Fantasy football is a great way to get involved with the sport of football without having to jump through the same hoops as real-life players. In fantasy football, you are the owner, coach and general manager of your own team. You draft players and make decisions on who to start, trade and cut, all with the goal of winning the most games and claiming a fantasy championship. A key part of fantasy football is understanding roster management, which includes how to use the injured reserve (IR) designation.
What Is the Injured Reserve (IR) in Fantasy Football?
In fantasy football, the injured reserve (IR) designation is a way for teams to free up a roster spot by placing a player on the IR who has been injured. The IR designation is a way for teams to replace injured players without having to cut them outright. The IR designation also allows teams to keep players on their roster who may not be able to play for the remainder of the season, but have the potential to come back and contribute in future seasons.
How Does the Injured Reserve Work?
When you place a player on the IR, they are taken off your active roster and replaced with a free agent or another player of your choice. Depending on the league’s rules, the player may remain on your roster for the remainder of the season or until they are activated by you. If the player is placed on the IR before the start of the season, they can be activated at any time during the season.
Players on the IR are ineligible to play until they are activated. Once they are activated, they can be placed back on the active roster and are eligible to play. In most fantasy leagues, the IR designation can be used for any type of injury, including long-term injuries such as ACL tears or broken bones.
What Are the Benefits of Using the Injured Reserve?
The IR designation offers several benefits to fantasy owners. First, it allows teams to free up a roster spot and replace an injured player with a free agent or another player of their choice. This allows teams to remain competitive despite an injury to a key player. Second, it allows teams to keep a player on their roster who may not be able to play for the remainder of the season, but has the potential to come back and contribute in future seasons. Third, it allows teams to protect players from being taken by another team in a waiver wire move.
What Are the Downsides of Using the Injured Reserve?
The main downside of using the IR designation is that it prevents teams from adding new players to the active roster. Players that are placed on the IR must stay on the IR until they are activated, and teams cannot add any new players to their roster until the IR slot is filled. Additionally, teams may be forced to keep a player on the IR for the remainder of the season if their injury does not allow them to return during the season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Injured Reserve (IR) in Fantasy Football?
The IR designation is a way for teams to free up a roster spot by placing a player on the IR who has been injured.
How Does the Injured Reserve Work?
When you place a player on the IR, they are taken off your active roster and replaced with a free agent or another player of your choice. The player may remain on your roster for the remainder of the season or until they are activated by you.
What Are the Benefits of Using the Injured Reserve?
The IR designation offers several benefits to fantasy owners, such as allowing teams to free up a roster spot, to keep a player on their roster who may not be able to play for the remainder of the season, and to protect players from being taken by another team in a waiver wire move.
What Are the Downsides of Using the Injured Reserve?
The main downside of using the IR designation is that it prevents teams from adding new players to the active roster. Additionally, teams may be forced to keep a player on the IR for the remainder of the season if their injury does not allow them to return during the season.
Can a Player on IR Come Back and Play During the Same Season?
Yes, a player on IR can come back and play during the same season if they are placed on the IR before the start of the season and are activated by you at any time during the season.
Can You Trade Players on Injured Reserve?
Yes, you can trade players on injured reserve, although it is not recommended as their value is greatly diminished.
Do Players on the IR Count Against Your Salary Cap?
No, players on the IR do not count against your salary cap as they are not eligible to play until they are activated.
Do You Get Points for Players on the IR?
No, you do not get points for players on the IR as they are not eligible to play until they are activated.
Can a Player on IR Return After the Season?
Yes, a player on IR can return after the season, depending on the terms of their injury.
Can You Drop a Player on IR?
Yes, you can drop a player on IR, although it is not recommended as it may be difficult to replace them with a similarly talented player.
Does the IR Designation Allow Teams to Have More Than 53 Players?
No, the IR designation does not allow teams to have more than 53 players as it simply allows teams to replace an injured player with a free agent or another player of their choice.
Do All Fantasy Football Leagues Have an Injured Reserve?
No, not all fantasy football leagues have an injured reserve. It is up to the league commissioner to decide if the IR designation is included in their league.
Can You Put a Player on Injured Reserve After They Have Been Drafted?
Yes, you can put a player on injured reserve after they have been drafted.
Are Injured Players Eligible for the Fantasy Playoffs?
Yes, injured players are eligible for the fantasy playoffs if they are activated before the playoffs begin.
What Happens to a Player's Points When They Are Put on Injured Reserve?
When a player is put on injured reserve, they do not receive any points for that week as they are not eligible to play until they are activated.
Does the Injured Reserve Designation Put a Player on Waivers?
No, the injured reserve designation does not put a player on waivers, but it does prevent them from being taken by another team in a waiver wire move.