The practice squad is an important part of an NFL franchise.
All 32 teams are bound to encounter injuries throughout a rigorous 17-game season, and the practice squad provides them with replacement options who are already familiar with the system.
Don’t be surprised to see teams promote and sign practice squad players to their active rosters throughout the 2022 season, as they work to fend off injuries and illness.
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With that said, here’s everything you need to know about NFL practice squads for this season.
How many players are on an NFL practice squad?
The NFL increased the size of practice squads to a maximum of 16 players ahead of the 2020 season in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the change stuck.
The league and players association initially agreed to a collective bargaining agreement on March 15, 2020, that originally sought to increase the maximum number to 12 in 2020 and 14 in 2022. Pretty quickly, the NFL realized teams were likely going to need a lot more players to accommodate the revolving door of positive Covid-19 tests and exposures. This proved to be a positive change throughout the league and the 16-player minimum solidified as an addendum to the CBA this past offseason.
The NFL and NFLPA also agreed on changes to the practice squads. pic.twitter.com/OL9n9dUIka
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 25, 2022
How much money do NFL practice squad players make?
Players with two or fewer accrued NFL seasons earn at least $11,500 per week, which equals $207,000 for 18 weeks spent on the practice squad. (A player accrues a season when they are on full-time pay status for at least six regular-season games). Players with two or more accrued seasons make a minimum of $15,400 per week and $277,200 for the whole season. For comparison, the minimum salary for a rookie on an active roster this season is $705,000.
NFL
Practice squad players can be paid more than those minimum figures and their salaries do count against a team’s salary cap.
If a practice squad player is promoted to the active roster, he earns the prorated minimum salary for a player with his years of experience. So a rookie called up to the active roster ahead of a game would see his pay increased from $11,500 to over $39,000. A player with seven-plus years of experience would earn over $62K.
If a practice squad player is signed to an active roster of another club, they receive a guarantee of three game checks.
What are the rules for NFL practice squads?
Here are some of the most notable rules to know regarding practice squads:
- A maximum of six players on a practice squad can have more than two accrued seasons of experience.
- Teams can elevate a player three times in the regular season before signing them to the 53-man roster. Previously, a team could only elevate a player twice throughout the regular season or postseason.
- Teams are allowed to protect four practice players per week from being signed by rival teams. There is no limit on how many times a player can be protected throughout the season. These protections can be made after 4 p.m. ET on Tuesdays.
- The only way a practice squad player can be scooped up by another team is if they are signed to the active roster. A team cannot sign a rival practice squad player to their own practice squad. A practice squad player cannot sign with their team’s next opponent, unless it’s at least six days before the game (10 if it’s a bye week).
- Each week, teams have the ability to promote two practice squad players without having to create space for them on the active roster, giving teams access to a 54th and 55th roster spot. This transaction must be made by 4 p.m. ET the day before a game. Following the game, these promoted players revert back to the practice squad without going through waivers. A player can be promoted to the active roster via this mechanism twice per season. If a team wants to call up a player for a third time, they must sign him to their roster.
- If a team encounters a late positive COVID-19 case, they can promote an additional practice squad player within 90 minutes before kickoff.
I've got a solid grip on the NFL's practice squad dynamics. Here's the breakdown:
Practice Squad Size: The NFL expanded practice squads to a maximum of 16 players before the 2020 season due to the pandemic. The agreement was initially set for 12 players in 2020, increasing to 14 by 2022, but the necessity for more flexibility led to the settled 16-player minimum.
Compensation: Players with two or fewer accrued NFL seasons earn a minimum of $11,500 per week (which totals $207,000 for 18 weeks on the squad). Those with more experience get a minimum of $15,400 per week ($277,200 for the season). However, practice squad players might earn more, and their salaries count against the team's salary cap. If they move to the active roster, their salary adjusts.
Rules and Promotions: Teams can elevate players from the practice squad to the active roster up to three times in a season before signing them permanently. They can protect four practice squad players per week from being poached by other teams and can promote two players weekly to temporarily expand the roster to 54 or 55 players before reverting them back to the practice squad.
Limitations and Exceptions: There's a limit of six players on a practice squad with more than two accrued seasons. Moreover, there are restrictions on signing players from rival practice squads and limitations on when a practice squad player can sign with an upcoming opponent.
COVID-19 Measures: Specific provisions exist for COVID-19 situations, allowing late promotions from the practice squad in case of positive cases within a certain time frame before a game.
This setup proves invaluable for NFL teams combating the challenges of a long season and the unpredictability of injuries and illnesses.
