We've gotten our first look at the New Orleans Saints' initial 53-man roster, but the work isn't finished. Now the Saints are moving on to the next step and forming their practice squad. We'll be tracking all of the latest reports and developments right here, with instant analysis on every move.
How does the practice squad work? Teams must keep 10 players with two or fewer accrued seasons; essentially rookies and second-year pros. Six other spots go to veteran players who have accrued three or more season in the NFL. An "accrued season" is a year in which a player was active for nine or games. If the Saints keep a player who is part of the International Pathway Program (IPP) like Irish kicker Charlie Smyth, they'll be granted an exemption so he doesn't
count against the 16-man limit.
Who is eligible for the practice squad?
Any player can sign with a team's practice squad, but there are limitations in place. Here are the different categories for practice squad players, via Sporting News:
- Rookies, or players who have not accrued one season of NFL experience
- Any player who was not active for more nine regular-season games or more during their accrued seasons
- A maximum of four players who earned no more than two accrued NFL seasons
- Six players who have accrued more than two NFL seasons.
- At least one player who is a member of the NFL's International Pathway Program (IPP)
How much do practice squad players make?
According to Sporting News, there are two different salary scales for practice squad players, which is determined by experience. Players with two or fewer accrued seasons receive a fixed weekly check of $13,750. Those with three or more accrued seasons may negotiate a salary between an $18,350 minimum and $22,850 maximum. Teams will often bid against each other for their services or try to convince guys not to leave for a spot on another team's 53-man roster by maxing out their practice squad pay.
How can a practice squad player be signed away?
Any team can poach from another team's practice squad, but signing a player to their 53-man roster means they must lose someone else in a corresponding move. Players cannot move directly from one team's practice squad to another. On top of that, a player signed from the practice squad must stay on the new team's 53-man roster for at least three weeks.
How can practice squad players get into games?
Teams may elevate two practice squad players each week, expanding their roster from 53 players to 55, but each practice squad player may be elevated just two times. If a team wants to continue playing them, it requires a promotion to the 53-man roster.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: New Orleans Saints' 2026 practice squad tracker
