Practice squads play a crucial role in the weekly preparations of NFL teams. Before 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, August 29, teams are required to reduce their rosters to 53 players. This means that nearly 1,200 players will either be released or placed on the injury list. Starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on August 30, teams can begin signing players to their practice squads.
Practice squad players actively practice with their respective teams. They receive weekly compensation and can be released at any point during the season. If a practice squad player is promoted to the active roster, they are entitled to a minimum of three weekly paychecks.
Compensation relies on prorated minimums and experience but falls short of star players’ contracts. This raises the query: How do these players get paid?
Practice squad (PS) players have the option to be activated on game day prior to the team’s announcement of inactive players which happens 90 minutes before game time. A player can be elevated up to three times during the season. Beyond the third elevation, the player must be signed to the regular roster in order to be activated for a fourth time.
For the 2023 season, NFL practice squad players receive a minimum of $12,000 per week, totaling $216,000 over 18 weeks. However, veteran players with more than two years of experience will receive a minimum of $16,100 per week, with the maximum being $20,600.
It’s essential to note that these salary figures are applicable for the 2023 season. Moreover, practice squad players should be aware that their positions are not guaranteed and that they can be released by the team at any moment.
Game participation rules for practice squad athletes
Under the new rules in effect in 2023, an NFL practice squad consists of 16 players. Among these, 10 players are restricted from having more than two seasons of experience in the league. The remaining six players, classified as “veterans”, do not face any such limitations. Teams have the option to protect up to four players on the practice squad each week, preventing other teams from signing these protected players.
Additionally, practice squad players are eligible to participate in games if they are added to the game-day roster in advance. Noteworthy, if a practice squad player signs with another team, the team must add them to their 53-man active roster.