Tyler Lockett avoids big hits mainly to protect his body, extend his career, and reduce the risk of serious injuries like broken bones or long‑term brain trauma.

Health and longevity

Lockett has talked about how physical the NFL is and how repeated big collisions can lead to long‑term issues, including surgeries and concerns about things like CTE after football. By getting down or sliding once he has what he needs on a play, he lowers the chance of catastrophic hits while still staying productive and available for his team over a long season and career.

Coaching and play style

He has mentioned learning from coaches and veteran receivers (like Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce as examples) who emphasized catching the ball, getting what you can, and then getting down rather than seeking extra contact. That approach fits his size and skill set: at about 5'10" and around 180 pounds, avoiding unnecessary collisions is a way to play “smart” and survive in a league full of much bigger defenders.

Past injuries and risk tradeoff

Earlier in his career, Lockett suffered a severe leg injury (broken tibia and fibula), which highlighted the physical risk he faces on every play. Since then, consistently avoiding big hits has helped him miss very few games, trading a few extra yards after the catch for long‑term availability and safety.