One of the more complicated processes when it comes to NFL roster cuts is the maneuvering of injured players. There is a litany of rules and regulations, and they seem to change every single year. And with the 2025 Detroit Lions entering the final day of roster cuts with a total of 11 players on an injury list (and a couple more dealing with injuries without designation), it’s important to understand what each list means, each player’s eligibility to return, and what it means for finalizing a 53-man roster.

So here’s what it means to be on injured reserve (IR), physically unable to perform (PUP), or the non-football injury (NFI) list.

What does injured reserve mean?

A player who is placed on injured reserve before roster cutdowns is out for the season. They are not eligible to return to

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