As of this past week, NFL teams had placed 170 players on injured reserve -- 38 more than in any recent season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. The 170 players on IR doesn't include the 11 other players such as Baltimore Ravens tight end Dennis Pitta or Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins who were placed on injured reserve with a designation to return later this season, meaning there are 181 on some form of IR. Last season there were 142 players on injured reserve at this time of the year, also more than any other year. Some around the league blame the increase of injuries on the fact that, under the terms of the CBA that has been in effect the past two offseasons, players have more off time in the offseason, then shock their bodies with some of the sudden and dramatic movements players demand their bodies to make. An NFLPA official said that was an unscientific conclusion and believes the increased numbers of players on injured reserve is the result of teams being more cautious with injured players. Source: The Redzone
The lax offseason rules are the issue. Being lazy and then jumping into it doesn't work. It's not baseball, it's much more demanding.
