Injured reserve list facts for kids

The injured reserve list is a special list in sports. Teams use it for players who are hurt and can't play for a while. It helps teams manage their roster when key players are out.

What is the Injured Reserve List?

The injured reserve list, often called "IR," is a way for sports teams to keep track of players who are too injured to play. If a player is placed on IR, it means they can't join their team in games or practices for a set period. This list is mostly used in leagues like the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Football League (NFL).

Why Do Teams Use the Injured Reserve List?

Teams use the IR list for a few important reasons. First, it helps them manage their roster. A roster is the list of all the players on a team. When a player is on IR, the team can often replace them with another player. This means they don't have to play games with fewer players because someone is hurt.

Second, it helps teams with their salary cap. Many sports leagues have rules about how much money teams can spend on player salaries. When a player is on IR, their salary still counts towards the cap. However, sometimes placing a player on IR can give teams more flexibility to sign other players temporarily.

Which Sports Use the Injured Reserve List?

The injured reserve list is a big part of how teams operate in the NFL and NHL.

• In the NFL, if a player goes on IR, they usually have to miss at least four games. Sometimes, a player can return from IR later in the season.
• In the NHL, players on IR must miss at least 10 games and 24 days.

In baseball, there is a similar list. It used to be called the disabled list. Now, it's known as the injured list (IL). Baseball players on the IL must miss at least 10 or 15 days, depending on the injury.

What Happens When a Player is on IR?

When a player is placed on the injured reserve list, they cannot play in games. They also can't practice with the team. However, they usually still get paid their full salary. The team's medical staff will work with the player to help them recover.

Sometimes, players can return from the IR list later in the season if they heal well. This depends on the league's rules and how serious their injury is. Being on IR allows players to focus on getting healthy without pressure to play too soon.