JUMP TO:
- Dislocated knee meaning in football
- Dislocated knee causes in NFL
- Dislocated knee grades in football
- Dislocated knee symptoms in football
- Dislocated knee treatments in NFL
- Dislocated knee recovery timeline in NFL
- How a dislocated knee impacts performance in football
- Dislocated knee vs. knee cap in NFL
- Dislocated knee vs. ACL in NFL
- Notable NFL dislocated knee injuries
- How dislocated knee in football compares to other sports
- Dislocated knee in NFL FAQs
Football can be a dangerous sport, and players run the risk of sustaining serious injuries each time they step on the gridiron.
Among the most serious injuries is a dislocated knee, a rare event that leads to structural damage and sometimes threatens a player's well-being outside of football. The examples of knee dislocations are few and far between, but each has come with a lengthy recovery timeline.
Here is everything to know about a dislocated knee injury, including its definition, causes and notable examples from inside and outside the football world.
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Dislocated knee meaning in football
A dislocated knee means that the knee has been forced into a position outside of its normal range of motion. As a result, the three bones in the knee are no longer aligned properly.
Dislocated knee causes in NFL
A knee dislocation happens when a traumatic event thrusts the bones in the knee joint out of place with great force.
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Dislocated knee grades in football
The Shenck classification of knee dislocation uses damage to the surrounding ligaments to distinguish knee dislocations based on severity. The higher the grade, the more ligaments are involved.
Cruciate ligaments are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Collateral ligaments are the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
- Grade 1: Includes disruption of the ACL or PCL
- Grade 2: Includes disruption of the ACL and PCL
- Grade 3: Includes disruption of the ACL and PCL and one of the MCL or LCL
- Grade 3M: Includes disruption of the ACL, PCL and MCL
- Grade 3L: Includes disruption of the ACL, PCL and LCL
- Grade 4: Includes disruption of the ACL and PCL as well as the MCL and LCL
- Grade 5: Includes disruption of the ligaments and a gracture
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Dislocated knee symptoms in football
Symptoms of a knee dislocation include severe pain, instability, swelling and bruising. Visually, the knee will appear out of place and need to be reset at some point.
Knee dislocations can damage arteries or blood vessels, depending on the way the injury occurred.
Dislocated knee treatments in NFL
There are several surgical options used to treat a dislocated knee. The surgery depends on the extent of the damage.
Surgery can be done to repair broken bones or reconstruct torn ligaments. There are also surgeries to correct damaged nerves and blood vessels. Because of injury variance, surgery can be done to fix any combination of those issues.
Depending on the damage, surgeons could opt for an arthroscopic knee surgery, which is done through small cuts made around the knee. Other injuries require "open" surgery with bigger cuts.
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Dislocated knee recovery timeline in NFL
The recovery timeline for a dislocated knee depends on the grade of the injury and the ligaments impacted.
Surgery to repair cruciate or medial ligaments often results in a rehabilitation and recovery timeline of at least 12 months.
How a dislocated knee impacts performance in football
A dislocated knee is a rare injury, but a few players have returned from it.
Running back Nick Chubb suffered a dislocated knee as a college sophomore in 2015 but returned to the field 11 months later and eventually was a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He turned in five seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards during his career.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater suffered a dislocated knee ahead of his third NFL season and after being sidelined for 16 months, returned as a full-time player, though he only spent two seasons as a starter.
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Dislocated knee vs. knee cap in NFL
A dislocated knee occurs when the femur and tibia are misaligned. A dislocated knee cap is different in that it occurs when the patella, or knee cap, slips out of its groove. It is also known as patellar dislocation.
A dislocated knee is typically a much more severe injury.
Dislocated knee vs. ACL in NFL
A dislocated knee involves misalignment of the knee bones, while an ACL injury involves the anterior cruciate ligament.
While a dislocated knee is an injury independent of an ACL injury, the two injuries can occur together. Grade 1 dislocated knees may include a disruption of the ACL. Any knee dislocation above a Grade 2 involves the ACL.
