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Injury Rounds
Aaron Jones | Right knee injury | Awaiting information | Doubtful Week 11
Initial reports Sunday night suggest Jones suffered an MCL sprain.
Return from an MCL sprain is tricky to predict. Recovery timetables are often in the 1-4 week range for low or mid-grade injuries. Some players have swelling and stiffness limiting range of motion. Others feel looseness in the joint and aren't comfortable playing despite relatively minimal pain and swelling.
Video did not show an obvious MCL injury and Jones showed more discomfort than what might be expected with a low-grade MCL sprain. The physical exam is generally straightforward with knee injuries and there's a good chance an MRI will confirm a short-term injury.
The Packers have a Week 13 bye. Unless Jones has a very minor injury with a reassuring MRI, it's unlikely he'll return until Week 14.
I'll update further after the imaging results are reported.
Monday update: An MRI showed Jones suffered a "mild" MCL sprain. The early timetable is 1-2 weeks. Prepare for Jones to be out until Week 14.
Alvin Kamara | Left MCL sprain | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 11
Kamara battled through an MCL sprain in the second half of his Week 9 game. As frequently occurs with MCL injuries, Kamara had more discomfort the day following the game and never recovered enough to be cleared to play.
The Saints did not move Kamara to injured reserve last week. In most cases, that's a reassuring indication that the team feels a player can safely recover and miss less than three weeks of action. It's even more reassuring in Kamara's case as New Orleans has two consecutive Thursday night games in Week 12 and 13.
Still, it's too soon to presume Kamara will be ready to return this week. Local beat writers were expressing concern about Kamara's status even before his missed Wednesday practice last week. Watch for similar clues early this week.
Cordarrelle Patterson | Right high ankle sprain | Week-to-Week | Doubtful Week 11
Monday update: The Falcons suggested Patterson could have returned to Sunday's game. Upon further evaluation on Monday, Patterson is considered week-to-week. Video suggests a high ankle sprain. There's no chance Patterson recovers in time for Thursday night's game against the Patriots. Week 13 is the earliest reasonable expectation.
Follow Up Appointments
Kyler Murray | Left ankle injury | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 11
Murray reportedly was close to playing on Sunday but the Cardinals elected to be cautious and limit the risk of aggravation and a longer-term absence. It's reassuring Murray is close. The Cardinals have a Week 12 bye. If Murray isn't close to recovering, Arizona could choose to extend the period of caution through next week's game and the following week's bye.
Jay Glazer initially reported a 1-3 week recovery timetable and Murray has now missed a little over two weeks. When asked if the team was thinking ahead to a divisional matchup against Seattle in Week 11 and prioritizing Murray's health for that game, Kliff Kingsbury said that had been in consideration.
Consider Murray to the probable side of questionable for now. If he's not back to practice on Wednesday, it will be concerning.
Monday update: Kingsbury told reporters "it's going to be close" when asked whether Murray would be able to return this week.
Saquon Barkley | Left ankle sprain | Day-to-Day | Questionable Week 11
Barkley was unable to practice before New York's Week 9 game while in COVID protocols. Based on local observations of his early bye week practices, his ankle would likely have prevented him from playing anyway.
If Barkley returns to practice on Wednesday and responds well enough to work out again on Thursday, he'll have a good chance to return. It's still too soon to know whether he'll have a limited or full workload if he does return.
Monday update: Barkley was reportedly moving well in a Monday workout. He is trending toward a Week 11 return.
Rob Gronkowski | Back injury | Week-to-Week | Questionable Week 11
Initial reports suggested Gronkowski left the game in Week 8 with back spasms. It was reasonable to assume Gronkowski would recover through the bye and play in Week 10. Unfortunately, the report of back spasms was only part of the story.
Gronkowski has a long history of disc issues, including multiple surgeries to address herniations and inflammation around his spine. His inability to practice and play two weeks after leaving a game is suspicious for another flare. Bruce Arians told reporters this week "is a better timeframe" for Gronkowski but week-to-week is still a better expectation.
Fast Track News and Notes
***DeAndre Hopkins has yet to practice, two-and-a-half weeks after aggravating a hamstring strain. The Cardinals are hopeful he'll return for this week's divisional game in Seattle but it's possible Hopkins' absence will extend through their Week 12 bye.
***Antonio Brown did not look close to recovering from an ankle sprain in rehab video from last week. An Instagram note from his trainer implied the injury is a deltoid ligament sprain. That's a difficult injury to rehab and is likely the reason Brown is not yet close to full strength.
