Are players who have a Non-Football Injury (NFI) before the preseason physical guaranteed their salary?

In cases where players suffer a Non-Football Injury (NFI) prior to their preseason physical, their salary is not guaranteed and remains at the team's discretion. This policy stems from the NFL's regulations that differentiate between injuries sustained on the field and those incurred outside of football-related activities.

When a player is placed on the NFI list, the team has the ability to decide how to handle the financial implications, including whether to continue paying the player’s salary or not. This discretion is rooted in the fundamental premise that salaries are primarily guaranteed for injuries that occur during the course of contractually obligated participation in football activities, rather than injuries that are deemed unrelated to the sport.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of NFL contracts concerning NFI. It is not a blanket guarantee for full salary, nor restricted solely to veteran players or limited to a specific game. Understanding these details is crucial for agents and players, as it affects contract negotiations and expectations about financial support during recovery from such injuries.