The NFL and the NFL Players Association have made some changes to the injured reserve rules for the 2024 season. Teams can now designate two additional players for return in the postseason, on top of the eight players already allowed in the regular season. This means that teams can have a maximum of ten total designations between the regular season and the playoffs.
If a team hasn’t used any designations during the regular season, they can designate up to 10 players for return in the postseason. However, if they have already used up their eight-player limit in the regular season, they will only be granted two additional designations for the playoffs. Each player can be designated for return up to two times in a season, but each instance will count against the team’s total allocations.
Players placed on injured reserve do not count against the team’s 53-man roster. In the past, if a player was put on IR before the season started, they would be out for the entire year. Now, teams can designate up to two players for return on the final roster reduction day, which will count against the team’s eight total return designations for the regular season.
The new rule also allows for two postseason designations and two designations for return on roster cutdown day. When a player is designated for return, they must spend at least four games on injured reserve. Once cleared to practice, they have 21 days to return to the active roster or they will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.
It’s important to note that the injured reserve list is different from the active/physically unable to perform list (PUP). Players on the PUP list remain on the active roster during training camp and can participate in team activities, but they are not allowed to practice or play in games. If a player is moved from the active/PUP list to the reserve/PUP list as teams trim their rosters, they will have to sit out the first four games of the season.
These rule changes aim to provide teams with more flexibility when it comes to managing players who are dealing with injuries. By allowing for additional designations for return in the postseason and on roster cutdown day, teams have more options to bring back key players who may have initially been placed on injured reserve. This could potentially have a significant impact on team rosters and strategies as they navigate the challenges of the NFL season.