Can I put any injured player on IR?
No. Most platforms only allow players with an official IR designation or an 'Out' injury status, depending on your league's settings.
Injured Reserve
Injured reserve, often called IR, is a roster spot where fantasy teams can stash injured players without using a regular bench slot.
In fantasy football, injured reserve is a special roster slot for players who have been placed on IR by their NFL team, or in some leagues, players designated as out for the week. When a manager moves an injured player to an IR spot, that player no longer takes up one of the normal bench spots, freeing up room to add a healthy replacement.
Rules for IR vary by league platform and settings. Some leagues only allow players officially placed on IR by their NFL club, while others also allow players with an 'Out' or 'Injured Reserve' designation on the weekly injury report. Most leagues require the player to come off IR as soon as he is healthy and activated, so the manager must open a roster spot for him.
IR spots are especially valuable for keeping injured stars during a long recovery, such as a star running back expected to miss half the season. Savvy managers also use IR to hold late-season stashes, betting that a player returns in time for the fantasy playoffs.
Common questions
Does a player on IR count against my roster limit?
No, players in IR slots do not count against your active roster or bench limit, which is what makes those spots so valuable.
What happens when my IR player gets healthy?
You must move him back to your active roster and open up a spot, usually by benching, trading, or dropping another player.
Related terms
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