Bengals Rookie QB A.J. McCarron Placed on NFI List

As part of the team's flurry of moves on Saturday to reduce their maximum roster to 53 players, the Bengals announced that rookie quarterback A.J. McCarron will be placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list. Mccarron, who has been dealing with a shoulder issue, was placed on the team's NFI list when training camp started.

Similar to the rules of Reserve/PUP, since McCarron hasn't practiced yet, he was eligible to remain on NFI until after the sixth week into the regular season. Unfortunately, he's ineligible to play and practice until that point. He'll be able to participate in every other way -- attending meetings, rookie hazing, buying linemen dinner, etc...

NFI is similar to PUP, in that it relates to players being unable to start training camp with a football-related injury. That player has to sit for six weeks, but will serve as a roster exemption. Once the six weeks is up, the team will have three weeks to make a decision before he goes on season-ending NFI -- which is a very real possibility with McCarron. Those choices include IR, release/waive, or promotion to the active 53-man roster.