Adversity will strike whether teams are ready or not. Such is life in the NFL. In some cases, the misfortune is too much to overcome. Free agents can be signed, trades can be made. The reality is, though, that truly elite players can’t be fully replaced. Not even on the aggregate (sorry, Billy Beane). Year after year, big names are lost to injuries. It’s devastating to not only fanbases, but football fans on a macro scale. From Nick Chubb and Aaron Rodgers, to Tank Dell and Anthony Richardson, there are multiple prominent NFL players coming back from injury on the offensive side of the ball.

As the NFL injury tracker is updated, and NFL injuries unfortunately occur, let’s take a look at some of the top NFL offensive players looking to make their comeback in 2024.

Which NFL offensive players are coming back from injury?

Some of the players on this list would’ve been in contention for Pro Bowl or All-Pro nods should they have stayed healthy. Others were just starting to make their presence known in their respective situations. In each case, these players have earned the opportunity to step into a sizable role once health permits. These are some of the best offensive NFL players making their return in 2024.

Nick Chubb - Cleveland Browns

At this point, Chubb has solidified himself as the last of a dying breed in the NFL. A true workhorse running back. Despite missing all but two games in 2023 and four in 2020, Chubb has averaged 1,085 rushing yards and just under 13 games per season in his six-year career. When he’s on the field, he’ll be one of the NFL’s premier running backs. It’s just a matter of when he’ll get back on the field. His knee injury was significant and it sounds as though the team will take their time in getting him up to speed.

Kirk Cousins - Atlanta Falcons

A torn Achilles for a 35-year-old quarterback doesn’t sound like the most promising outlook. Still, Kirk Cousins did enough in his 12-year career to earn a four-year, $180 million contract from the Falcons. Cousins is surrounded by a talented crop of young skill players. Kyle Pitts might finally be unlocked with a new scheme, Drake London has performed with less than ideal quarterback play, and Bijan Robinson seems like the NFL’s next great running back. Add Cousins to the equation, along with first-year offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, and Cousins could be a dark horse for Comeback Player of the Year. Beyond that, the Falcons could project favorably in a wide-open NFC South.

Aaron Rodgers - New York Jets

Another torn Achilles for an older quarterback. The difference here, though, is Aaron Rodgers is now 40-years old. It’s worth noting he did try to return from his season-ending injury late last season, which was obviously met with skepticism. How much of a chance Rodgers actually had to return, will likely remain a mystery. Still, he’s expected to return for the New York Jets this season. Everyone around Rodgers should take a step forward. Garrett Wilson has thrived with the Jets lineup of replacement-level quarterbacks, Mike Williams is now in the fold, and Breece Hall seems projected to vault into the ranks of the NFL’s elite running backs. The defense is already there for New York. If Rodgers can command the offense slightly more efficiently than Zach Wilson did, he will likely supplant Mark Sanchez as the last quarterback to lead the Jets to the playoffs.

Anthony Richardson - Indianapolis Colts

Young, dual-threat quarterbacks are taking the NFL by storm. There might not be a more physically-imposing player in that mold than Anthony Richardson. In his first four games, the 6’4”, 244 pound signal-caller threw for 577 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for 136 rushing yards and four touchdowns, making him an early fantasy darling. Under second-year head coach Shane Steichen, the same Shane Steichen who coached Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to a career season in 2022, Richardson will step back into the starting role in 2024. The fit for Richardson seems tailor-made.

Tank Dell - Houston Texans

The third-round pick quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s more dangerous deep threats early as a rookie. In 11 games, Tank Dell snagged 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 15.1 yards per reception, tied with Tyreek Hill for the 20th-best mark in the NFL. If not for a leg injury that cost him his season last December, Dell was on pace to join Puka Nacua as the only rookie receiver with 1,000 receiving yards in 2023. Dell was also wounded in a Florida shooting in April and made a full recovery. With Stefon Diggs now in the fold, C.J. Stroud and the Texans passing attack figure to take a step forward in 2024. Dell should play a prominent role. 

Honorable Mention

Keaton Mitchell - Baltimore Ravens

As a rookie, Keaton Mitchell showed some juice out of the backfield for the Ravens. He appeared in eight games, earning two starts, and caught nine passes for 93 yards. His opportunity was cut short by an ACL tear. When he’s back on the field, he can play a complementary role alongside Derrick Henry.

Best NFL players coming back from injury

While all of these players are valuable to their respective teams, two names on this list will likely end up making the biggest difference in their return to the field. For the Jets, a healthy Aaron Rodgers will be a significant upgrade over the likes of Zach Wilson and Tim Boyle. His presence alone shifts New York’s outlook from a bottom-10 team to a contender in the AFC East. Then there’s Nick Chubb. An argument could be made that no other player in the NFL personifies their team and their city the way Chubb does. He’s a dynamic, three-down back and Cleveland will go as he goes. Joe Flacco magic aside, the Browns are a completely different team with Chubb.

It doesn’t feel right designating one of these two guys as the best player coming back from injury. In this case, Rodgers is 1A and Chubb is 1B.