Tag: injured reserve

NFL adopts a smart bylaw change to eliminate roster chicanery

NFL adopts a smart bylaw change to eliminate roster chicanery at the 53-man roster cutdowns, allowing players to be placed on IR earlier

The NFL smartly approved a bylaw change to the way the initial 53-man roster gets constructed at the end of the preseason. Proposed by the Lions, the new rule will eliminate some of the roster chicanery that teams have been forced to do.

In the past, players who were injured during the preseason or training camp had to make the initial 53-man roster before they could be placed on injured reserve. If they weren’t on that initial roster, they were ineligible to come back in the season; being placed on IR before the season effectively meant the season was over for that player with that team.

That procedural method led to some chaos every summer, with teams cutting veterans with the explicit purpose of creating a place on the 53-man roster for a player they were going to place on injured reserve. The Lions did this last August with Craig Reynolds; they released the running back in order to open a roster spot for Julian Okwara, who was subsequently placed on injured reserve immediately after making the roster. Reynolds was re-signed as soon as Okwara’s move to IR was processed, as was the plan the whole time.

The new rule allows teams to avoid this sort of roster sleight of hand. During the final roster reduction to 53 players, teams can move up to two players to injured reserve while maintaining their eligibility to return during the season.

This is a smart change, one that will prevent the task of having to tell a player who made the 53-man roster that he’s got to suddenly be unemployed for a couple of days because one of his teammates is injured.

NFL changes injured reserve rule for the end of preseason

The NFL changed its injured reserve rule for the end of preseason. Players won’t be let go and brought back the next day as procedural moves anymore:

The NFL announced multiple new rules changes this week during the owners meetings in Orlando, Fla., and one area of focus off the field of play was the way that injured reserve works to start the regular season.

That’s big news for every team, but especially the New Orleans Saints, who have had to start out players like Trevor Penning and Malcolm Roach on injured reserve after preseason before later activating them.

In the past, players who were injured during training camp or preseason with an opportunity to return had to be rostered on the first day of the regular season; otherwise they were not eligible to be activated once healthy. With this change, teams can have two players on the injured reserve list while making roster cuts down to the final 53 during the preseason. That’s going to keep some players from being released, waived, and later re-signed as procedural moves early in the season.

It could also save room for an extra roster spot in the case of someone that is certain to make the roster gets injured. As an example, in 2022 when Penning got hurt during preseason, the Saints could have kept another player around longer as opposed to saving that spot for him on the Week 1 roster. It’s a good change that is going to give teams more options to keep players who have earned the opportunity while allowing those with injuries time to recover.

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Chiefs activate WR Skyy Moore, place DL Charles Omenihu on injured reserve

The #Chiefs activated Skyy Moore and placed Charles Omenihu on injured reserve ahead of their Super Bowl LVIII matchup against the #49ers.

The Kansas City Chiefs made two key roster moves on Wednesday night ahead of their February 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Second-year wide receiver Skyy Moore was activated for the Chiefs’ championship bout with the 49ers, and veteran defensive lineman Charles Omenihu was placed on injured reserve after injuring his knee against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.

Moore was a contributor in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles and could play a role in Andy Reid’s game plan against San Francisco on Sunday.

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Omenihu joined the Chiefs as a free agent in the 2023 offseason and was among Kansas City’s most productive pass rushers after missing the team’s first six games due to a suspension.

Expect both of these moves to play a factor in the Chiefs’ approach to Super Bowl LVIII on both sides of the ball.

Chiefs designate RB Jerick McKinnon to return from injured reserve

Chiefs designate RB Jerick McKinnon to return from injured reserve

The Kansas City Chiefs should have a key playmaker return to practice in Las Vegas as the team has opened the 21-day practice window for veteran running back Jerick McKinnon. The Chiefs’ regular third down running back has been out of action since injuring his groin during the team’s Week 15 victory over the New England Patriots on December 17th.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the news on Saturday afternoon via social media. “A potential addition for the Super Bowl: Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon has been designated to return off Injured Reserve.” posted Rapoport on ‘X..’ “His practice window is open.”

McKinnon was placed on Kansas City’s injured reserve list on Christmas Eve, less than 24 hours before their Week 16 matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has stepped in admirably since as the team’s weekly third-down running back.

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McKinnon ended his 2023 regular season with 21 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown, with most of his production in the passing game consisting of 25 receptions for 192 yards and four touchdowns. He played in 12 games during the year due to the nagging injury. As his return to practice is positive news, it’s unclear whether or not one of Patrick Mahomes’ best red zone targets will be available for Super Bowl LVIII.

Lions place TE Brock Wright on injured reserve, add Zach Ertz to the practice squad

Lions place TE Brock Wright on injured reserve, add Zach Ertz to the practice squad

In an unfortunate turn of events, Brock Wright’s season is now over. The Lions placed the tight end on injured reserve on Wednesday with a broken forearm.

Wright had his brightest moment of the entire season in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a beautiful catch-and-run that set up a touchdown. Unfortunately, he broke his arm later in the game.

As expected, the team added veteran Zach Ertz to the practice squad to take Wright’s place. In addition to signing Ertz, the Lions signed veteran DT Tyson Alualu from the practice squad to the active roster. Alualu has been playing as a practice squad elevation.

Chiefs designate WR Skyy Moore to return from injured reserve

The #Chiefs opened the 21-day practice window for second-year WR Skyy Moore to return from injured reserve.

The Kansas City Chiefs saw a key playmaker return to practice on Wednesday when the team opened the 21-day practice window for second-year wide receiver Skyy Moore.