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Notable NFL dislocated knee injuries
Tyreek Hill
Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a gruesome injury on Monday Night Football against the New York Jets on Sept. 29, 2025.
Hill's leg injury came with just over 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter. After catching his sixth pass near the right sideline, Hill's legs got wrapped up by cornerback Malachi Moore.
Hill twisted as he fell to the ground, and after Moore moved his arms away, the receiver's left leg was out of place. The cart immediately came out for Hill, and he acknowledged Dolphins fans as he was taken to the locker room.
It was initially feared that Hill might need two surgeries with a return to the field up in the air. But his agent Drew Rosenhaus said that his initial surgery was a success would not be required. He also speculated that Hill would be able to return for the 2026 season.
Tyreek Hill’s surgery is now complete and “went very well according to his doctors”, per the receiver’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, who added another surgery will not be needed. “It’s about rehab and he will play next season. The realistic goal is the start of the season.” pic.twitter.com/u4lWrDPPvk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2025
Teddy Bridgewater
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has one of the more notable instances of a dislocated knee in the NFL.
During a practice on Aug. 30, 2016, Bridgewater suffered a dislocated knee, torn ACL and other structural damage during a non-contact play. The extent of the damage resulted in doctors needing to save Bridgewater's leg.
He returned to play in a game nearly 16 months later and has gone on to make 37 NFL starts over eight seasons since the injury.
Napoleon McCallum
Former Raiders running back Napoleon McCallum suffered a dislocated knee during Week 1 of the 1994 NFL season. His injury was severe, as he suffered a ruptured artery in the knee, tore three ligaments, tore the calf and hamstring from the bone and suffered nerve damage in his knee.
There was concern that McCallum's leg would need to be amputated but successful surgery prevented that outcome. The injury proved to be career-ending as he did not appear in another game.
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How dislocated knee in football compares to other sports
Knee dislocations are somewhat rare but typically occur when the foot is planted and a rapid change of direction or a twisting motion occurs.
In 2007, then-Clippers guard Shaun Livingston suffered a dislocated knee and kneecap, in addition to a torn ACL, PCL and meniscus, while also spraining his MCL. Livingston, who was 21 at the time, was told that there was a chance for amputation.
He missed the entirety of the next season but, after working to find his groove, developed back into a rotational player over three years later. Livingston appeared in 688 games following the injury, winning three NBA titles.
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Dislocated knee in NFL FAQs
How long is a dislocated knee recovery in NFL?
The timeline for a dislocated knee recovery is dependent on which structures are involved. The baseline for recovery begins with the dislocation, but the surgical fixes depend on which ligaments, arteries and vessels are impacted.
Players are typically sidelined for at least one year.
How serious is Tyreek Hill's injury?
The extent of Hill's injury is unknown outside of the knee dislocation and torn ACL. There are reportedly other ligaments impacted, but the specifics have not yet been disclosed.
Did Patrick Mahomes dislocate his knee?
No, but Patrick Mahomes dislocated his knee cap during Week 7 of the 2019 NFL season. He sustained the injury during a QB sneak and was forced to miss the remainder of that game and the next two games on the Kansas City Chiefs' schedule.
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What are the long-term risks of a dislocated knee injury?
Several risks and complications are associated with a dislocated knee injury.
If blood flow to the legs is lost, the leg may need to be amputated. Knee dislocations can also lead to deep vein thrombosis or a blood clot in the leg.
Is a dislocated knee the same as tearing a ligament?
A dislocated knee is not the same thing as tearing a ligament. The dislocation is in reference to the misalignment of the bones in the knee joint. Ligaments are typically impacted as a result of the dislocation.
Can wearing a brace prevent a dislocated knee in football?
A brace can help mitigate the risk, but enough force could cause the knee bones to misalign in the joint, resulting in a dislocation.
Can you walk if you have a dislocated knee?
You cannot walk if you have a dislocated knee, as the joint is misaligned and the leg is not stable.