Following a rule change in 2022, teams will be able to activate up to eight players from injured reserve. This has reintroduced some strategy into how franchises approach activations, and teams will need to be aware of their activation counts again in 2023.
After a period in which an IR move meant the end of a player’s season, the NFL reintroduced IR-return options in the 2010s. However, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the league to relax IR restrictions in 2020-21. To begin the decade, teams were allowed to use an unlimited number of activations, but roster math is once again a factor.
Players who are placed on injured reserve after cutdown day must miss at least four games. The activation clock begins when a team designates a player for return. Clubs have 21 days from the date of a player’s return to practice to activate that player. If no activation occurs during that window, the player is placed on season-ending IR.
Here are the IR situations for Week 10:
The Arizona Cardinals have been activated.
James Conner, running back (story)
Activation eligibility:
DL L.J. Collier DL Carlos Watkins Active players: 5
Falcons of Atlanta
Activation eligibility:
WR LB Josh Ali Troy Andersen, a second-year defender, is questionable to return this season.
Ravens of Baltimore
Activation eligibility:
Malik Hamm, LB
David Ojabo, OLB (story)
Ar’Darius Washington, CB
Damarion Williams, CB
5 activations remain:
The Buffalo Bills
Activation eligibility:
DT DaQuan Jones is doubtful to return this season.
LB Matt Milano’s return this season is uncertain.
Justin Shorter, Wide Receiver
7 activations remain:
Panthers of Carolina
Return designated:
Jaycee Horn (CB) (Nov. 13)
Ian Thomas (TE) (Nov. 13)
Activated:
(Story of DE Marquis Haynes)
Activation eligibility:
Shaq Thompson, a ninth-year veteran, has not ruled out a return from a broken leg.
6 activations remain:
The Chicago Bears have been activated.
Josh Blackwell, CB, and Equanimeous St. Brown, WR
Return designated:
Khalil Herbert (RB) (Nov. 6)
1 activation remains:
The following Cincinnati Bengals players have been designated for return:
Charlie Jones (WR) (Nov. 8)
8 activations remain:
The Browns of Cleveland
Activation eligibility:
LB Jordan Kunaszyk Activations left: 8
Cowboys of Dallas
Activation eligibility:
Matt Waletzko, OL
7 activations remain:
The Denver Broncos
Activation eligibility:
Alex Palczewski, OL
K’Waun Williams, CB; unlikely to return this season Activations left: 6
The Detroit Lions
Activation eligibility:
FB C.J. Gardner-Johnson S Jason Cabinda; DB aiming for late-season return DE (Story of James Houston)
OL Matt Nelson, a lineman, is questionable for this season.
5 activations remain:
The Green Bay Packers
Activation eligibility:
OL Luke Tenuta Activations left: 8
The Houston Texans have been activated.
Derek Stingley Jr., cornerback (story)
Activation eligibility:
Scruggs, C Juice
3 activations remain:
Colts of Indianapolis
Activation eligibility:
TE Jelani Woods has 8 activations left.
Jacksonville Jaguars have been activated:
Gregory Junior, CB
Activation eligibility:
Cooper Hodges, OL Parker 6 Washington activities remain:
The following Kansas City Chiefs players have been designated for return:
Richie James (WR) (Nov. 1)
Activation eligibility:
OL Prince Tega Wanogho Activations left: 8
Raiders of Las Vegas
Activation eligibility:
Brandon Facyson, cornerback (story)
7 activations remain:
Chargers of Los Angeles
None are eligible for activation.
8 activations remain:
Rams of Los Angeles
Return designated:
Hunter Long (Oct. 25) TE
Activation eligibility:
Bobby Brown, DL (story)
CB Jason Taylor, Jr.
6 activations remain:
Dolphins of Miami
Return designated:
WR River Cracraft (25 October)
De’Von Achane, RB (Nov. 13)
4 activations remain:
Vikings of Minnesota
Return designated:
Justin Jefferson (WR) (Nov. 8)
Activation eligibility:
Nick Mullens (story) at quarterback
6 activations remain:
The New England Patriots
Activation eligibility:
OLB Daniel Ekuale DL Matt Judon is questionable for the rest of the season, as is OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
5 activations remain:
The New Orleans Saints have been activated.
Adam Prentic, FB, has been designated for return:
Justin Jefferson (WR) (Nov. 8)
Activation eligibility:
Nick Mullens (story) at quarterback
6 activations remain:
The New England Patriots
Activation eligibility:
OLB Daniel Ekuale DL Matt Judon is questionable for the rest of the season, as is OL Tyrone Wheatley Jr.
5 activations remain:
The New Orleans Saints have been activated.
Adam Prentice, FB
Activation eligibility:
DE Payton Turner (biography)
6 activations remain:
The following players have been activated by the New York Giants:
Azeez Ojulari (story) OLB
7 activations remain:
The following players have been designated for return by the New York Jets:
Duane Brown, LT (Nov. 2)
Activation eligibility:
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback; team expects late-season return despite Achilles tear TE Kenny Yeboah’s
7 activations remain:
The following Philadelphia Eagles players have been designated for return:
Cam Jurgens, OL (Nov. 1)
Activation eligibility:
S CB Justin Evans; slot defender Avonte Maddox; uncertain to return after torn pec WR Quez Watkins
7 activations remain:
The following Pittsburgh Steelers players have been designated for return:
Anthony McFarland (RB) (Oct. 16)
6 activations remain:
The San Francisco 49ers have designated the following players for return:
DE CB Samuel Womack (Nov. 6) Robert Beal (Nov. 6)
Activation eligibility:
Danny Gray, Wide Receiver
8 activations remain:
Seattle Seahawks have been activated:
Kenny McIntosh, running back, and Dareke Young, wide receiver
Activation eligibility:
DB Abraham Lucas RT Coby Bryant (story)
6 activations remain:
The Buccaneers of Tampa Bay
None are eligible for activation.
7 activations remain:
The Tennessee Titans have designated the following players for return:
Mike Brown, Sr. (Oct. 30)
Activation eligibility:
Julius Chestnut, running back, and Kearis Jackson, wide receiver
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