A supplemental roster of up to 17 players who practice with the team but are not on the active 53-man roster. Practice squad players can be elevated to the active roster for games and are eligible to be signed by other teams.
The practice squad is a developmental roster that each NFL team maintains alongside its 53-man active roster. As of the current CBA, teams can carry up to 17 practice squad players. These players participate in team practices, attend meetings, and prepare as though they are active roster members, but they are not eligible to play in games unless elevated or signed to the active roster. Practice squad eligibility has expanded significantly over the years. Players with fewer than three accrued seasons have unlimited practice squad eligibility. Teams can also carry up to six players with no limitations on their experience level (often called "veteran exceptions"), allowing experienced players to remain on practice squads. The minimum practice squad salary is set by the CBA and varies based on a player's experience, with veterans earning more than first-year players. Teams can elevate up to two practice squad players to the active roster for game day without requiring a corresponding roster move, up to three times per season per player. After three standard elevations, the player must be signed to the 53-man roster to play. Practice squad players are free to sign with any team's 53-man roster at any time, though their current team can protect up to four practice squad players each week from being signed by other teams.
The 2024 Eagles elevated several practice squad players during the season, including players who made significant game-day contributions. The practice squad elevation rule has become a critical roster management tool, essentially giving teams a 55-man game-day roster.
Category: Roster Management. Part of the StickToTheModel NFL Encyclopedia.