Which position in football gets hit the least?

The Safest Spot on the Football Field

Football is a full-contact sport, known for its hard hits and intense physicality. But not every position bears the brunt of the punishment equally. If you're looking to stay off the injury report, there’s one place on the field where players see far fewer collisions: the special teams unit.

Long snappers, kickers, and punters face the lowest risk of injury in the game. These specialists are often overlooked, but their roles are crucial—especially in tight games where a single field goal or punt can shift momentum. What makes their jobs safer is simple: they’re rarely involved in blocking or tackling. While linemen clash at the line and linebackers deliver bone-jarring tackles, kickers and punters are sprinting away from the play, and long snappers usually have just one precise snap to make before play moves on.

Statistically, only around 4% of long snappers suffer injuries during a season—by far the lowest rate in the NFL. Kickers and punters aren't even tracked as frequently because their injury numbers are so low. Of course, they’re not completely immune—accidents happen, and collisions can occur during returns or blocked kicks—but compared to other positions, they’re playing a much lower-risk version of the same game.

So if you love football but have a healthy fear of concussions and knee injuries, maybe it’s worth perfecting that spiral snap or perfecting your field goal range. The special teams might not get the glory of a touchdown pass or a sack, but they do get something rare in football: a little more safety in an otherwise punishing sport.