Which players must be noted as designated for return to play after being placed on IR?

The correct choice emphasizes that players designated for return after being placed on injured reserve (IR) must meet specific criteria. Specifically, players on injured reserve and those placed on the non-football injury list (NFI) who have successfully passed the preseason physical examination can be noted as designated for return to play. This means that they are eligible to return to practice and eventually to the active roster, reflecting a commitment to monitoring their recovery and ensuring they meet health requirements.

In contrast, designating all players for return regardless of their injury status or whether they have passed their physical examination would undermine the intention behind the IR and NFI designations, which is to ensure player health and safety. Furthermore, limiting designations to only those with a history of concussions does not encompass the full range of players affected by other injuries, leading to an unfair bias towards certain types of injuries. Finally, stating that all players can return without designation fails to recognize the structured process in place to manage player injuries and ensure that return to play aligns with their recovery status and readiness.