The practice squad is a group of players under contract to a team who practice during the week but are not on the active roster and do not play on Sunday unless promoted.
The Basics
| Size | Up to 16 players |
|---|---|
| Active roster | 53 players, separate from the practice squad |
| Gameday actives | 46 or 48 from the 53, depending on offensive line numbers |
| Pay | A weekly minimum set by the collective bargaining agreement, below active-roster salary |
Who Is Eligible
The squad was originally for players with little NFL experience, and most spots still go to rookies and young players. Rules have loosened to allow a limited number of veterans with more accrued seasons, which gives teams emergency depth at positions where experience matters.
Elevations
A team can elevate practice squad players to the active roster for a given game without formally signing them to the 53. Each player can be elevated a limited number of times per season before the team must sign him properly.
This is how teams cover short-term injuries without cutting anyone.
Other Teams Can Take Them
Practice squad players are not locked in. Any other club can sign one to its active roster at any time, and the original team cannot block it. The new team must keep the player on its 53 for a minimum period.
That is why teams sometimes promote a player they might otherwise have left on the squad: to stop a rival taking him.
Why It Matters
Over a season of attrition, practice squad players become starters. Teams that develop them well can absorb injuries without trading for replacements, which is a real competitive advantage under a hard cap.
Related
How many players on a roster · The salary cap · Roster positions explained
The Bottom Line
Up to 16 players who practice but do not play unless elevated. Other teams can sign them away at any time, which makes the squad less safe than it looks.