Dr. Jorge Chahla, MD, PhD and Mary Kate Walsh, PA-C

A couple of weeks ago, in the early minutes of the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions second quarter, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson dove to break up a pass. Initially, it seemed like a victorious moment for the Bears, but it quickly changed to concern as Johnson lay on the ground with a reported groin re-injury. Back in July, reports indicated that Johnson sustained a proximal adductor muscle avulsion (a muscle detachment in the groin area), which eventually caused him to miss training camp and the first game of the season. We know from our patients that groin injuries are deceptively common in football and can take weeks or even months to recover from.

Unfortunately, Johnson isn’t alone when it comes to suffering recurrent and nagging groin injuries. These injuries typically don’t make the game highlights, but they are one of the most common—and frustrating—problems in football. From beginners to NFL veterans, groin injuries can derail momentum, sideline careers, and test an athlete’s patience.

Groin injuries explained

Multiple types of injuries to the groin exist. In general, the most common include adductor injuries, hip flexor strains, sports hernias, and femoroacetabular impingement with an associated labral tear.

Adductor strains, otherwise known as groin strains, are the “classic” groin injury. The proximal adductor tendon connects the inner thigh muscles to the pelvis, located at the top of the groin where the thigh meets the hip. Quick cuts, sudden stops, or awkward tackles overstretch the muscles on the inner thigh and can lead to a strain or avulsion of the tendon from the bone. Hip flexor strains strike when the muscles in the front of the hip get pushed past their limit, often in a sprint or when lunging to make a tackle. A sports hernia, despite the name, is not a true hernia. These hernias involve tears or weakening in the lower abdominal wall and cause nagging pain that lingers without proper care. Finally, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is an intra-articular condition where the ball and socket of the hip joint fail to fit together smoothly, causing them to impinge against each other and eventually leading to a labral tear. Over time, this can yield pain in the groin/hip region. For many athletes, the pain of FAI with an associated labral tear can feel like a groin pull that produces persistent pain.

Treating groin injuries

How these injuries are managed is often highly driven by the level of play. For high school athletes, the focus is on protecting long-term health. Rest, guided physical therapy, and gradual return-to-play help ensure a full recovery. Pushing too quickly risks turning an acute injury into a chronic issue. At the collegiate level, the approach is more advanced. Rehabilitation addresses not just the injured muscles but also the core and hips to ensure the entire system is strong and stable. Athletic trainers and doctors keep a close eye on workload, striking a balance between recovery and the relentless demands of competition. Biologic injections can be considered for chronic injuries.

For NFL players, the stakes are even higher. With seasons and careers on the line, treatment often involves advanced diagnostics, regenerative medicine such as platelet-rich plasma injections, and, when necessary, minimally invasive surgery. Prevention becomes just as important as treatment at this stage, with players undergoing customized strength and flexibility programs plus motion analysis to lower the risk of reinjury.

Groin injuries may not always grab headlines, but they can sideline athletes at any level of football. The key is early recognition, smart management, and patience. In football, every challenge on the field is an opportunity to come back stronger — groin injuries included.