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NFL PUP list, Injured Reserve, NFI List rules and the 2014 San Francisco 49ers
By socalisteph
http://www.ninersnation.com/2014/7/18/5914295/nfl-pup-list-rules-injured-reserve-nfi-list-rules-49ers-2014
@SoCaliSteph on Jul 18, 2014, 5:30a 16
Otto Greule JrWith the San Francisco 49ers officially placing players on the Active/PUP and Active/NFI lists, we look at the differences between the Non-Football Injury (NFI), Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) and the Injured Reserve (IR) lists. We see the options the 49ers have available and when we can expect to see players back on the field.
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PinYesterday, the San Francisco 49ers announced several roster movies involving their rookie players. The 49ers placed Bruce Ellington, Marcus Lattimore, Marcus Martin, Trey Millard, Keith Reaser, and Brandon Thomas on the Active/Non-Football Injury (NFI) List, and they placed Aaron Lynch and Kaleb Ramsey on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List. Here is a quick rundown of the injuries involved:
Bruce Ellington – No idea what it is, but Barrows says it is not considered serious
Marcus Lattimore – Knee rehab connected to his college injuries
Marcus Martin – Kneecap injury suffered in November
Trey Millard – ACL injury suffered in college
Keith Reaser – ACL injury suffered in college
Brandon Thomas – ACL injury suffered in collegeAaron Lynch – Hamstring injury suffered during offseason workout program
Kaleb Ramsey – No idea what it isLast year, we provided Niners Nation with the rules regarding the difference between the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform), the Non-Football Injury (NFI) and IR (Injured Reserve) rules, and used examples of 49ers players heading into 2013 training camp.
Considering the 49ers have drafted several players with pre-NFL injuries, had several players sustain injuries last season and because we know injuries are an inherent part of football, it is important to understand what options are available.
The NFL and NFL Players Association have agreed on terms to allow injured athletes to return. However, when a player suffers an injury, the team is given options. We look at the difference between the PUP, NFI and IR lists, and what that means for our injured players.
Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) RulesFirst, under the NFL Rules, there are two classifications of Physically Unable to Perform (PUP). There’s the Active/PUP and the Reserve/PUP. Both PUP classifications are for football-related injuries.
The Active/PUP (Preseason PUP list) allows players who are unable to start training camp the ability to sit out until the medical staff provides clearance. Once they are medically cleared, they’re allowed to practice immediately.
For example, 49ers placed draft picks OLB Aaron Lynch and DL Kaleb Ramsey on the PUP list yesterday. If players begin training camp on the PUP list, which is likely — once the players receive full clearance from the 49ers medical staff, they are eligible to practice. Lynch suffered a hamstring strain in the offseason workout program, while we are unsure of Ramsey’s injury. Since they occurred 49ers football activities, they are “football-related injuries”.
Last year, Kyle Williams and Kendall Hunter were placed on Active/PUP while they were wrapping up their rehab from their respective ACL and Achilles injuries. Williams practiced 5-days later and Hunter practiced 20-days later. This classification, as the name implies, is reserved for the pre-season.
Second, there’s the Reserve/PUP (regular season PUP list). Any player starting on the Active PUP list (and has not practiced) with the team becomes eligible for the Reserve/PUP at the end of training camp. Once a player practices during training camp, all PUP list options are off the table. This is important to note. Both Lynch and Ramsey could be cleared within a day or two of the start of training camp, but starting them on the PUP list leaves it on the table as an option if there is a setback.
If, during the season, a player sustains injury but practiced at camp, the PUP list is not an option. The team can keep the player on the roster, if they believe he will come back that season. But, the injured player is counted against the 53-man roster.
In the alternative, teams must go straight to the Injured Reserve list or waive the player. So, it means the 49ers are extremely cautious about letting any player practice, no matter how good he looks following an injury. When it comes to classifications, the difference is whether or not a player practices. Allowing a player to practice limits the options of the team. It can tie up roster spots and dollars.
It should be noted, ALL player salaries of a team count in calculating that team’s total salary cap during the season. This includes players that are on Injured Reserve (IR), Physically Unable to Perform (PUP), and the Practice Squad (PS).
If a player started on the Active/PUP list and isn’t medically cleared by the end of the preseason, the 49ers may transfer any Active/PUP player to the Reserve/PUP.
