NFL updates IR rules, players required to miss at least 4 games before return

The NFL and NFLPA updated the rules governing the injured reserve and non-football injury/illness list Wednesday.

Players placed on IR must now miss a minimum of four games before they're eligible to return to the active roster, according to a statement obtained by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Additionally, teams will only be given eight opportunities to designate players for return, and a player can only be signaled to return up to twice a season.

Last season, there were no limits on how many times clubs could designate players for return, and players on IR only had to miss three games before being able to rejoin the team.

The league also announced teams will be able to carry up to 16 players on their practice squads, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.