Preseason strategy?
 

I have always just played my preseason games like normal, holding out any player with any kind of injury and occasionally my older players. I did this mostly for my own internal narrative, but is the wisest decision to actually just hold out every sure starter and only give PT to players who need development? What strategies do you guys typically employ for this part of the season?

I play back-ups and Roster bubble guys, then my starters for the last game.

There's a preseason rust modifier, I play my starters enough to get rid of that and otherwise try not to risk them unless they're young players who need to develop.

I play my starters in game 1 to deal with the rust issue. A few will have rust, but it's a small trade off vs. the injury risk. Playing the starters in week 1 vs. the last game also mitigates the injury risk somewhat. If the player is injured for 3 games or less, he will be healthy for the regular season. However, players hurt in the last game will missed regular season games.

Good answers, all. I'll start doing all of this!

I only play SP with injuries at 70.

Here is what I do.

Games 1 and 2 I deactivate my best players by sorting them based on their overall until I get to the 46 active threshold. Only exceptions are if a player hasn't yet reached their potential or if minimum roster limitations are impacted. I always hope for a significant injury to one of my lower rated but roster required (position leader) players. This way I can stash him on IR and sign a potential prospect or maybe a starter after preseason cuts.

In games 3 and 4 I activate all my best players (deactivate the worst) and turn injuries off because I cant stomach losing a starter to injuries during the preseason.