IR list) is a designation used in North American professional sports leagues for athletes who suffer injuries and become unable to play.
The player on IR may not return to active play for seven days, although they may participate in non-competitive events such as practice, meetings, etc.
Generally, these players may not practice or return to the active roster for the rest of the season (including postseason games or the Pro Bowl) in which they are placed on injured reserve but are allowed to be with the team.
[2] Starting in 2012 the NFL and the NFLPA reached an agreement allowing one player placed on injured reserve to be brought back to the active roster.
Players on the PUP list can be moved to the active roster after week 6 of the regular season or placed on injured reserve.
As of 2018[update], players on the NFI lists can begin practicing after week 6 but cannot be activated until their team has played eight games.
When a player from the NFI list begins practicing, a three-week window starts in which they are eligible to be moved to the active roster.
This notably affected the Seattle Storm going into that season, when reigning league MVP Breanna Stewart tore her right Achilles in the 2019 EuroLeague Women final.