These players are prevented from playing and practicing during the first six weeks of the season. What makes the Reserve PUP advantageous is that any player on the Reserve PUP list does not count against the 53-man roster. If a player isn’t activated after the sixth week, the team has a six-week window (day after Week 6 to day after Week 11) to make a decision to: 1.) place the player on injured reserve; 2.) release the player; or 3.) get him back to practice. As soon as the player returns to practice, the team has another three-week window to add the player back to the 53-man roster, or place them on the Injured Reserve list.
For example, NaVorro Bowman is a good candidate to see the Reserve/PUP this year. It buys the team some time to allow the player to resolve their injuries and protects both the players and the team. Bowman could go twelve weeks into the season before he must be practicing again. The team would then have another three weeks (Week 15) to return him to the 53-man roster (according to the new rules). After that point, they can have him as one of the inactive players on game day, but he would still have to be on the 53-man roster. But, the risk is carrying the player for no more than two weeks.
If Bowman is progressing well, the 49ers could activate him as early as week 7 and as late as week 15. Even though Bowman would occupy a spot on the 53-man roster, the 49ers may see this as the best option available. If he is medically able to return for the playoffs, for example, they may be willing to go a man short for a week or two, just to keep that door open.
Non-Football Injury (NFI) ListThe NFL has a second injury list that is similar to the PUP list, but is based on different timing of injuries. The Non-Football Injury list has rules that closely adhere to those in the Active/PUP and Reserve/PUP, but it is classified differently. The most obvious inclusion would be injuries suffered off the football field (game AND practice fields). If a player gets hurt away from team activities, the team would be eligible to place him on the NFI list.
Last year, as an example, 49ers placed Aldon Smith on the NFI list due to his alcohol rehabilitation. Considering alcoholism is a medical disability, but not one sustained during the course of a game or practice — this is a perfect example of a non-football injury. It is worth noting the team had to receive permission from the NFL to designate Smith on the in-season NFI list.
Additionally, a draft pick who sustained any injuries before being selected by his NFL team can be placed on this list. This covers ANY injury suffered before the draft, including injuries on the football field at the collegiate level. 49ers announced Marcus Lattimore, Bruce Ellington, Marcus Martin, Trey Millard, Keith Reaser, and Brandon Thomas would start on the NFI list.
One notable difference between the NFI and PUP lists is that the team has the right to not pay base salary to a player on the NFI list. The idea is that if a player suffered his injury outside the purview of the team, they should not be responsible for his salary. However, teams will often work out deals with NFI players to pay some or all of their salary when there is a common understanding about the injury. This is particularly true with players who the team knows will go on the NFI list upon arrival to the team.
You may recall that defensive end Tank Carradine was on the NFI list due to a pre-NFL injury. Carradine was activated after Week 8, with the hope he could give the defense needed relief. Unfortunately, that never came to fruition. During the offseason, details emerged Carradine had developed a complication (known as osteoarthritis), which required a second surgery. As an aside, it is good to see Carradine left off these injury lists. Knowing the 49ers used one of their two second round picks (40th overall) in the 2013 NFL draft on Carradine, it helps to know he may be moving past some of his injury history.
Additionally, Jimmie Ward has not yet been placed on the NFI list. He had foot surgery in March, and was limited in the offseason workout program. The fact that he is not included on the NFI list would seem to be a good sign about the progress of his rehab.
Injured Reserve (IR) List, Injured Reserve with Return DesignationIf the team decides to place a player on injured reserve, it must be a major injury. The NFL defines major injury as an injury that renders the player unable to practice or play football for at least six weeks — or 42 calendar days — from the date of injury.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association agreed to a new short-term IR rule change which took effect in 2012. This change allows one player (per team) to be activated from the IR list. Before the enactment of this rule, any player that was placed on the IR list was not eligible to play again for the same team in that season (regular season and postseason).
Last year, the 49ers placed linebacker Nick Moody on the IR/Designated for Return list. By placing him on the list, the team was prohibited from activating him for at least eight weeks following the placement in September. Teams are only allowed one short-term IR move and once it is made, no other designation is possible.
So, while the NFL does not limit the number of players on the PUP or IR, the salary cap sets its own constraints. One of the reasons the salary cap came into effect is the alleged abuse of the IR list to get around the NFL roster limit. High revenue teams, like the Dallas Cowboys, allegedly had the ability to redshirt unlimited young players by claiming they were injured (when they weren’t). Teams could place unlimited players on IR, thereby circumventing the roster limit.