***Baker Mayfield suffered a mild right knee hyperextension and bruise. He did not return but the Browns are hopeful he'll avoid swelling and stiffness that would threaten his Week 11 availability.
***Zach Wilson will likely be cleared to return to contact this week. The Jets will need to decide whether they prefer Wilson or Mike White in Week 11.
Currently on Injured Reserve / PUP / NFI
Clyde Edwards-Helaire | Right MCL sprain | Designated to return Week 10 | Questionable Week 11
Late last week, Andy Reid told reporters "it would be a stretch" for Edwards-Helaire to play on Sunday night and the Chiefs chose not to move him to the active roster. It's likely Edwards-Helaire will return to a limited role this week. If there are any concerns in practice this week, however, the Chiefs may elect to keep him on injured reserve through their Week 12 bye.
Monday update: Reid said Edwards-Helaire has a "pretty good chance to play" but that's far from confirmation the Chiefs will clear him before the bye.
Chris Carson | Cervical neck condition | Designated to return Week 10 | Doubtful Week 11
Carson was designated to return from injured reserve and practiced last week. Pete Carroll said Carson was "dying to play" after "two good, hard days" of practice but the team wasn't comfortable returning him to the active roster. General manager John Schneider said the team would continue to be "very, very careful" with Carson's return. The Seahawks are hopeful Carson can return this week.
Monday update: Carroll said the Seahawks would "revisit" Carson's situation on Wednesday. That's considerably less optimistic than their previous statements. It seems highly unlikely Carson plays this week.
Miles Sanders | Left ankle sprain | Eligible Week 11 | Doubtful Week 11
Sanders has not been in a walking boot for over a week. The Eagles have yet to update his condition or status. If they designate him to return early enough to practice on Wednesday, he could return to a limited role this week. Watch the early-week transactions for clues on his availability.
Kareem Hunt | Left calf strain | Eligible Week 10 | Target Week 12++
Players can return from injured reserve after three weeks but Hunt's calf strain is a longer-term, higher-grade injury. Kevin Stefanski ruled Hunt out early last week, despite the team knowing they'd be missing multiple backs due to COVID protocols. Hunt remains at least 1-2 weeks away from returning and may not be cleared until after Cleveland's Week 13 bye.
Logan Thomas | Right hamstring strain | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Target Week 12+
Thomas was sore after rehab early last week and was "just not ready to be on the football field" according to Ron Rivera. Washington has yet to designate him to return. Thomas is at least one week from returning.
Will Fuller | Finger fracture | Eligible Week 8 - Remains on IR | Questionable Week 11
Fuller doesn't appear close to returning according to local beat writers. He's doubtful to be activated this week.
Ryan Fitzpatrick | Right hip subluxation | Eligible Week 5 - Remains on IR | 2022 return
An MRI showed Fitzpatrick's hip was not recovering quickly enough and he's unlikely to return this season. This isn't surprising. Fitzpatrick's only hope of returning in 2021 was to rehab without surgery but that was more optimism than expectation.
Injured Players by Position
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Quarterbacks
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
|
Current Status
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FBG Expectation
|
W10 Availability
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| Kyler Murray | Ari | Left ankle injury | Week 8 | Day-to-Day | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Colt McCoy | Ari | Pectoral strain | Week 10 | Day-to-Day | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Baker Mayfield | Cle | Right knee contusion | Week 10 | Day-to-Day | Week 11 return | Probable |
| Ben Roethlisberger | Pit | COVID+ | Nov 13 | Day-to-Day | Week 12 return | Doubtful |
| Jared Goff | Det | Oblique strain | Week 10 | Day-to-Day | Week 11 return | Questionable |
| Zach Wilson | NYJ | Right PCL sprain | Week 7 | Day-to-Day | Week 11 return | Probable |
| Drew Lock | Den | COVID+ | Nov 7 | Day-to-Day | Week 12 return | Bye |
| - | ||||||
| Sam Darnold | Car | Right scapula fracture | Week 8 | IR - Eligible Week 14 | Week 14++ return | IR |
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Running Backs
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Player
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Team
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Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
FBG Expectation
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W10 Availability
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| Aaron Jones | GB | Right MCL sprain | Week 10 | Awaiting information | Week 14+ return | Doubtful |
| Alvin Kamara | NO | Left MCL sprain | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Nick Chubb | Cle | COVID+ | Nov 9 | Day-to-Day | Week 11 return | Probable |
| Saquon Barkley | NYG | Left ankle injury | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Devontae Booker | NYG | Hip injury | Week 9 | Day-to-Day | Week 11 return | Probable |
| Cordarrelle Patterson | Atl | Right high ankle sprain | Week 10 | Week-to-Week | Week 13+ return | Doubtful |
| Damien Harris | NE | Concussion | Week 9 | Concussion protocol | Week 12+ return | Doubtful |
