'Team decision'

Some questions have been directed here about the Patriots listing WR Wes Welker and OLB Mike Vrabel on their injury report this week, with the designation "team decision".

Some emailers wondered if "team decision" meant the players were being disciplined. Others asked if the team was hiding an injury.

Here is an official explanation from the NFL regarding the usage of "team decision" on participation/injury reports:

"Team decision is a designation for practice participation. If a player is limited in practice or does not practice by reason of something other than an injury, that limited practice participation must be designated as team or player decision. For example, many teams rest veteran players during practice, especially later in the season.”