The salary cap effectively curbed the abuse of limitless players on IR. However, another problem was created. As stated previously, those on IR receive full pay for the season (and it’s counted against the cap), but are forbidden to dress again for the entire season. If a team believed the player could return that season, they had to keep the player on the 53-man roster (thereby occupying a precious roster spot). In this scenario, it is anything but a “level playing field” the NFL claims to be providing with these rules. This kind of occurrence is likely why the NFL and NFL Players Association came up with the player designation rule.
The one player selected must be immediately “designated for return” at the time he is placed on the list. That designation must appear on the day’s Personnel Notice. That designated player is eligible to return to practice if he has been on the IR list for at least six weeks from the date he was placed on Reserve. He is eligible to return to the active list if he has been on the IR list for at least eight weeks from the date he is placed on Injured Reserve.
The Reserve/PUP is usually a medical designation available for players injured early in the season. The 49ers have some flexibility. If needed, the 49ers would undoubtedly be willing to use their one designation on Bowman. I believe Bowman has an excellent shot at returning this season, and my belief is the 49ers utilize the Reserve/PUP as they did with Michael Crabtree last season.
Depending on rehabilitation during the season, we may see several injured athletes begin on one of the lists, and if necessary, be transferred to another, including the IR list.
Between now and mid-August, the team will be required to cut from 90 to 75 players. At the beginning stages, most cuts will be done primarily by placing some of these players on the various injured lists. Then, the team will cut down from 75 players to 53. So, correct designations are important and can really make the difference throughout the season.
Perhaps some of these players will not count against the 49ers 53-man roster limit at the beginning of the season, but several could end up on the field at some point later this season. The 53-man roster will evolve and will not be the same 53-man roster down the road. Niners Nation will continue to monitor the injuries and see 49ers utilize the rules to the team’s advantage. It is definitely one of the most skilled teams in this regard.
AgamemnonThe Importance of Planning for the Undrafted Free Agent
Posted on April 27, 2013 by Jason Fitzgeraldhttp://overthecap.com/the-importance-of-planning-for-the-undrafted-free-agent/
As the draft comes to a close, a second type of draft begins which is the chase for the undrafted free agents. The UDFA’s are the players who did not get drafted and now get a chance to choose a situation that suits them best. For the most part their contracts are already made for them- the NFL limits their contracts to 3 year terms and puts a salary cap pool on all undrafted free agents a little bit over $75,000. While teams can exceed that amount they rarely do because then it hurts what they can pay their drafted players. That being said this is a big day where having a good agent shows its worth.
Teams have their own systems in place for UDFAs. Some the like Raiders rarely give bonuses. The Jets value most players at the same bonus value, around $7,000 per player, and give little negotiating room. Others like the Dolphins vary their bonuses from as little as $500 to as much as $10,000 depending on the player. And then there are teams like the Patriots who give a small signing bonus and also guarantee base salary as a way to avoid the $75,000 limitation. Knowing these systems is important to getting the largest guarantee possible.
But there is a lot more importance to planning than just getting an extra $1,000 in the players pocket. The biggest goal for a player is to make a roster and earn their full $405,000 salary. It is much better to have a chance to earn $405,000 and get a $1,000 bonus than not earn $405,000 and get a $10,000 bonus. At the least you want to have a good chance to make the Practice Squad, earning close to $100,000 if you can last a full 17 weeks.
The one benefit to not being drafted is that you get to choose the situation you go to and it is critical to find the situation that suits you the best. In the NFL opportunities are limited and when you have no draft cache at all sometimes one chance is all you get. To maximize your chances you need meaningful preseason time or a spot on a teams Practice Squad which are scouted by the other 31 franchises. Even then there is no guarantee of a second chance.
An agent needs to know a teams roster inside and out. They need to know what positions are not only open this year but what ones may open next year. Teams are already planning for 2014 and you need to take advantage of that. Find a situation where your UDFA might be able to become the plan for 2014. They need to understand team trends with UDFAs and low drafted players. Do they hold onto them or do they routinely cut the players? Does the team often sign UDFAs to the PS or do they usually just keep maintaining their groups of PS eligible players from year to year? What positions did they just draft? To just field a phone call and say “deal” is doing a disservice to the player they represent and themselves.
