This offseason brought a change in how teams could construct their 53-man rosters while retaining flexibility with injured players. Clubs were permitted to attach return designations to two players (in total) placed on IR or an NFI list before setting their initial rosters.
In prior years, anyone placed on IR before a team set its initial 53-man roster could not be activated in-season. All August 27 IR- or NFI-return designations, however, already count against teams’ regular-season limit of eight. This introduces more strategy for teams, who will be tasked with determining which players injured in-season will factor into activation puzzles as the year progresses.
All players designated for return on August 27 were eligible to be activated beginning in Week 5, though any player placed on IR after a team set its initial 53 has not been designated for return and therefore does not yet count toward a club’s eight-activation limit. Players who receive return designations after Week 5 also appear on this list.
This offseason also brought a second adjustment, with teams who qualify for the playoffs set to have two additional activations at their disposals. On that note, here is how teams’ activation puzzles look going into Week 18:
Arizona Cardinals
Designated for return:
- K Matt Prater (Dec. 18)
Reverted to season-ending IR:
- CB Elijah Jones
Activated:
- OL Christian Jones (Week 8)
- DL Darius Robinson (Week 9)
- RT Jonah Williams (Week 12)
Activations remaining: 5
Atlanta Falcons
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- OLB Lorenzo Carter (Week 11)
- C Drew Dalman (Week 11)
- LB Nathan Landman (Week 6)
- DT Ruke Orhorhoro (Week 14)
Activations remaining: 3
Baltimore Ravens
Designated for return:
- TE Charlie Kolar (Dec. 30)
Eligible for activation:
- WR Deonte Harty (story)
- CB Arthur Maulet
Activated:
- RB Rasheen Ali (Week 7)
- CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (Week 8)
- CB Arthur Maulet (Week 8)
- DT Michael Pierce (Week 15)
- CB T.J. Tampa (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 3
Buffalo Bills
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
- RB Darrynton Evans (released Oct. 29)
Activated
- DT DeWayne Carter (Week 14)
- OL Tylan Grable (Week 16)
- LB Matt Milano (Week 13)
- DE Dawuane Smoot (Week 15)
- LB Baylon Spector (Week 15)
Activations remaining: 2
Carolina Panthers
Activated:
- DT Jaden Crumedy (Week 10)
- S Sam Franklin (Week 8)
- S Jordan Fuller (Week 10)
- CB Dane Jackson (Week 7)
- RB Miles Sanders (Week 18)
- S Nick Scott (Week 15)
- WR Adam Thielen (Week 11)
- TE Ian Thomas (Week 6; later placed back on IR)
Activations remaining: 0
Chicago Bears
Eligible for activation:
- S Jaquan Brisker (story)
- TE Stephen Carlson
- CB Jaylon Jones
- OL Bill Murray
- LS Patrick Scales (story)
Activated:
- OL Ryan Bates (Week 10)
- OL Larry Borom (Week 9)
- RB Travis Homer (Week 8)
- DE Jacob Martin (Week 8)
Activations remaining: 4
Cincinnati Bengals
Eligible for activation:
- K Evan McPherson (story)
Activated:
- DT McKinnley Jackson (Week 5)
- DE Myles Murphy (Week 5)
- P Brad Robbins (Week 5)
Activations remaining: 5
Cleveland Browns
Eligible for activation:
- WR David Bell
- CB Tony Brown
- LB Tony Fields
- T James Hudson (likely out for season)
- LS Charley Hughlett
- DT Maurice Hurst Jr. (story)
- LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (story)
- TE Geoff Swaim
- LT Jedrick Wills (story)
Reverted to season-ending IR:
- RB Nyheim Hines (story)
Activated:
- LB Mohamoud Diabate (Week 6)
- G Michael Dunn (Week 6)
- DT Michael Hall (Week 15)
- CB Myles Harden (Week 15)
- DT Maurice Hurst (Week 6)
- G Wyatt Teller (Week 8)
- S Juan Thornhill (Week 7)
Activations remaining: 1
Dallas Cowboys
Eligible for activation:
- S Markquese Bell
- DB Caelen Carson
- DE DeMarcus Lawrence (story)
Activated:
- CB DaRon Bland (Week 9)
- WR Brandin Cooks (Week 13)
- OL Chuma Edoga (Week 12)
- DE Marshawn Kneeland (Week 12)
- CB Amani Oruwariye (Week 14)
- OL Asim Richards (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 2
Denver Broncos
Designated for return:
- RB Tyler Badie (Dec. 24)
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Activated:
