What is the PUP list and which NFL players are on it?

26 Jul 2017 21:28

Here’s how it works and how it’s different from the NFI list.

Andrew Luck and Dont’a Hightower are two big names who will start NFL training camp on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. But it’s scarier than it sounds. If a player goes on the PUP list during training camp, it doesn’t necessarily mean he won’t be ready to go for the season.

What are the rules for the PUP list?

There are specific rules about when a player can be placed on PUP and when he’s allowed to come off of it.

If a player has practiced during training camp — even for one minute — he’s not eligible for PUP. Players like Luck and Hightower, who started training camp on the PUP, can be removed from the list at any time during the preseason. Once they are, they can get back on the practice field.

The player also has to be a dealing with an NFL-related injury to be placed on the PUP.

What’s the NFI list?

If a player suffered the injury away from the team, or if a rookie is coming off an injury he suffered in his final college season, then he’s not eligible for the PUP list.

Instead, those players go on the Active/Non-Football Injury list. The Broncos placed two rookies on the NFI list this week: tight end Jake Butt, who tore his ACL in Michigan’s Orange Bowl loss last December, and Chad Kelly, who underwent wrist surgery before he was drafted.

The rules on when a player can return from NFI are the same as PUP. But if a player is cleared from the NFI or PUP list, he can’t be placed back on that list after the fact. The team will either have to cut the player or place him on injured reserve.

When should I worry if a player is on the PUP list?

The time for concern is when a player can’t get off the PUP list before the end of the preseason. If he’s still on PUP when the regular season begins, then that player is stuck on there for the first six games. Luck is expected to start Week 1, but if he’s still on the PUP right before the regular season starts, the Colts will be without their quarterback until mid-October.

Teams always have the option of shifting a player from PUP to injured reserve if it looks like he won’t be physically ready within that six-week timeframe.

Who’s on the PUP and NFI lists right now?

Here’s a running list of the players on PUP and NFI lists as training camps start around the league:

Cincinnati Bengals

Jarveon Williams - PUP
Brandon Wilson - NFI

Cleveland Browns

Howard Wilson - PUP

Dallas Cowboys

Richard Ash - PUP
Justin Durant - PUP

Denver Broncos

Jake Butt - NFI
Shaquil Barrett - NFI
Chad Kelly - NFI
Kyle Peko - PUP

Detroit Lions

Armonty Bryant - PUP
Don Carey - PUP
Taylor Decker - PUP
Cyrus Kouandjio - NFI
Sam Martin - NFI
Rolan Milligan - PUP
Corey Robinson - PUP
Teez Tabor - NFI
Jeremiah Valoaga - PUP

Houston Texans

T.J. Daniel - PUP
Joel Heath - NFI
Dayon Pratt - NFI

Indianapolis Colts

Clayton Geathers - PUP
Malik Hooker - PUP
Kendall Langford - PUP
Andrew Luck - PUP
Brian Schwenke - PUP

Jacksonville Jaguars

Aaron Colvin - PUP
Jalen Ramsey - PUP
Marquez Williams - PUP

Kansas City Chiefs

Parker Ehinger - PUP
Chris Jones - PUP
Dadi Nicolas - PUP

Miami Dolphins

Reshad Jones - NFI
Rashawn Scott - PUP
Avery Young - NFI

Minnesota Vikings

Sharrif Floyd - NFI
Latavius Murray - PUP
Shaan Washington - PUP

New England Patriots

Alan Branch - PUP
Dont’a Hightower - PUP
Andrew Jelks - NFI

New Orleans Saints

Terron Armstead - PUP
Senio Kelemete - PUP
Devaroe Lawrence - NFI
Max Unger - PUP

Oakland Raiders

Ben Heeney - NFL
Cooper Helfet - NFI

Pittsburgh Steelers

Sammie Coates (knee scope, candidate for the PUP list)

Philadelphia Eagles

Beau Allen - NFI
Sidney Jones - NFI

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jacquies Smith - PUP

Washington

Houston Bates - PUP
DeAngelo Hall - PUP
Jordan Reed - PUP
Kendal Thompson - PUP