Injured Reserve: Fantasy Football Guide
What is Injured Reserve?
Injured reserve (IR) is a designation given to players who are unable to play due to injury. In fantasy football, injured players are typically placed on IR until they can return to action.
How does Injured Reserve Affect Fantasy Football?
When a player is placed on injured reserve, they are ineligible to play for a specific number of weeks. This can have a significant impact on fantasy football, as it can leave a team without a valuable player.
There are two types of injured reserve designations:
- Short-term injured reserve (IR): Players placed on short-term injured reserve are eligible to return after missing three games.
- Injured reserve with a designated for return (IR-D/R): Players placed on injured reserve with a designated for return are eligible to return after missing eight games.
How to Handle Injured Reserve in Fantasy Football
If one of your players is placed on injured reserve, there are a few things you can do:
- Drop the player: If the player is expected to be out for an extended period of time, you may want to drop them from your team and pick up a replacement.
- Keep the player on your roster: If the player is expected to return soon, you may want to keep them on your roster and wait for them to return.
- Trade the player: If you have a player who is on injured reserve, you may be able to trade them to another team for a player who is healthy and can contribute to your team.
Conclusion
Injured reserve can be a frustrating part of fantasy football, but it is important to remember that it is a part of the game. By understanding how IR works and how to handle it, you can minimize its impact on your team.