If a player is injured on the first play of the regular season, what salary is he entitled to receive?

When a player is injured during the first play of the regular season, he is entitled to the rookie minimum active/inactive salary. This is because, once the regular season starts, players’ pay structures shift from preseason considerations to regular season regulations. The regular season salary applies as long as the player is on the active roster or is inactive due to injury.

The distinction between preseason and regular season pay is crucial—preseason salaries are typically lower since they cover a different part of the football year when games do not count toward a player's regular season compensation. Since the scenario describes an injury occurring in the regular season, the rookie minimum active/inactive salary becomes applicable.

This ensures that even if the player cannot participate in gameplay due to their injury, they still receive compensation as though they were on the roster, acknowledging their commitment and the circumstances of their injury occurring during official play.