Following the cutdown to 53 players, the new Reserve/Injured rule will work as follows:
- Only players with a “major injury” who are placed on Reserve/Injured after 4 p.m., New York time, on Tuesday, Sept. 4, or thereafter during the season, will be eligible to be reactivated at a later time.
- A “major injury” is defined as an injury that renders the player unable to practice or play football for at least six weeks (42 calendar days) from the date of injury.
- Each team may reactivate only one player placed on Reserve/Injured after 4 p.m., New York time, on Tuesday, Sept. 4. That player must be “designated for return” at the time the club places him on Reserve/Injured, and such designation shall appear on that day’s Personnel Notice.
- Such player is eligible to return to practice if he has been on Reserve/Injured for at least six weeks from the date he is placed on Reserve. He is eligible to return to the Active List if he has been on Reserve/Injured for at least eight weeks from the date he is placed on Reserve.
