David Chao, MD
2 min read • July 27, 2023
Posted in
At the start of every NFL training camp, the PUP (physically unable to perform) list becomes an important benchmark for players recovering from significant injuries or offseason surgeries.
Here our panel of doctors will provide analysis on its significance and how much you should track whether a player is on the PUP list or not.
A player’s placement on the PUP can signify several things, but the most likely factor is that he did not pass his entry physical at training camp. Passing a physical is not black and white, thus a player could pass a physical with one doctor while another may have caution about his continuing recovery.
A player not landing on PUP at the start of training camp does not mean he is 100% recovered. It could simply mean that the doctor trusts the team’s plan to manage the players reps and he cannot do any new damage or prolong his recovery by practicing.
A good example of this is 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. He is not on the PUP list to start training camp, but the team is only allowing him to throw two of every three days while he recovers from offseason surgery to repair the UCL in his throwing elbow.
QB Kyler Murray
EDGE Von Miller
G Austin Corbett
DT John Penisini
DT Jalen Redmond
OT Devin Cochran
OT La’el Collins
TE Mitchell Wilcox
CB Jourdan Lewis
WR Kendall Hinton
EDGE Baron Browning
CB Emmanuel Moseley
WR Jeff Cotton
CB Eric Stokes
T Dylan Deatherage
T Charlie Heck
TE Teagan Quitoriano
EDGE Chase Winfield
RB Jonathan Taylor
TE Will Mallory
G Ben Bartch
EDGE Dawuane Smoot
WR Jalen Guyton
DL Austin Johnson
DL Otito Ogbonnia
TE Hunter Long
T Warren McClendon
TE Tanner Conner
CB Nik Needham
G Mike Onwenu
S Cody Davis
WR Wan’Dale Robinson
WR Sterling Shepard
DT D.J. Davidson
CB Aaron Robinson
S Jarrick Bernard-Converse
CB Darrell Luter Jr.
DT Austin Faoliu
DT Bryan Mone
OT Dillon Radunz
CB Caleb Farley
S Xavier Henderson
Written by David Chao, MD
