The PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) List is for NFL players who are carrying an injury into the start of the preseason. There’s the active/PUP list and reserve/PUP list. The active list is what we are dealing with right now, before the preseason begins. They can be activated at any time, and will not necessarily miss any regular season games. These players are:
- Allowed to participate in team meetings
- Allowed to receive medical care at the team facility and go through rehab
- Not allowed to practice at all
The reserve/PUP list comes into play when the season is about to begin. This list can only be used for athletes who did not practice at all during the preseason and entered training camp with a football-related injury. When a player is on the reserve/PUP list to start the season they will miss a minimum of FOUR games (last year it was six games) and are not allowed to practice. A player on the PUP list counts against the 90-man roster during the preseason, but they do not count towards the 53-man roster during the regular season. Once the first four weeks have passed, the team can open a 21-day practice window. The athlete technically remains on the PUP list but can participate in practice; they must be activated within the 21 days. If not they will then be placed on IR or released.
Now that you’ve got the full rundown on what the PUP list means, here are the biggest names who are (and aren’t) starting the preseason on the PUP list.
Active/PUP list
*reminder: these players can be activated at any time during the preseason and won’t necessarily miss any games!
Maxx Williams (Cardinals TE) – torn ACL
Deion Jones (Falcons LB) – shoulder surgery
Gus Edwards (Ravens RB) – torn ACL
J.K. Dobbins (Ravens RB) – torn ACL
Ronnie Stanley (Ravens LT) – ankle
Tre’Davious White (Bills CB) – torn ACL
David Bell (Browns WR) – foot
Michael Gallup (Cowboys WR) – torn ACL
Randy Gregory (Broncos DE) – shoulder
Jameson Williams (Lions WR) – torn ACL
David Bakhtiari (Packers T) – torn ACL + complications
Christian Watson (Packers WR) – undisclosed
Darius Leonard (Colts LB) – ankle and back surgeries
Cyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs RB) – undisclosed
James White (Patriots RB) – hip
Michael Thomas (Saints WR) – ankle surgeries
Sterling Shepard (Giants WR) – torn Achilles
C.J. Uzomah (Jets TE) – undisclosed
Mekhi Becton (Jets OT) – knee
Carl Lawson (Jets DE) – torn Achilles
Jason Verrett (49ers CB) – torn ACL
Chase Young (Commanders edge) – torn ACL
Logan Thomas (Commanders TE) – knee
NO PUP list
Chris Godwin (Bucs WR) – torn ACL
James Robinson (Jaguars RB) – torn Achilles
Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers QB) – shoulder surgery
Lavonte David (Bucs LB) – foot
Taysom Hill (Saints QB) – Lisfranc surgery
Jameis Winston (Saints QB) – torn ACL
Jalen Ramsey (Rams CB) – shoulder surgery
Kadarius Toney (Giants WR) – arthroscopic knee surgery
Robert Woods (Titans WR) – torn ACL
Raheem Mostert (Dolphins RB) – knee surgery for torn cartilage
