Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
As the 53-man rosters were set across the NFL on Tuesday, several players that didn’t land active roster spots were neither waived nor released. Some were instead placed in short-term injury lists.
“Short-term” is relevant to the alternative season-ending lists, which several New Orleans Saints have already found their way to. But some players will have the door open to them to return during the season.
Here are the four Saints players on short-term injury lists, how they got there and what rules are in place for their return.
Physically Unable To Perform (PUP)
TEs Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau
Both players were eligible for this list because of injuries suffered during last year’s season. Hill went down with a concerning knee injury against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13. Moreau suffered a leg injury, as well, but in the final game of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Both injuries required surgery, and head coach Kellen Moore has remained pragmatic about their potentially lengthy return timelines. Because each of these injuries took place during an NFL game and neither were able to participate in offseason programs, they were eligible for PUP rather than the Injured Reserve or Non-Football Injury/Illness lists.
With the two of them beginning the season on PUP, they must miss at least the first four games of the season. After which, a 21-day practice window can be opened. The player must be activated during that practice window or they revert back to the injury list, ending their season.
Injured Reserve (IR) – Designated to Return
DT John Ridgeway III and OL Barry Wesley
Unlike Hill and Moreau, both Ridgeway and Wesley were able to participate in offseason programs such as OTAs and training camp. However, both are now managing injury following participating in the preseason.
Ridgeway missed the final exhibition game with a pec injury, while Wesley appeared in all three but was hurt during the final contest with an undisclosed injury that landed him on the list.
This designation is different from that of players like offensive linemen Nick Saldiveri, Landon Young and Will Clapp, along with wide receiver Bub Means whose seasons are all done after being placed on preseason IR. Because Ridgeway and Wesley were placed on the list at roster cuts (along with Young) and designated to return (unlike Young), both can get back to the field in 2025.
The rules are the same for them as with the tight ends. Four games must be missed. A 21-day practice window for return can then be arrived anytime after those four games. If the activated player does not return to the active roster during those three weeks, they revert to IR and their season is over.