| Latavius Murray | Bal | Left ankle injury | Week 6 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| JaMycal Hasty | SF | Ankle injury | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Week 12+ return | Doubtful |
| Jamaal Williams | Det | Hip injury | Week 7 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Jermar Jefferson | Det | Left high ankle sprain | Week 10 | Week-to-Week | Week 13+ return | Doubtful |
| Justin Jackson | LAC | Groin strain | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| Derrick Henry | Ten | Fifth metatarsal fracture | Week 8 | IR - Eligible Week 12 | Week 17+ return | IR |
| Chase Edmonds | Ari | Left high ankle sprain | Week 9 | IR - Eligible Week 14 | Week 14+ return | IR |
| Clyde Edwards-Helaire | KC | Right MCL sprain | Week 5 | IR - DTR Week 10 | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Chris Carson | Sea | Cervical neck condition | Chronic | IR - DTR Week 10 | Week 12+ return | Doubtful |
| Miles Sanders | Phi | Left ankle sprain | Week 7 | IR - Eligible Week 11 | Week 11+ return | Doubtful |
| Kareem Hunt | Cle | Left calf strain | Week 6 | IR - Eligible Week 10 | Week 11++ return | Doubtful |
| Tarik Cohen | Chi | Right ACL reconstruction | Sep-2020 | Reserve - PUP | Week 12++ return | PUP |
| Malcolm Brown | Mia | Quad injury | Week 7 | IR _ Eligible Week 11 | Week 11+ return | IR |
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Wide Receivers Injured
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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FBG Expectation
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W10 Availability
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| DeAndre Hopkins | Ari | Hamstring strain | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Antonio Brown | TB | Ankle injury | Week 6 | Week-to-Week | Week 12+ return | Doubtful |
| Chase Claypool | Pit | Toe injury | Week 9 | Week-to-Week | Week 11++ return | Doubtful |
| Sterling Shepard | NYG | Quad strain | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Week 12+ return | Doubtful |
| Curtis Samuel | Was | Aggravated groin strain | Week 5 | Week-to-Week | Week 12++ return | Doubtful |
| Denzel Mims | NYJ | COVID+ | Nov 9 | Day-to-Day | Week 11 return | Probable |
| - | ||||||
| Calvin Ridley | Atl | Behavioral health | Week 9 | NFI - Eligible Week 12 | Week 12+ return | NFI |
| Julio Jones | Ten | Hamstring strain | Chronic | IR - Eligible Week 14 | Week 14+ return | IR |
| Will Fuller | Mia | Finger fracture | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 11+ return | Doubtful |
| DeVante Parker | Mia | Hamstring strain | Chronic | IR - Eligible Week 12 | Week 12+ return | IR |
| Quintez Cephus | Det | Left clavicle fixation | Week 5 | IR - Eligible Week 10 | Late 2021 return | IR |
| Dante Pettis | NYG | Shoulder injury | Week 9 | IR - Eligible Week 13 | Week 13+ return | IR |
| Scott Miller | TB | Toe sprain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 7 | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
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Tight Ends Injured
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Player
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Team
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Injury
|
Date
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Current Status
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FBG Expectation
|
W10 Availability
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| Rob Gronkowski | TB | Back spasms | Week 8 | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Dallas Goedert | Phi | Concussion | Week 10 | Concussion protocol | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Ricky Seals-Jones | Was | Hip injury | Week 10 | Day-to-Day | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| Jonnu Smith | NE | Shoulder injury | Chronic | Week-to-Week | Week 11+ return | Questionable |
| - | ||||||
| Logan Thomas | Was | Right hamstring strain | Week 4 | IR - Eligible Week 8 | Week 12+ return | Doubtful |
| Blake Jarwin | Dal | Hip injury | Week 8 | IR - Eligible Week 12 | Week 12+ return | IR |
| James OShaughnessy | Jac | Right high ankle sprain | Week 2 | IR - Eligible Week 6 | Week 11+ return | IR |
Injured Players Not Expected to Return in 2021
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Notable Quarterbacks on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| Jameis Winston | NO | Left ACL / MCL injury | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 8 | Week 12 | 2022 return |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick | Was | Right hip subluxation | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 5 | 2022 return |
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Notable Running Backs on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| Cam Akers | LAR | Right Achilles repair | Jul-2021 | Reserve - NFI | Week 7 | 2022 return |
| J.K. Dobbins | Bal | Left ACL reconstruction+ | Aug-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Gus Edwards | Bal | ACL reconstruction | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Justice Hill | Bal | Achilles repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 1 | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Raheem Mostert | SF | Knee microfracture surgery | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 2 | Week 5 | 2022 return |
