NFL

What is the NFL’s new injured reserve rule and how could it benefit the Dallas Cowboys?

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3m ago

Aug 16, 2024 / 1285 Views

Evan Walker

The Dallas Cowboys veteran offensive tackle Chuma Edoga left their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams with a walking boot. It turns out he’s dislocated a toe and will miss some time into the start of the regular season.

Told Chuma Edoga is dealing with a dislocated left big toe as well as other damage to the joint. No surgery required but looking at a prolonged recovery/rehab process that will cause him to miss a number of regular season Games.
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 13, 2024

Edoga was already likely to fall behind rookie Tyler Guyton on the depth chart, but the Cowboys were still counting on him being Guyton’s backup on the roster. Fortunately, the NFL’s new Injured Reserve rule may work out in their favor.

What is the NFL’s new Injured Reserve rule?

The NFL’s old Injured Reserve rule stated that in order for a player to return from IR, he had to have been on the 53-man roster for at least one day. If they went on IR before the season started, they would be considered out for the entire season. That is no longer the case, as the league enacted a significant amendment to the rule earlier this offseason.

“By ComPetition Committee; amends Article XVII, Section 17.16(C), to permit each club to place a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List on the Business day of the final roster reduction to be designated for return. Such players will immediately count as two of the club’s total designations.”

Now, NFL teams can place up to two players designated to return on IR on cutdown day. This means that the Cowboys could place Edoga on IR during cutdown day, but not at any point before that day. If they were to put him on the IR before that point, he would be out for the entirety of the regular season.

Teams are allowed to bring back up to eight players from IR during the season. Using the new rule for Edoga will use up at least one of those players now.

Putting Edoga on the IR on cutdown day will mean he will miss at least four games of the regular season, but at least he’d be eligible to return after that point, allowing him to remain a part of the depth chart which now includes only Asim Richards, Earl Bostick Jr., and Matt Waletzko behind the starters.