Which of the following is NOT a factor for determining a player's Credited Season?

The determination of a player's Credited Season in the NFL involves various factors that reflect the player's participation and status within the league during a season. The concept of a Credited Season is crucial as it affects the player's eligibility for benefits and free agency status.

Participation in regular season games is indeed a significant factor in establishing a Credited Season. When a player participates in a game, it demonstrates their active involvement in season play. Typically, a player must participate in a certain percentage of games or make appearances to qualify for a Credited Season.

On the other hand, appearances on the Injury List, the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list status, and being released while injured with pay do not directly count towards the tally of a Credited Season as they imply the player was not actively participating in the game. These conditions signify that the player could not contribute on the field due to injury or similar circumstances, reflecting passive status rather than active play.

Therefore, while participation in regular season games builds a credit towards a player's season count, the other conditions indicated in the question are either statuses or circumstances that prevent a player from earning that credit. This highlights why participation in regular season games is essential for a player's Credited Season, differentiating it from the