1. LB LaVar Arrington
LaVar Arrington is one of the biggest examples of a great career being ruined from injuries. After a decent rookie year in 2000, Arrington would burst onto the scene his sophomore season. That fall and winter, he tallied 99 tackles, nine pass deflections and three interceptions while making a Pro-Bowl and All-Pro Second Team.
Arrington would continue this success for the next two seasons. During that time, he make two more Pro-Bowls, and received another All-Pro selection. He did this while maintaining his reputation as one of the best linebackers in the league. Despite this, the next two seasons of Arrington’s career would be riddled with injuries.
Entering the 2007 season, the NY Giants thought that Arrington was still in his All-Pro state of play. With this in mind, the team signed the 27-year-old ‘backer to a massive seven-year, $49 million deal.
However, Arrington’s career would quickly come to an end after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in a Week 7 matchup against the Cowboys. The Giants would go on to release Arrington after the season, and he never played another snap in the NFL. A very sad end to a once very promising career.