I have never witnessed such a rash of injuries to the National Football League’s top players.

Sure, guys get banged up and miss a game or two, but this season has been devastating for the NFL as its best-known players are going down, many for the rest of the season.

Here is a partial listing of injuries:

• Richard Sherman, Seattle

• Aaron Rogers, Green Bay

• Deshaun Watson, Houston

• J.J. Watts, Houston

• Eric Berry, Kansas City

• Joe Thomas, Cleveland

• Odell Beckum Jr., New York Giants

• Brandon Marshall, New York Giants

• Sam Bradford, Minnesota

• Dalvin Cook, Minnesota

• Carson Palmer, Arizona

• Carson Wentz. Philadelphia

• Ryan Tannehill, Miami

• Julian Edelman, New England

There are even more players, and I do not expect to see that list stop growing over the final few weeks of the season.

There are plenty of theories about the wide-spread injury problem, but they are just that — theories.

Perhaps it is just one of those years. The law of averages always catches up with you, whether or not you are the everyday Joe or a star professional player.

Usually, you see this type of situation limited to a particular team instead of an entire league, but it is what it is.

Professional sports have always had that “next man up” mentality, and that has never been more tested than this season.

It has provided opportunities for younger players to step in and make a difference for their teams as they drive for those final playoff spots.

It has also provided journeyman players like Case Keenum to step in as a third-string quarterback and play the best football of his career.

What the rash of injuries has also done is create an interesting finish to the NFL season.

There are still plenty of teams still vying for those last few playoff spots or division championships.

With each new injury, the landscape shifts as to who is the best team in a particular division or conference.

I cannot wait to see how this all plays out.

In Philadelphia, will Nick Foles be able to pick up the slack for the loss of Wentz, and lead the Eagles to the conference’s best record and a run to the Super Bowl?

The drama is building, and teams will become desperate as the season winds down to make a big move to fill a spot voided by an injury or a need.

Heck, rumors are already swirling that the Eagles should contact retired Tony Romo to play quarterback.

Will this be the moment Colin Kaepernick finally returns to the NFL?

Tune in each Thursday, Sunday and Monday night to see how this all unfolds.

It should be a spectacular finish.

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com.