I have a couple of cells with similar damage. It happened most likely due to a drop with the bezel down in one of my lights. Not sure which one though as I used keep both an Eagtac and a Nitecore as back up at work. Neither of which have a head spring. Now that I think about it, it likely was both lights. Usually I keep one each in my kit but there was a time when I think I had stored only 16650s and had to swap it in the Nitecore. Anyway, seems like yours are Keeppower cells as well. I've not had any issues in mine and they have both been used that way for months.
I now try to avoid buying any new flashlights that don't have a spring at both ends.