The Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list is a roster designation used in the National Football League (NFL) for players who suffered injuries during football-related activities prior to the start of training camp. Players on the PUP list may participate in team meetings and use team training and medical facilities, but cannot practice with their team. There are two separate PUP lists: an active PUP list used prior to the start of the regular season, and a reserve PUP list used during the regular season.
-
Active/PUP list: Players who, as a result of football-related injuries, are unable to take part in training camp practices may be assigned to the active/PUP list at the start of camp. Players can be moved off the PUP list to the active roster at any time prior to the start of the regular season, even after one practice. A player cannot be placed on the PUP list, however, once he has taken the field for a practice or game.
-
Reserve/PUP list: If a player is still on the active/PUP list when rosters are cut to 53 players, he must be placed on the reserve/PUP list. Players on this list must sit out the first six weeks of the regular season, but do not count against the teams 53-man roster limit. After the sixth week, the team has a five-week window to activate the player to the active roster. If the player is not activated within that window, he must remain on the reserve/PUP list for the remainder of the season.
The PUP list is used for players who were injured before training camp began. When a player is placed on the PUP list at the start of training camp, he is put on the active/PUP list. He counts against the team’s 90-man roster and can participate in meetings but is not allowed to practice. If the player practices — even once — during training camp, he must leave the PUP list.
