out how Luck was slowly coming along with his rehab during the offseason, no one expected him to put up huge numbers.
Despite missing an entire year, Luck immediately returned to his pre-injury form. The Indianapolis Colts quarterback threw 39 touchdowns to go along with 4,593 yards. Both were the second-most in each category in his seven-year career.
Luck didn't just stop there though. The talented quarterback also led the Colts to the postseason where they made it as far as the AFC Divisional Round before being bounced by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, in 2019, there are plenty of players who are itching to get back on the field after missing some time last season. Here are three candidates for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2019.
3. Travis Frederick, C, Dallas Cowboys
Right off the bat, we'll start with a player who may have a tough chance taking home the award. There has never been an offensive lineman to win the award but Travis Frederick of the Dallas Cowboys certainly fits the bill.
The All-Pro center missed the entire 2018 season due to a rare disease called Guillain-Barre syndrome. The disease causes weakness in the muscles and took its toll on the Pro Bowl center.
Now, Frederick is gearing up to play again in 2019 after seemingly overcoming the rare disease. As a result, we could see a more motivated and dominant version of Frederick.
In the years prior to 2018, Frederick was regarded as arguably the best center in football. The Cowboys absolutely missed Frederick—who is the quarterback of the offensive line, allowing 56 sacks last season (second-most in NFL).
2. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Before undergoing surgery for a sports hernia last season, Devonta Freeman was ascending as a running back for the Atlanta Falcons. The sports hernia and a foot bruise caused the running back to miss 14 games in 2018.
The Falcons boasted one of the best backfields in the NFL with Freeman being complimented by Tevin Coleman. Now, Coleman is with the San Francisco 49ers, leaving the majority of the workload for Freeman.
Although, second-year back Ito Smith could see some touches as well after showing flashes of potential in 2018. From 2015-2017, Freeman averaged 229 attempts, 1,000 rushing yards, nearly 10 touchdowns, and 54 receptions per season.
In an offense filled with talent and Matt Ryan under center, Freeman could be in for an impressive 2019 campaign. An outstanding season from the Falcons starting running back could have him accepting the Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2019.
1. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers
The expectations for the San Francisco 49ers were high coming into the 2018 season. That was before the 49ers hopeful franchise quarterback in Jimmy Garoppolo tore his ACL in a Week 3 contest against the Chiefs.
After that, the season continued to roll downhill as the team went 4-12 during the regular season. Now, the expectations seem to be set pretty high for Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers once again in 2019.
Of course, this relies on Garoppolo being ready to play in Week 1 of the 2019 season. Why do the 49ers have lofty expectations for their roster? The 49ers quarterback has shown signs of being a talented quarterback in the small sample size of games he's played in.
After all, San Francisco showed their commitment to the signal caller after handing him a five-year, $137.5 deal before the 2018 season. Before signing the contract, Garoppolo helped lead San Francisco to five straight wins to end the 2017 season.
The 2019 season can finally be one where Garoppolo proves his worth and Shanahan can fully display his ability to call an offense as the head coach. The Comeback Player of the Year Award could very well reside in San Francisco if Garoppolo manages to play the entire 2019 season.
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