What is a practice squad in football?
For an NFL player, being on a team’s “practice squad” is a mixed blessing. NFL practice squad players exist in the league’s no-man’s land, participating in every aspect of their team’s training and preparation but not playing in games.FunctionAccording to the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the league’s union, each team can have up to eight “practice squad” players in addition to their active 53-man roster. These players can practice and train with the team but are ineligible to play while on the practice squad.FeaturesThe league’s CBA set a minimum salary of $5,200 per week for players on the practice squad during the 2010 season. This amount would rise to $5,700 per week in 2011 if there is a salary cap in place.ConsiderationsThe league’s rules prohibit players who have at least one year of NFL experience from being on a team’s practice squad.HistoryAccording to the NFL, the league established the first five-man developmental squad in 1989. This was renamed the pract