A second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Moore got off to a rocky start in 2023 before sustaining a knee injury that held him out since early December.

While it is unclear whether Kansas City intends to have Moore return to the field before the playoffs end, his inclusion in practice is a good sign for the former Western Michigan Bronco.

The Chiefs need all the help they can get at the wide receiver position after underwhelming 2023 campaigns from Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Justin Watson, and Kadarius Toney.

Moore caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl LVII that helped lift Kansas City to its second championship of the Patrick Mahomes era, and could be an asset for the team with the playoff experience he gained as a rookie last season.

Saints complete several last-second roster moves before Week 18 vs. Falcons

The Saints completed several last-second roster moves to prepare for Week 18’s game against the Falcons:

We’re hours away from what may be the last New Orleans Saints game of the year. A loss in Sunday’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons would end the Saints’ season, while a win could only extend it by a few more minutes, depending on how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ contest with the Carolina Panthers goes, or hours, with a couple of different late-afternoon matchups factoring into the playoff picture.

But it all starts with a win on Sunday. And to that end, the Saints processed a series of last-minute roster moves to bring up reinforcements from their practice squad and the injured reserve list. Here’s what you need to know about each of them:

Lions activate Alim McNeill, C.J. Gardner-Johnson from I.R.

Lions activate Alim McNeill, C.J. Gardner-Johnson from I.R. for Week 18

The big man in the middle of the Detroit defensive line is back, and so is the instigator in the secondary.. Tackle Alim McNeill and Safety C.J Gardner-Johnson have been activated by the Lions in advance of the Week 18 regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.

McNeill had been on injured reserve for the minimum four weeks after suffering a knee injury. Head coach Dan Campbell noted that he expected McNeill to return this week, and the coach proved a man of his word.

The same is true with Gardner-Johnson, who has been out since Week 2. The verbose veteran is expected to have a part-time role in his return.

The Lions had two open roster spots from previous transactions, including waiving DT Isaiah Buggs and TE Anthony Firkser.

Detroit also elevated DT Tyson Alualu and FB Jason Cabinda from the practice squad for Sunday’s game against Minnesota. In addition, Firkser re-signed to the practice squad.

Cowboys move RB Deuce Vaughn to IR, activate DE Junior Fehoko for Week 18

From @ToddBrock24f7: Vaughn’s regular season is over; he logged just 40 rushing yards total and added 40 receiving. Fehoko could make his season debut Sunday.

A bit of January roster churn is giving one promising Cowboys rookie a last shot at making his regular-season debut while bringing another’s first pro campaign to an early close.

The team is moving running back Deuce Vaughn to injured reserve and activating defensive end Junior Fehoko to that roster spot for Week 18. The move will require Vaughn to sit out for at least four weeks, meaning he wouldn’t be available again for Dallas until the Super Bowl, should the team get that far.

Fehoko was a fourth-round pick by the Cowboys in the 2023 draft. As the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year and among the top five collegiate defenders in the county in tackles for loss, the 6-foot-3-inch Fehoko was predicted to come in and compete immediately for a spot within the Dallas defensive line rotation.

But the San Jose State product was inactive for the first nine games of the season and then moved to IR with a knee injury on Nov. 18.

Vaughn, of course, came into his rookie year with very high hopes resting on his shoulders. The darling of the 2023 draft was a heartwarming sixth-round pick and showed flashes in training camp, but the elusive back has had a tough time making his impressive Kansas State stats translate to the pro game.

He’s carried the ball just 23 times for 40 yards this season and added seven receptions for another 40 yards.

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Vaughn’s move to IR- listed with an ankle injury- raises questions about the team’s depth at running back behind starter Tony Pollard heading into the postseason. Rico Dowdle had been getting the majority of the backup work but had to miss Week 17’s game versus Detroit with an ankle injury. Fullback Hunter Leupke has been used only sparingly as a ballcarrier, and Malik Davis has yet to see a rushing attempt this season.

The Vaughn development could mean that Dowdle is ready to return to action. But other observers have already wondered if the move is somehow a sign that the team will pursue Dalvin Cook, the four-time Pro Bowler just released by the Jets, to provide experience and depth for the coming playoff run.

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Broncos injury updates: Delarrin Turner-Yell to IR; Mike McGlinchey outlook ‘more optimistic’

The Broncos will place DB Delarrin Turner-Yell (ACL) on injured reserve. RT Mike McGlinchey (ribs) has a more optimistic outlook.

The Denver Broncos lost backup safety Delarrin Turner-Yell (knee) and right tackle Mike McGlinchey (ribs) to injuries during Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

After the game, Broncos coach Sean Payton said that he believed McGlinchey would be “fine.” One day later, the coach revealed that Turner-Yell suffered a season-ending ACL injury.

“Tight now, Mike’s news is better,” Payton said during his conference call with reporters Monday. “Delarrin Turner-Yell has an ACL. He’s going to be out and put on IR. Mike’s [injury] is a rib. I won’t get into the details, but we’re a lot more optimistic about him.”

Cam Fleming filled in for McGlinchey against the Chargers. Yell has played 71% of Denver’s special teams snaps this season. The Broncos will have to sort out a special teams replacement and their safety depth ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

After releasing Kareem Jackson last week and losing Turner-Yell on Sunday, Denver’s only remaining backup safety on the active roster is rookie JL Skinner, who has dressed for just one game this season.

The Broncos also have Devon Key and Keidron Smith available on the practice squad. It would not be surprising to see Key or Smith called up to the active roster for Week 18.

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