2021 NFL practice squad rules, deadline, eligibility

 On Wednesday, teams will expand their roster by adding to the practice squad. Each team can add up to 16 players on a practice squad, which is a group of players that aren’t part of the 53-man roster but are allowed to practice with the team, and in special situations can even play on Sundays.

While the practice squad used to be used to develop young players that could be a part of the 53-man roster in future years, the purpose of it has changed over time due to some recent rule changes. In 2020, the practice squad saw a complete rule overhaul, in part to protect teams in case they were to get hit by a COVID-19 outbreak in the locker room. The NFL chose to carry over all of those rules to 2021.

Here are the most important things to know about the 2021 practice squad rules.

How many players are allowed on the practice squad?

16 as of 2020. The previous number used to be 10.

Who is eligible to be signed to the practice squad?

In short, anybody. Doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a 10-year veteran. You can be signed to the practice squad.

To be more specific, teams have a certain amount of practice squad spots available to certain types of players. Here’s the breakdown:

Up to six practice squad spots can be used on players with unlimited experience in the NFL

The remaining spots are filled with players having less than two accrued seasons

When can teams sign players to their practice squad?

After the waiver claim deadline following the final roster cuts for each team. This year, that’s Wednesday, September 1 at 4 p.m. ET.