NFL teams were initially scheduled to have 12-player practice squads in 2021 followed by 14-player practice rosters in 2022.
Then COVID-19 hit.
To give teams more roster flexibility, the league and players’ union agreed to 16 players. Teams appreciated having the extra players available last season and the NFL decided to keep the 16-player limit going forward.
Denver Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett is certainly happy about the decision.
“It’s great,” Hackett said Wednesday. “I think that the whole NFL schedule has changed, from how much we get to practice, how many days you get to go hard, all those things. So I think the more guys you have throughout the season to be able to develop them is so huge because this is a game of health. You always want to have people in the program that are always being able to learn just in case you have to go in.”
Players who are on the practice squad can be called up to the game day roster three times during the season without having to clear waivers to return to the practice squad after the game. That gives teams even more roster flexibiliy.
“Even in the activations [are] a huge thing now,” Hackett said. “I’m so happy that they kept going because we can activate those practice squad guys. So those guys have to still practice and play like they’re starters just in case anything happens. They have to be ready to go. That helps, and it just gives us more time to work with more people, and it’s going to give the whole league more quality.”
We’ve been tracking the team’s practice squad signings on this page.
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