A question about IR, Practice Squad and options

by MikeDB on Aug 31, 2010 4:17 PM CDT

IF a player like Starks, Porter, Crabtree is placed on the IR, how much can they participate in team activities? Can they do any practicing? Can they train at team facilities? Can they attend team meetings, etc? If they can't do anything football related, then it seems like a real detriment to a young player's development.

Could a player like Giacomini, who has been around a couple years but has really not played be put on the practice squad? Do players get much chance to progress football-wise on the practice squad?

I'm thinking mostly of Starks. He can't make the 53-man roster at this stage. A year on IR would do him also no good. Could he do something like play in Europe for a year and the Packers would still have first rights to him next year?

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Right now Starks is on the PUP

So he’s in the same boat as Harris and Bigby. I think someone making the roster moves hopes that Starks can heal up and still contribute this year, hens the PUP instead of IR.

As for guys participating when they are on IR, I’m not exactly sure on that one. I know that they have access and aren’t banned (like someone suspended like Jolly), but essentially they are like ghosts. Since they are not there for the year they don’t really participate in meetings and don’t get the same treatment as active players.

by PackApologist on Aug 31, 2010 11:01 PM CDT reply actions

Practice squad and IR

Being eligible for the practice squad depends on whether a player was ever active for 6 or more during one season (sort of). So last year Brohm and Lumpkin were on the practice squad though they were on the team for all of 2008 (Lumpkin wasn’t active because he was on IR and Brohm was always inactive as the 3rd QB). I would actually think Giacomini is still eligible for the practice squad but I don’t know exactly how many games he’s been active for in his career.

As for IR, I believe the player can still be in team meetings. An injured player should certainly be able to work out and rehab at their facility and with the team’s trainers. But they certainly can’t practice, and it was one of the things the Patriots got into trouble with a couple years ago.

So the good news for Starks is that he should be able to practice with the team later this season, if he’s healthy. But he won’t be able to for the first six weeks.

by Brandon on Aug 31, 2010 11:46 PM CDT reply actions

Why wouldn't teams just put everyone on PUP?

Rather than just on IR? I suppose some guys can’t be put on the PUP cause they weren’t on the pre-season version the whole time, right?

by TrevorR on Sep 1, 2010 7:11 AM CDT reply actions

participation

Players on IR or PUP are not allowed to practice in any way w/ the team. They have to work out seperate from the team… They are allowed complete access to the facilities and training staff. As for team meetings, its my understanding that they can attend team/positional meetiing, although I’m not totally certain. Being on the PUP at least allows them time to get healthy and ready to contribute shortly after coming off PUP, but not being able to practice does have a detrimental effect on their development. IR especially, its a reason that Harrell is unlikely to develop much any more… He’s missed 3 full seasons of OTA’s, minicamps, and training camps. That time lost is difficult to overcome to realize your potential…

by Strohman on Sep 1, 2010 12:34 PM CDT reply actions