When do injury grievances typically occur?

Injury grievances typically occur at the end of the preseason due to the heightened focus on player health and the implications of injuries on a player's contract and availability for the regular season. During this period, players may be assessing their readiness and fitness level, often leading to disputes over whether an injury suffered during preseason activities should be covered under the terms of their contracts or insurance policies. This timeframe is critical as decisions made regarding injuries during the preseason can directly impact roster decisions and the financial aspects of the player's contract moving into the regular season.

The other times mentioned, such as the start of the season, midway through the season, and during the playoffs, are less common for initiating injury grievances because by those points, the circumstances surrounding the injury might have already been addressed, and players are often more focused on performance and competing rather than on grievance processes.