What does NFI mean in the NFL? Breaking down 2024 roster designations

All 32 NFL teams have reported for training camp for the 2024 NFL season. Hence, players are set to intensify their efforts to be in playing shape.

However, sometimes this increased intensity results in player injuries. Once a player is injured, he'll end up on injured reserve (IR), physically unable to perform (PUP), or with a non-football injury/illness (NFI). Here, we will focus on the NFI.

NFL's NFI list explained

The Non-football Injury/illness (NFI) list comprises players injured outside of football. These players might have sustained the injury while working out in the offseason, engaging in a recreational activity, or perhaps due to a long-term illness not associated with football.

It's common to see rookies recovering from injuries suffered in collegiate football placed on the active/NFI list to begin their professional careers.

Furthermore, if an NFL player stays on the NFI list after the last regular season roster cutdowns, they can be put on the reserve/NFI list and will sit out for a minimum of four games.

Do players on the NFI list count against the roster limit?

No, they don't. The players on the reserve/NFI list do not count against the 53-man regular-season roster limit. The National Football League permits each team to carry 53 players on their active roster throughout the season.

The teams can cut, sign, and trade players to maintain a maximum of 53 players on their roster per week. However, it's important to note that each NFL team has access to players on their practice squad for roster flexibility.

Every practice squad consists of 14 players who can practice and be ready in case they are called up for regular-season action. NFL teams prepare active player rosters and reserve 14 places for practice squad personnel.

As a result, each NFL team can have no more than 67 players on their payroll for the duration of the season.