- OLB Baron Browning (Week 7)
- RB Audric Estime (Week 6)
- CB Damarri Mathis (Week 7)
- T Mike McGlinchey (Week 7)
- C Luke Wattenberg (Week 10)
Activations remaining: 3
Detroit Lions
Eligible for activation:
- ILB Derrick Barnes (could miss rest of season)
- DL John Cominsky (return unlikely)
- OLB Aidan Hutchinson (playoff comeback on table)
- CB Ennis Rakestraw (story)
Activated:
- ILB Alex Anzalone (Week 18)
- DT Brodric Martin (Week 12)
- S Ifeatu Melifonwu (Week 11, Week 16)
- CB Emmanuel Moseley (Week 12)
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (Week 17)
- WR Kalif Raymond (Week 18)
Activations remaining: 1
Green Bay Packers
Eligible for activation:
- OL Jordan Morgan (story)
Activated:
- DT Jonathan Ford (Week 8)
- RB MarShawn Lloyd (Week 12; later placed on IR a second time)
- TE Luke Musgrave (Week 16)
Activations remaining: 5
Houston Texans
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- WR Nico Collins (Week 10)
- G Kenyon Green (Week 16)
- LB Christian Harris (Week 15)
- DT Kurt Hinish (Week 7)
- DE Dylan Horton (Week 5)
- DE Jerry Hughes (Week 10)
- CB Jeff Okudah (Week 11)
Activations remaining: 1
Indianapolis Colts
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
- DE Samson Ebukam (story)
Activated:
- CB JuJu Brents (Week 18)
- DT DeForest Buckner (Week 8)
- LB Jaylon Carlies (Week 16)
- C Ryan Kelly (Week 16)
- DL Tyquan Lewis (Week 12)
- LB Cameron McGrone (Week 8)
Activations remaining: 1
Jacksonville Jaguars
Eligible for activation:
- OL Cooper Hughes
Activated:
- CB Tyson Campbell (Week 7)
- WR Devin Duvernay (Week 10)
- LB Foye Oluokun (Week 8)
- RB Keilan Robinson (Week 12)
- S Andrew Wingard (Week 10)
Activations remaining: 3
Kansas City Chiefs
Designated for return:
- WR Mecole Hardman (Jan. 1)
- CB Jaylen Watson (Jan. 3)
Eligible for activation:
- TE Jody Fortson
- WR Skyy Moore (story)
- K Spencer Shrader
Activated:
- WR Marquise Brown (Week 16)
- K Harrison Butker (Week 15)
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Week 7)
- TE Peyton Hendershot (Week 17)
- RB Isiah Pacheco (Week 13)
Activations remaining: 3
Las Vegas Raiders
Eligible for activation:
- CB Jakorian Bennett
- LB Luke Masterson
- DL Christian Wilkins (story)
Activated:
- TE Michael Mayer (Week 11)
- QB Aidan O’Connell (Week 13)
- S Trey Taylor (Week 6)
Activations remaining: 5
Los Angeles Chargers
Activated:
- WR DJ Chark (Week 9)
- LB Junior Colson (Week 14)
- RB J.K. Dobbins (Week 17)
- RB Gus Edwards (Week 10)
- S Alohi Gilman (Week 18)
- TE Hayden Hurst (Week 16)
- CB Deane Leonard (Week 12)
- LB Nick Niemann (Week 6)
Activations remaining: 0
Los Angeles Rams
Eligible for activation:
- S John Johnson (story)
- OL Conor McDermott
- DL Larrell Murchison
- LB Troy Reeder
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Activated:
- OL Steve Avila (Week 10)
- OL Jonah Jackson (Week 10)
- DL Larrell Murchison (Week 5; later placed on IR a second time)
- WR Puka Nacua (Week 8)
- OL Joe Noteboom (Week 10)
- CB Darious Williams (Week 5)
Activations remaining: 1
Miami Dolphins
Eligible for activation:
- OLB Tyus Bowser (story)
- WR Tanner Conner
- CB Cam Smith
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Activated:
- WR River Cracraft (Week 10)
- WR Grant DuBose (Week 15)
- QB Tyler Huntley (Week 13)
- S Patrick McMorris (Week 13)
- CB Cam Smith (Week 7)
- QB Tua Tagovailoa (Week 8)
Activations remaining: 2
Minnesota Vikings
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
- OLB Gabriel Murphy (waived Nov. 27)
Eligible for activation:
- DL Taki Taimani
Activated:
- LS Andrew DePaola (Week 14)
- TE Nick Muse (Week 12)
- LB Ivan Pace (Week 17)
- K Will Reichard (Week 14)
- G Dalton Risner (Week 9)
Activations remaining: 2
New England Patriots
Designated for return:
- LB Curtis Jacobs (Dec. 24)
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- CB Alex Austin (Week 12)
- DL Christian Barmore (Week 11)
- S Marte Mapu (Week 5)
- T Caedan Wallace (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 4
New Orleans Saints
Designated for return:
- WR Chris Olave (Dec. 19)
Eligible for activation:
- WR Bub Means
- G Nick Saldiveri
Activated:
- DB Will Harris (Week 10)
