The Minnesota Vikings are working to get the roster down to the final 53. In order to do that, they have to find a way to trim the roster from 90 to 53.
In order to do that, there are multiple ways to make it happen. From releasing and trading them to placing them on a multitude of lists, teams can get creative in making it work.
What lists do the Vikings have at their disposal to get down to the 53-man roster? From injured reserve to the physically unable to perform list and non-football injury list, there are plenty to choose from.
Here are the nine lists the Vikings can utilize.
Active PUP list
Players can be placed on the active PUP list on the first day of training camp. Those players count toward the 90-man roster and can be removed at anytime, but not placed back onto the list. If they remain on the list at final cutdown, they will be placed on the reserve/PUP list or the team will released them.
Current players: None
Resere PUP list
Players who end up on this list are out for the first four weeks of the regular season. They are paid their full salary and are unable to practice. Unlike in years prior to the 2022 season, players don’t have to wait six weeks to return. They can return anytime after missing the first four games of the season.
Current players: None
Non football injury list (NFI)
The non-football injury list is a unique one. Essentially, any injury not related to playing football in the NFL can count. Anything from falling off of a bike to an existing injury in college qualifies for this list.
The difference here is that a player is not entitled to receive his full salary and it can be negotiated. Buffalo Bills running back Nyheim Hines is dealing with that exact situation after being hit by a jetski.
Current players: OG Chris Reed, WR Malik Knowles
Injured reserve
Injured reserve is simple. If you are placed on injured reserve before final cuts are made, you are out for the season and cannot return.
However, if you are placed on injured reserve after the first waivers run, you are out a minimum of four games. You can be designated to return twice per season. This process is relatively new, as the old process forced the player to sit out at least eight games.
Current players: ILB William Kwenkeu, DE James Lynch
Other lists
- Reserve/Suspended: for players who are suspended
- Reserve/Retired: for players who are under contract, but have filed retirement papers
- Reserve/Did not report: for players who do not show up to training camp, but haven’t filed retirement papers
- Reserve/Military: for players who have to complete military service while under contract
- Reserve/Commissioner exempt list: for players who have extreme circumstances, like Adrian Peterson
