The NFL will process all players waived over the last few days through waivers at 11:00 a.m. CT today. After that, teams can begin signing unclaimed players to their 17-man* practice squads. Any players who are claimed must be placed on the team’s 53-man roster, which would necessitate a corresponding roster move.
* Just like last year, all teams are eligible for a 17th spot if they add a player who qualifies for the International Player Pathway Program.
Teams can have up to six players on the practice
squad with more than two accrued years of service in the league, and the remaining spots need to be filled by players with less than two accrued years of service.
Teams can elevate up to two practice squad players for each game, but they can still only have 48 players active on game day. After the game, the elevated player(s) will revert to the practice squad. A player can be elevated up to three times a season, but a fourth would require him to be signed to the 53-man active roster.
One thing to keep in mind about practice squad players is that they are free agents who can negotiate and be signed to another team’s active roster. The current club can make a counteroffer, but if the practice squadder wants to leave, the move can not be blocked. If a player is signed away, his new team must keep him on its 53-man roster for three weeks, but if he’s released, he’ll revert to his previous team. Players signed to another active roster are also guaranteed three weeks’ salary.
A practice squad player can’t sign with his team’s upcoming opponent unless it’s done six days before the upcoming game or ten days prior if his team is on its bye week.
We’ve already heard a few reports about the Chicago Bears’ plans to retain certain players, and if any additional rumors emerge, we’ll share them below.
- Veteran defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon, who is a free agent, is likely to return to the practice squad if he doesn’t land a spot on another team’s 53-man roster.
- When tight end Joel Wilson was waived, the report indicated the Bears wanted him back for the practice squad.
- UDFA WR J.P. Richardson and center Ricky Stromberg were suggested to be strong practice squad candidates if they cleared waivers.
Much like the UDFA frenzy that occurs after the NFL Draft, a team’s practice squad isn’t official until it is announced. And once the Bears announce theirs, we’ll share it here at Windy City Gridiron.
