Physically unable to perform

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Physically unable to perform (PUP) is an NFL roster term for players who were injured before training camp. Players on the PUP list can attend meetings and use team facilities, but cannot practice with the team.

There are two PUP lists: the active PUP list used before the regular season, and the reserve PUP list used during the regular season.

If a player can’t participate in training camp practices because of a football-related injury, he may be put on the active PUP list at the start of camp. A player can be moved off the PUP list to the active roster at any time before the regular season starts, even after one practice.

A player cannot be put on the PUP list if he has already practiced or played in a game.

If a player finishes the preseason still on the PUP list, he can be moved to the reserve PUP list. Players on the reserve PUP list must sit out the first four weeks of the regular season. After that, teams have five weeks to allow the player to start practicing. Once the player starts practicing, teams have 21 days to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster. If either deadline passes, the player remains on the PUP list for the rest of the season.