A roster designation for players with injuries that prevent them from playing. Players placed on IR must miss at least four games before becoming eligible to return, freeing their active roster spot in the interim.
Injured reserve is a roster designation for players who have sustained injuries that will sideline them for an extended period. When a player is placed on IR, they are removed from the 53-man active roster, opening a roster spot for another player. The injured player's salary and cap hit continue to count against the team's salary cap, but the team gains roster flexibility. Under current rules, players placed on IR must miss a minimum of four games before becoming eligible to return. Once the four-game window passes, the team can open a 21-day practice window during which the player can return to practice. The team then has 21 days to either activate the player to the 53-man roster or place them on IR for the remainder of the season. There is no limit on the number of players a team can return from IR during a season. The IR rules have evolved significantly. Previously, IR was a season-ending designation with very limited return provisions. The current system provides much more flexibility, allowing teams to manage injuries strategically. Some teams use short-term IR placements for players with injuries expected to heal in 4-6 weeks, knowing they can be returned to the active roster later.
Category: Roster Management. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.