injured reserve

American  

[in-jerd ri-zurv] / ˈɪn dʒərd rɪˈzɜrv /

noun

Football, Ice Hockey.

1. the list to which a player’s name is formally added for a designated number of days when the player is injured or ill, during which time the team can replace the player on its roster. IR

---

Etymology

Origin of injured reserve

First recorded in 1920–25 for officers in the armed forces; cf. injured list ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

injured reserve

They also placed offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost on injured reserve, along with quarterback Matthew Caldwell.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

If he did, he’d spend his entire season on injured reserve.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 3, 2026

All told, the Niners lost more than $95 million of production during the season to players on injured reserve, according to the salary tracking website Over the Cap.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 14, 2026

The 11th-year pro has been on injured reserve since mid-November.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2026

There was a touch of injured reserve in the boy's voice which the man was quick to perceive.

From Just David by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter