What is included in the salary calculation for an NFL player who has been placed on injured reserve?

The correct answer regarding the salary calculation for an NFL player placed on injured reserve is that the player receives a pro-rated salary based on active weeks. This means that while on injured reserve, players are compensated for the weeks they were active during the season, rather than receiving their entire salary for the full season or only for the weeks they played.

NFL contracts typically guarantee a specific amount during the season, but the rules regarding injured reserve stipulate that the salary is adjusted to reflect the time spent on the active roster. Therefore, a player cannot simply receive their full salary if they are no longer able to participate in games due to injury.

This pro-rated approach recognizes the commitment and contributions of players when they are able to play while also accounting for the fact that they are not contributing on the field when on injured reserve. The calculation effectively balances player protection with the financial realities of team budgets and contracts.