Stuff like achilles and other non contact injuries, aren't they repetitive stress injuries like everyday normal people getting carpal tunnel? There's also a genetic and training component to protecting against them, but the body may only have x amount of that movement before it breaks down, in that case less games would prolong their careers?
Also, this is the kind of stuff my mom and partner talk about, but constant air travel may also be bad for the body especially when it is weakened or healing? So if less games also allowed for easier travel schedules with shorter flights - and teams playing in LA or NY on the road did both teams over 2-3 days, same with other close trips. Players may fly even less. Some might opt to drive from SF to Sac or similar.
I am not a physical therapist/sports scientist so I don't have the answers. But I think it would have benefits to everyone if they can make it work within the confines of arena and tv scheduling.