| Travis Etienne | Jac | Left Lisfranc repair | Aug-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| James White | NE | Right hip injury | Sep-2021 | IR - Sep 2021 | Week 7 | 2022 return |
| Darrynton Evans | Ten | Knee injury | Oct-2021 | IR - Oct 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
| Kylin Hill | GB | Right ACL tear | Nov-2021 | IR - Week 8 | Week 12 | 2022 return |
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Notable Wide Receivers on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
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Date
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Current Status
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Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| Robert Woods | LAR | ACL tear | Nov-2021 | IR (expected) | Week 14 | 2022 return |
| Michael Thomas | NO | Syndesmosis/deltoid repair | Jun-2021 | Reserve-PUP | Week 7 | 2022 return |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Pit | Right shoulder labrum repair | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 5 | Week 10 | 2022 return |
| D.J. Chark | Jac | Left ankle fracture | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 4 | Week 9 | 2022 return |
| Parris Campbell | Ind | Left foot surgery | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 6 | Week 10 | 2022 return |
| K.J. Hamler | Den | Left ACL tear | Sep-2021 | IR - Week 3 | Week 7 | 2022 return |
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Notable Tight Ends on PUP or NFI or IR
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Player
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Team
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Injury
|
Date
|
Current Status
|
Eligible to Return |
FBG Return Target
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| Irv Smith | Min | Meniscus repair | Sep-2021 | IR - Preseason | Week 4 | 2022 return |
| Robert Tonyan Jr | GB | Right ACL tear | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 9 | Week 12 | 2022 return |
| Maxx Williams | Ari | Right knee injury | Oct-2021 | IR - Week 5 | Week 9 | 2022 return |
| Dalton Keene | NE | Meniscus repair | Jul-2021 | IR - Aug 2021 | 2022 | 2022 return |
INSEASON INJURY COVERAGE
My writing and podcast schedule will include:
Monday Injury Rounds > Published Sunday night and updated through Tuesday morning. This feature will review all the major injuries from the weekend's games, provide follow-up analysis on injured players who have yet to return to play, and project when every injured player will return.
Waiver Wire Podcast > Tuesday morning release reviewing all injuries at the quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end positions with Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom heading into your weekly waiver run.
Midweek Injury Expectations > Published late Wednesday night after the first weekly practice participation report and updated through Thursday's practice report. This feature will detail the current practice participation of every listed player and project the likelihood each player will play in the coming week.
Thursday Live Audible podcast > Joining Cecil Lammey, Sigmund Bloom, and Matt Waldman at 9:00 ET every Thursday night for a comprehensive Q&A updating all player injuries.
Gameday Injury Expectations > Published Saturday, this feature will review the practice status of every injured player, provide analysis on player/coach/beat writer comments throughout the week, and discuss how likely and how effective each injured player will be on Sunday.
Sunday Live Gameday podcast > Joining Sigmund Bloom at 10:00 ET every Sunday morning to discuss and interpret the week's practice participation reports and breaking weekend injury news.
DECIPHERING THE ALPHABET SOUP OF INJURY LISTS
Players not ready for camp practices are placed on one of two lists – Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) or Non-Football Injury/Illness (NFI).
Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)
Active/PUP – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. This list is commonly used for veterans still recovering from injury and those who fail conditioning tests before camp begins.
Reserve/PUP – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.
Non-Football Injury / Illness (NFI)
Active/NFI – Preseason only list. Once a player participates in any part of a scheduled training camp practice, they are ineligible for this list. Players can be activated from this list at any time. Only veterans with a non-football related injury or rookies injured before the NFL draft are eligible for this list.
Reserve/NFI – Regular season only list. Players still on Active/PUP at the end of camp are eligible to move to Reserve/PUP. Players cannot practice with the team until after Week 6. Teams then have six weeks to evaluate the player before moving to the active roster or to season-ending injured reserve.
Injured Reserve – Return Designation
Each NFL team can return an unlimited number of players to the active roster from injured reserve. Teams are not forced to designate this player at the time of the move to injured reserve. Players designated to return can begin practicing and are eligible to return after missing three games. This rule allows a team to continually evaluate the rehab and recovery of their injured players and provides roster flexibility should teams have multiple key injuries early in the season.
Follow me on Twitter @JeneBramel for breaking injury news and analysis throughout the off-season.
