Injuries are part of any sport, especially in physical, full-contact sports like American Football.

Many big-named NFL players have retired early in recent years due to nagging injuries. This includes former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl quarterback Patrick Willis, Indianapolis Colts star quarterback Andrew Luck, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame) and Luke Kuechly -- the Carolina Panthers standout linebacker and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year.

Once again, the NFL was hit hard by injuries to key players in 2019. According to a study from the Associated Press, NFL teams wound up paying over $500 million to injured players this season.

The report paid close attention to players who started in Week 1 starters who suffered injuries and players who finished 2019 on the injured reserve. The study showed that wide receiver suffered more injuries than any other position (82), followed by cornerbacks (78) and safeties (60). Centers and quarterbacks suffered the least injuries (22 apiece).

AP's study found that the Philadelphia Eagles -- who managed to win the NFC East Division -- wound up losing "the most with millions unavailable due to games missed," with 11 players landing on the IR.

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Among the highest-paid players to have missed significant time? Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger played two games before an elbow injury forced him to miss the final 14 games. His 2019 salary was $21 million, according to Spotrac.com.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton ($19.1 million in salary) played in two games before a foot injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year. Jacksonville Jagaurs signal-caller Nick Foles ($15.625 million) missed significant time due to a broken clavicle, making only four starts.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who signed a $54 million extension in September, missed four games of action. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (still on his rookie contract) was sidelined for two games with a dislocated kneecpa, but he and Hill overcame their injuries to help the Chiefs reach Super Bowl LIV.

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