A preseason designation for players recovering from injuries sustained before training camp. PUP list players do not count against the 53-man roster and must miss the first four weeks of the regular season before becoming eligible to return.
The Physically Unable to Perform list is a designation for players who suffered injuries prior to the start of training camp and are unable to practice or play. There are two phases of the PUP list: the preseason PUP list and the regular-season PUP list. Players on the preseason PUP list during camp can be activated at any time once they are healthy enough to practice. If a player remains on the PUP list when the team makes its final roster cuts to 53 players, they are moved to the regular-season PUP list. These players do not count against the 53-man roster, giving the team an extra roster spot. However, the player must miss at least the first four games of the regular season. After that period, the team can open a 21-day practice window, similar to the injured reserve return process. A key restriction of the PUP list is that the injury must have been sustained before the start of training camp. If a player participates in even one practice during training camp, they become ineligible for the PUP designation. Players who get hurt during camp must be placed on injured reserve instead. The PUP list is particularly useful for players recovering from surgeries that occurred during or after the previous season.
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers began the 2024 offseason on the PUP list as he recovered from his torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 of the 2023 season. He was activated before the start of the regular season after completing his rehabilitation.
Category: Roster Management. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.