As the͏ NF͏L’͏s͏ regular season looms, today marks ͏one of ͏the most crucial dates on the calendar. It is the 53-man roster deadline. By 4 PM ET, all 3͏2 teams must trim their rosters down to 53 players, a task that involves tough͏ decisions, strategic͏ moves,͏ and ͏a whirlwind of emotions.

In past seasons, placing a player on injured reserve before the season meant saying goodbye to them for the entire year. Alternatively, teams had to hold their breath and wait until after the roster cutdown to make those players eligible for a return. This was a tough spot for teams, balancing the need to secure their roster against the risk of losing a key player for the entire season. But in 2024, things have changed.

The injury reserve rule: NFL’s 53-man roster deadline

This year, the NFL introduced a significant tweak to how teams can handle injured players. Now, teams can place up to two players on injury reserve with the chance to bring them back after just four games. As NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero noted, “Teams can now breathe a bit easier, knowing they have the option to bring back key players during the season.”

At the 53-man roster deadline, teams must trim their rosters down to 53 players only. Players with four or more years of experience are outright released, becoming free agents immediately. Those with less experience are subject to waivers, allowing other teams to claim them based on waiver priority. If unclaimed, they become free agents.

Trading players can also impact roster decisions. Teams may trade players for draft picks or negotiate new contracts, affecting salary cap space. Players traded retain their contracts with their new teams, with the original team absorbing any remaining dead money.

After the cutdown, the waiver period is short. Teams then form practice squads, which can include up to 16 players or 17 if an International Pathway Program player is included. Teams may also place players on Reserve/Injured or Reserve/PUP lists, affecting their roster spots and salary cap considerations.

While today’s 53-man rosters might seem set in stone, there’s still plenty of action to come. After the deadline, the waiver wire will be buzzing as teams look to scoop up talent let go by others. Plus, with practice squads and final roster tweaks, decisions are just the beginning. The new IR rule gives teams vital flexibility, enhancing strategy and injury management without sacrificing roster depth.

How will this rule impact teams?

This rule is going to prove as a game-changer that could significantly impact how NFL teams shape their rosters.

For teams like the Minnesota Vikings, this rule opens up a lot of possibilities. With 91 players currently on their roster, including International Player Sammis Reyes, the Vikings face some tough decisions. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy found himself on the wrong side of timing earlier in the preseason. Had the Vikings held off on placing him on IR, they could have designated him for return later in the year. Now, though, they might take advantage of the new rule with players like UDFA edge defender Gabriel Murphy, who impressed early in camp but has been sidelined with an injury.

The Dallas Cowboys are also looking at this rule as a potential lifesaver. Chuma Edoga, who dislocated a toe in their preseason opener, might benefit from this new IR flexibility. Instead of using a key roster spot, the Cowboys can stash him on IR and potentially bring him back later, keeping rookie Tyler Guyton’s backup spot secure.

Over in San Francisco, the 49ers are another team closely watching how this rule could play out. With key defensive ends Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos both nursing knee injuries, the 49ers are facing a roster puzzle. Gross-Matos is expected to be out longer, but with the new IR rule, San Francisco might be able to bring him back when he’s ready, without sacrificing depth on their defensive line. As head coach Kyle Shanahan put it, “You’ll see when we decide on the 53,” keeping fans guessing on how they’ll navigate these injuries.

Even the Detroit Lions are in a similar boat. They’re eyeing this rule to help them manage injuries to players like John Cominsky and Emmanuel Moseley. The Lions need to maintain depth while also being strategic about who goes on IR. The Kansas City Chiefs will also have to cut down their 90-man roster to 53 players.

The Indianapolis Colts must trim their roster to 53 players by Tuesday at 4 p.m., down from the 91 they started with in late July. Due to injuries, defensive lineman Samson Ebukam and tight end Jelani Woods will probably join injured reserve. Centers Wesley French, Ryan Coll, and safety Daniel Scott are also to join along with them.

Clearly͏ this new NFL rule will be giving a flexibility to retain key players without committing to͏ their spots permanently. ͏For players,͏ it’s a lifeline—a chance to stay in the game and make a comeback͏ later ͏in the season. As the cutdown deadline looms, i͏t’s clear that this rule will ͏play a pivotal role in͏ ͏how teams bu͏ild͏ their rosters for ͏the gruelling season ahead.