- C Shane Lemieux (Week 10)
- C Erik McCoy (Week 11)
- RB Kendre Miller (Week 6, Week 14)
- LB Nephi Sewell (Week 11)
Activations remaining: 2
New York Giants
Designated for return:
- LB Dyontae Johnson (Dec. 4)
Eligible for activation:
- DL D.J. Davidson
- OLB Azeez Ojulari (story)
- WR Gunner Olszewski
Activated:
- LB Matthew Adams (Week 5)
- K Graham Gano (Week 10)
- OL Austin Schlottmann (Week 17)
- OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (Week 12)
- DL Armon Watts (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 3
New York Jets
Eligible for activation:
- LB Zaire Barnes
- DT Leki Fotu (story)
- LB C.J. Mosley (story)
Activated:
- S Chuck Clark (Week 11)
- DT Leki Fotu (Week 6)
- WR Allen Lazard (Week 14)
- OL Xavier Newman-Johnson (Week 13)
- G Wes Schweitzer (Week 14)
- TE Kenny Yeboah (Week 9)
- K Greg Zuerlein (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 1
Philadelphia Eagles
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
- TE Albert Okwuegbunam (released Nov. 5)
Eligible for activation:
- DT Byron Young
Activated:
- WR Britain Covey (Week 12)
- TE Dallas Goedert (Week 18)
- DE Bryce Huff (Week 17)
- LT Jordan Mailata (Week 11)
- WR Ainias Smith (Week 8)
Activations remaining: 2
Pittsburgh Steelers
Designated for return from IR (August 27):
- OL Dylan Cook (waived Oct. 31)
Designated for return:
- DL Logan Lee (Dec. 31)
- WR Roman Wilson (Dec. 31)
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- DT Montravius Adams (Week 15)
- LB Tyler Matakevich (Week 10)
- OLB Jeremiah Moon (Week 5)
- WR Ben Skowronek (Week 10)
- DB Cory Trice (Week 14)
Activations remaining: 2
San Francisco 49ers
Eligible for activation:
- CB Darrell Luter
- RB Jordan Mason (story)
- S George Odum (story)
- P Mitch Wishnowsky (story)
Reverted to season-ending IR:
- OL Jon Feliciano (story)
Activated:
- LB Tatum Bethune (Week 17)
- DL Kalia Davis (Week 5)
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Week 11)
- S Talanoa Hufanga (Week 14)
- RB Christian McCaffrey (Week 10)
- WR Ricky Pearsall (Week 7)
Activations remaining: 2
Seattle Seahawks
Eligible for activation:
- G Anthony Bradford (story)
- T George Fant (story)
- DL Cameron Young
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Activated:
- CB Artie Burns (Week 15)
- T George Fant (Week 9; later placed on IR a second time)
- T Stone Forsythe (Week 16)
- S Rayshawn Jenkins (Week 12)
- OLB Uchenna Nwosu (Week 14)
- S Jerrick Reed II (Week 8)
Activations remaining: 2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Eligible for activation:
- LB SirVocea Dennis (out for regular season)
- CB Bryce Hall (story)
- CB Troy Hill (story)
Reverted to season-ending IR:
Activated:
- DE Earnest Brown IV (Week 7)
- CB Jamel Dean (Week 12)
- LS Evan Deckers (Week 10)
- WR Rakim Jarrett (Week 8)
- WR Kameron Johnson (Week 17)
- S Jordan Whitehead (Week 17)
Activations remaining: 2
Tennessee Titans
Designated for return:
- WR Colton Dowell (Dec. 16)
Eligible for activation:
Activated:
- CB Chidobe Awuzie (Week 14)
- T Jaelyn Duncan (Week 17)
- LB Cedric Gray (Week 9)
Activations remaining: 5
Washington Commanders
Eligible for activation:
- K Austin Seibert (story)
- TE Colson Yankoff
Activated:
- DT Jonathan Allen (Week 17)
- WR Jamison Crowder (Week 15)
- RB Austin Ekeler (Week 18)
- DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (Week 12)
- LB Jordan Magee (Week 8)
- QB Marcus Mariota (Week 5)
Activations remaining: 2
Im still not understanding Daryton Evans on IR.
This was at best a practice squad RB, we already have 3 rbs, PLUS a fullback on the roster.
Ive heard speculation he could be a returner. That makes less sense when you consider how thin WR is.
But then why the trade for Codrington?
Idk. Im just a dumb old guy.
Unless you’re a fugitive from the law, you can never have too many trackers 🙂
I hate to complain about the trackers that are provided by the staff but the formatting is not good. Eligibles could be in one column, activateds in another. Perhaps that won’t work for the app users but this is an unnecessarily long scroll for those using laptops.
steelers looking good, 2-0 to start their rough schedule ahead