The NFL has recently updated its rules regarding injured reserve for the upcoming 2024 season. Teams will still have a maximum of eight designations during the regular season, but they will now have the opportunity to carry over any unused designations into the postseason, giving them a total of 10 designations available. This change provides teams with more flexibility when it comes to managing player injuries throughout the season.
In addition to the increased number of designations, players will now be allowed to return from the injured reserve list a total of two times, including during the postseason. This new rule gives players more opportunities to recover from injuries and return to the field to help their team during critical playoff games.
One interesting proposal that was brought up by the Lions was the idea of allowing unlimited IR returns in the postseason. While this proposal was not adopted, it shows that teams are looking for ways to give injured players more chances to make a comeback when it matters most.
Another significant change approved by the NFL is the ability for teams to place two players on injured reserve on the day of the initial roster cutdown to 53 players. This adjustment allows teams to make roster decisions based on player injuries right up until the start of the regular season, without having to wait for players to spend time on the 53-man roster before being eligible for activation from injured reserve.
Despite these changes, players on injured reserve will still be required to miss four games before they are allowed to return to the field. This rule ensures that players have enough time to recover from their injuries and reduces the risk of re-injury by rushing players back too soon.
Overall, these updates to the injured reserve rules provide teams with more options for managing player injuries throughout the season and postseason. By allowing for more designations, additional opportunities for player returns, and greater flexibility in roster decisions, the NFL is working to ensure that teams can field competitive rosters despite the challenges of player injuries.