What might be some good landing spots? Without knowing players available I would think the Raiders are a perfect spot for a player. The Raiders need bodies and have limited players under contract for 2014, the lowest total in the NFL. They are going to look for talent anywhere they can get it and their GM comes from a system where they take as many picks and possible in a draft with the feeling that they can find talent somewhere. The Bears might be another good destination. This is a team undergoing a facelift with a very short window for their current starters. The Jets are clearly in the midst of a massive rebuild and have kept UDFA’s before and often will place such players on their Practice Squad.
This is planning that had to begin in January and will potentially pay off for players today. A lot of work yes, but necessary. And those who did it will be placing their clients in the best possible situations to let them continue their dream of playing in the NFL.
AgamemnonWhat Can La’El Collins Earn as an Undrafted Free Agent
Posted on May 3, 2015 by Jason FitzgeraldWith the draft over, we hit the fast and furious UDFA signing period, which is where La’El Collins now sits. So let’s take a quick look at the rules regarding the signings, specifically in regards to Collins.
Every undrafted rookie is locked into signing a three year contract. The three year contract will contain the minimum Paragraph 5 salary in each year, which will equal payouts of $435,000 in 2015, $525,000 in 2016, and $615,000 in 2017. These are the same numbers as rookies drafted after the 3rd round and many of the players drafted in the third round, so it is not a major loss for Collins of any player who was not projected to be a 2nd round pick.
The UDFA’s are very limited in terms of signing bonus money. I don’t have the final number in front of me but IIRC each team can spend, in total, about $88,000 on all their undrafted rookies. That usually means a large number of players receiving signing bonuses that will not exceed $8,000. So that is a limiting factor for a player who is not drafted. The smallest signing bonus a 7th round pick will receive likely to be about $52,000. So that is a pretty big loss considering for many players the bonus is the only salary they will ever receive.
At the end of the three year contract, every UDFA will be a restricted free agent while a drafted rookie will have a fourth contract year. Teams select from one of three RFA salaries for the UDFA’s. The smallest tender for that year will be $1.785 million. Every drafted rookie (except punters and kickers) is also eligible to see their contracted salary rise to the smallest tender level based on playing time. So if Collins does not have a great career but is ok he will basically trail every drafted rookie that is ok by the signing bonus. However if he excels and earns the 2nd or 1st level tender he will earn at least $2.73 or $3.88 million in the final year. No drafted rookie can do that, so that would allow him to move his overall salary take back into the 2nd round level of the draft.
Every UDFA is extension eligible after just two seasons, so a very good player can get extended much earlier than the draft pick who must play three years. If I was Collins agent and that was a goal of mine I would strongly consider signing with a team like the Bengals, 49ers, Packers, or Patriots among others. These are the teams that typically like to extend talent early if possible and you may get that quicker extension from them if you do play like a first rounder. Similarly teams like the Texans and Giants have already proven they will avoid the RFA process for great talent like Arian Foster or Victor Cruz. Those are the kind of teams you may get that faster value from.
Now there is nothing in the process that prevents a team from guaranteeing large amounts of salary to UDFA. This is how many teams lure a UDFA while complying with the signing bonus rules. It is not uncommon to see a UDFA receive a salary guarantee equal to a Practice Squad salary (slightly over $100,000) and in some cases double that. For Collins that presents an opportunity to attempt to receive a three year guarantee of $1,575,000. That guarantee would be equivalent to a late 2nd rounders guarantee through his signing bonus and salary guarantee.
I doubt a team would be willing to make that investment now, but if Collins waits until the summer to sign they might if his name is cleared. In theory that could also give him time to see how teams depth charts are beginning to shape up and where he will get the most opportunity to play. This is also important because if e starts he would likely be a leader in Performance Based Pay which is based on playing time relative to your cap charge. Last year the league leader received nearly $375,000 in PBP. He would certainly earn more than highly drafted players further shrinking the gap.
So the avenues are there for Collins or any UDFA to make up for losses by not being drafted if they carefully select the team and are quality NFL players. UDFAs are never given the opportunity of a draft pick nor do they usually get the financial security, but they will be rewarded if they prove the NFL scouts wrong for pushing them out of the draft.
http://overthecap.com/what-can-lael-collins-earn-as-an-undrafted-free-agent/ AgamemnonThis thread covers different situations about Gurley and Collins and other stuff (practice squad, etc.).
Agamemnon
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