What year does the extended injury protection benefit apply to following an injury?

The extended injury protection benefit is designed to provide financial support to players who suffer injuries that could affect their ability to play. More specifically, this benefit applies during the second year following an injury. The rationale behind this timing is to ensure that players who are still dealing with the repercussions of their injury are supported as they attempt to recover and potentially return to the field.

This benefit is particularly crucial because injuries in professional sports can often have long-lasting effects, making it challenging for players to perform at their previous levels, or even return to play at all. Therefore, the second year, when a player's recovery and ability to return might still be uncertain, is an important time for the provision of extended injury protection.

While some might think other years, such as the first or third, are eligible, the explicit focus of this benefit is on the second year, reflecting an understanding of the challenges that athletes face during their recovery process. The provision does not apply upon retirement, as it is aimed specifically at supporting players who are still active within that recovery timeframe post-injury.