5 NFL players who suffered season-ending injuries while playing on franchise tag feat. Dak Prescott

NFL players are always at risk of suffering injuries that can directly affect their careers and potentially their future salaries. That risk becomes amplified for players entering a season while on the franchise tag because they have no guaranteed contract beyond the year ahead of them.

Most NFL players dislike playing on the franchise tag because of the extreme risk that comes along with it. Suffering an injury while tagged could potentially be catastrophic for that player's future.

Here are five NFL players who suffered a season-ending injury while playing on the tag.

#1 Bud Dupree

Bud Dupree found himself in a frustrating situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2020 offseason. He was tagged as a linebacker rather than a defensive end, which is basically the same thing positionally for an edge rusher. This, however, caused him to make $2 million less in salary.

Bud Dupree seemed to maybe get a little emotional when asked about producing in a contract year, and what that could mean for him. #Steelers https://t.co/nhgkNVkUYM

Dupree played on the tag, despite being unhappy with the situation for multiple reasons. In Week 12 of the 2020 NFL season, he suffered a season-ending torn ACL. He departed the Steelers and signed with the Tennessee Titans the following season.

#2 Dak Prescott

Dak Prescott was in a high-profile contract dispute with the Dallas Cowboys as he sought to become one of the highest-paid players of all time. While the two sides were unable to come to an agreement prior to the 2020 NFL season, the Cowboys placed the franchise tag on him.

Dak Prescott suffered a gruesome ankle injury in Week 5 and ended his season early. He again entered contract negotiations during the 2021 offseason and eventually earned the massive deal he was looking for. His $126 million in guaranteed money was the most for any player ever at the time he signed it.