Thursday was the NFL's 2025 season kickoff, and it was a chance for former Michigan State linebacker Ben VanSumeren to make a name for himself as a newly-appointed fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
After spending the first couple of years of his NFL career as a linebacker, bouncing from practice squad to active roster, the Eagles' coaching staff decided to switch his position.
VanSumeren found himself back on the offensive side of the ball where he began his collegiate career, but this time at fullback. That's where he was expected to play on Thursday night to kick off the 2025 season with the NFL's first game, but it looks like he might be out for a while.
On the opening kickoff, the former Michigan State linebacker suffered an injury and was carted off the field. That moment was overshadowed by Jalen Carter spitting on Dak Prescott and getting ejected before the first snap of the year.
Note: If you're overly squeamish, you may not want to watch, but it's not as graphic as you might think.
You have to be one unlucky person to blow your knee on the first play of the season. Eagles Ben VanSumeren did just that pic.twitter.com/ltQGg68baP
— CFBBlueprint (@CFBBluePrint) September 5, 2025
It looks like he was engaged with a blocker on the opening kickoff, took a step, and likely felt a pop in his knee. It was a dreaded non-contact injury, and it looks like he may miss some time, especially if it's the ACL like everyone is fearing.
The Eagles have already ruled him out for the game with a knee injury, and if it was that quick, it's probably not a good thing. He's like dealing with an ACL or meniscus injury.
Obviously, this is the worst-case scenario for VanSumeren to start the year, but let's just hope it's not a tear of any sort and just a strain or something that will allow him to return this year.