Woody, here's Google AI's take on why the
NFL's IR rules are so restrictive.
About 2010 or 2011, I researched why NFL IR rules were so iron clad? At that point,
no players could return from IR, so things have gotten much better.
While looking it up, it seems the genesis of the NFL's restrictive IR rules dates back to the
Washington Redskins' glory days with Joe Gibbs at the helm. Latter 1980's into the early 1990's. Pre-salary cap, the already dominant Skins were constantly accused of hoarding talent by "stashing" impressive mid-to-latter round rookies (as well as surprising UFA's) on injured reserve, even if they had non-serious injuries. Some even accused them of "red-shirting" dozens of healthy, young players.
Basically, the Redskins were "abusing the system", according to other NFL teams. Bottom dwelling NFL teams were livid, as these players were not being exposed to waivers. Also, the NFL players association was equally perturbed, as healthy players were asked to sit out their early years, with no guarantee the Redskins would ever reward them with roster spots in subsequent years.
NFL rosters were, I think, 45 men then? NFL came up with a compromise: They expanded rosters to 53 men, but made it clear any player on IR could not play for his team that season.
NFL teams have allowed these healthy IR'd players to ask for their immediate release for quite a while, but few take this route. Current ESPN.com Caste-stooge
Matt Bowen is probably the most notable example of a young, healthy White player that forced his way off IR and profited greatly from it.
But I assume players like
Lan Larison and
Dan Jackson believe they are in a good spot and don't want chance leaving and winding up in some Caste hellhole like Baltimore, Houston, Arizona or Chicago and never being heard from again.
I can understand why NFL teams and the NFLPA wanted "safe guards", but having talented, potentially healthy young talents like Lan Larison and Dan Jackson tethered to IR's is not fair or good business.
