The NFL was forced to be creative when it came to completing a full season in a successful manner during the COVID-19 pandemic. To do this, the league changed some of its rules when it came to practice squads and injured reserve. While we are now mostly past the pandemic, some of the rules have stuck. This week, the NFL made an official announcement on guidelines for the upcoming season.
For injured reserve, teams are permitted to return eight players from the IR list or reserve/non-football injury/illness list in 2022, per NFL Media. Last year, it was unlimited. Additionally, a player may be designated to return a maximum of two times in one season, with each return counting against the franchise's grand total of eight. A player designated to return is eligible to return to practice or the active/inactive list after four games have elapsed since he was placed on the reserve list.
As for the practice squad, the league is going to keep the number at 16 after being 10 just a few years ago, per NFL Media. The players who can be added to this group are players who do not have an accrued season of NFL experience, free agents who were on the active list for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season or seasons, and a maximum of 10 free agents who have earned no more than two accrued seasons. Teams can also have a maximum of six veterans with an unlimited amount of accrued seasons on their practice squads, as long the players in the latter two categories don't exceed 10.
A practice squad player can be elevated for a maximum of three regular-season games in the same year and any number of postseason games without taking up aspot on the 53-man active roster. Last year it was just two.
As an avid follower and expert in NFL operations, particularly the intricacies of roster management and rule changes, I am well-versed in the league's adaptations during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. My depth of knowledge extends beyond casual fandom, with a keen understanding of the NFL's evolving policies and regulations.
The NFL faced unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring innovative solutions to ensure the completion of a full season. One significant aspect of adaptation was seen in the adjustments made to the rules concerning practice squads and injured reserve (IR). These changes were crucial in maintaining the integrity of the game while prioritizing the health and safety of players and staff.
In the announcement made for the upcoming season, the NFL has solidified some of the alterations introduced during the pandemic. Notably, the modifications to injured reserve rules stand out. In 2022, teams are now allowed to bring back up to eight players from the IR list or reserve/non-football injury/illness list. This is a departure from the previous season when the number of returnees was unlimited. Furthermore, a player may now be designated to return a maximum of two times in a single season, with each return counting against the franchise's total of eight allowable returns. A player eligible for return can resume practice or join the active/inactive list after four games have passed since being placed on the reserve list.
Regarding practice squads, the league has opted to maintain the number at 16, a shift from the previous count of 10 just a few years ago. The criteria for player eligibility on the practice squad include those without an accrued season of NFL experience, free agents with fewer than nine regular-season games in their only accrued season or seasons, and a maximum of 10 free agents with no more than two accrued seasons. Teams also have the flexibility to include up to six veterans with an unlimited number of accrued seasons on their practice squads, provided they don't exceed a total of 10 players in the latter two categories. Notably, a practice squad player can now be elevated for a maximum of three regular-season games in a given year, along with any number of postseason games, without occupying a spot on the 53-man active roster. This marks an increase from the previous season, where the limit for regular-season games was set at two.
In conclusion, the NFL's strategic adjustments to injured reserve and practice squad rules demonstrate a proactive approach to challenges, emphasizing flexibility and player well-being while maintaining the competitive nature of the league. These changes, while initially prompted by the pandemic, have proven effective and are now integrated into the official guidelines for the upcoming season.
