NFL's Designated For Return Players

SI Staff | Oct 26, 2012

NFL's Designated For Return Players /

NFL's Designated For Return Players

Thanks to a new NFL rule that went into effect this season, teams can now designate one player to return to the roster from what amounts to an injured reserve list. Here's a look at the players who have been tagged so far, beginning with Benson. The Green Bay running back was placed on the Designated for Return list on Oct. 10 with a foot injury, meaning that he will be unable to play until at least Week 14.

The Ravens linebacker had surgery on his right triceps on Oct. 17, a procedure that takes four to six months to recover from. It's unlikely he'll return this season, even if Baltimore makes Super Bowl XLVII, which will be held on Feb. 3. But he's so well thought of by the Ravens that they made what amounts to a symbolic gesture anyway.

A severe turf toe injury forced running back Beanie Wells to the sidelines on Sept. 23. Now on the designated-to-return list, Wells can be back to play in his team's game against the Rams on Nov. 25. Wells has since said he was upset after having been placed on IR and is bored, since he is not yet allowed to practice with the team.

After being placed on IR on Sept. 5, tight end Visanthe Shiancoe has yet to play in a game this season. He returned to practice on Oct. 23 and can make his Patriots debut in Week 10 against the Bills.

The Lions put cornerback Drayton Florence on the designated-for-return list on Sept. 19 after he broke his arm.

Offensive lineman Scott Wells injured his foot during the Rams' season opener. Head coach Jeff Fisher said on Oct. 23 that Wells' condition has improved but that Wells is still not ready to return to practice.

Cornerback Ron Bartell broke his scapula on Sept. 10 but is expected to return to practice after Oakland faces Kansas City on Oct. 28.

Brown broke his ankle on Aug. 18 but is expected to return to practice soon.

Rookie right guard David DeCastro had surgery on his right knee during preseason. Head coach Mike Tomlin said DeCastro might return to practice in Week 9.

The rookie cornerback returned to practice on Oct. 17 and will be eligible to play in Buffalo's Week 9 visit to Houston. He had been placed on IR Sept. 4 with a foot injury that required surgery.

After cornerback Anthony Gaitor was put on the Designated for Return list on Oct. 9, Jacob Cutrera was called up from the practice squad to the 53-man roster.

Wide receiver Jordan Norwood had a career-best nine catches on Oct. 7 but also sprained his foot during the game. He was named the Browns' designated-for-return player on Oct. 12.

The Bengals center suffered a high ankle sprain on Aug. 23. Cook is eligible to play Nov. 4, but since he has yet to return to practice he has to wait a bit longer before making his return.

Breaking his arm was not enough to keep long snapper Nick Sundberg out of the Redskins' Sept. 9 game, but it was enough to put him on the designated-to-return list for at least eight weeks.

Guard Seth Olsen was put on the designated-to-return list on Oct. 8 after suffering a knee injury.

The Minnesota Vikings became the 16th team in the NFL to use the new IR designated-for-return rule when they put cornerback Chris Cook on IR on Oct. 26. Cook, who broke his right arm on Oct. 25 against the Bucs, will be out for at least the next eight weeks. Coach Leslie Frazier said that Cook would only be back in action if the Vikings make the playoffs.

Published Oct 26, 2012

SI STAFF