Preexisting Rotator Cuff Tears as a Predictor of Outcomes in National Football League Athletes

BACKGROUND A preexisting rotator cuff tear may affect the draft status and career performance of National Football League (NFL) players. HYPOTHESIS Preexisting rotator cuff tears decrease a player's draft status, performance, and longevity in the NFL. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3. METHODS Medical reports of prospective NFL players during the NFL Scouting Combine from 2003 to 2011 were evaluated to identify players with a previous rotator cuff tear. Athletes were matched to control draftees without documented shoulder pathology by age, position, year drafted, and round drafted. Career statistics and performance scores were calculated. RESULTS Between 2003 and 2011, 2965 consecutive athletes were evaluated. Forty-nine athletes had preexisting rotator cuff tears: 22 athletes underwent surgical intervention for their tear and 27 were treated nonoperatively. Those with a rotator cuff tear were significantly less likely to be drafted than those without a previous injury (55.1% vs 77.5%, P = 0.002). The 27 drafted athletes with preexisting rotator cuff tears started significantly fewer games (23.7 vs 43.0, P = 0.02) and played significantly fewer years (4.3 vs 5.7, P = 0.04) and significantly fewer games (47.1 vs 68.4, P = 0.04) than matched control athletes without rotator cuff tears. CONCLUSION Athletes with a preexisting rotator cuff tear were less likely to be drafted and had decreased career longevity.