How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Any NFL player will tell you that wins don’t come on Sundays, they come during the week during practice. That’s why practice squads are an under-appreciated part of the NFL game.
After NFL squads trim their rosters to 53 players, the next step is for those teams to form their practice squads for the upcoming season. Those practice squads are comprised of veterans looking for a second (or third or fourth) chance, while some younger players — even those who were drafted in 2023 — look to make their names known and impact felt on the backfields.
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So, as the NFL rosters are official set heading into the 2023 season, here’s how the practice squads for all 32 teams stack up.
NFL practice squad signings: 2023 rosters for all 32 NFL teams
NFL practice squads are formed following the conclusion of roster cut deadline on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Veterans and younger players alike find their way to the practice squad, with the size of the group set at 16 players for 2023.
Practice squad rosters (as announced by teams and various reports) are below.
49ers practice squad
This section will be updated.
Bears practice squad
This section will be updated.
Bengals practice squad
This section will be updated.
Bills practice squad
- CB Kyron Brown
Broncos practice squad
- QB Ben DiNucci
Browns practice squad
- OL Alex Leatherwood
Buccaneers practice squad
This section will be updated.
Cardinals practice squad
This section will be updated.
Chargers practice squad
- QB Max Duggan
Chiefs practice squad
- S Deon Bush
- DT Danny Shelton
Colts practice squad
- S Ronnie Harrison
- DL Al Quadin Muhammad
Commanders practice squad
This section will be updated.
Cowboys practice squad
- OT Earl Bostick Jr.
- DB C.J. Goodwin
- S Sheldrick Redwine
Dolphins practice squad
This section will be updated.
Eagles practice squad
- WR Devon Allen
- WR Britain Covey
- WR Greg Ward
Falcons practice squad
This section will be updated.
Giants practice squad
- WR Cole Beasley
- TE Tyree Jackson
Jaguars practice squad
- TE Josh Pederson
- QB Nathan Rourke
Jets practice squad
- QB Tim Boyle
- S Trey Dean
- LB Sam Eguavoen
- S Tyreque Jones
- OL Adam Pankey
- RB Xazavian Valladay
- TE Zack Kuntz
Lions practice squad
- CB Chase Lucas
Packers practice squad
This section will be updated.
Panthers practice squad
This section will be updated.
Patriots practice squad
- QB Malik Cunningham
- WR Thyrick Pitts
- QB Bailey Zappe
Raiders practice squad
This section will be updated.
Rams practice squad
This section will be updated.
Ravens practice squad
- QB Anthony Brown
- WR Laquon Treadwell
Saints practice squad
This section will be updated.
Seahawks practice squad
This section will be updated.
Steelers practice squad
- OT Kellen Diesch
- DT Breiden Fehoko
Texans practice squad
This section will be updated.
Titans practice squad
- OLB Thomas Rush
- K Cade York
Vikings practice squad
This section will be updated.
How much are NFL practice squad players paid?
There are two separate brackets that the NFL uses to determine practice squad salaries.
They are broken up into players with two or fewer seasons in the NFL, and then those considered NFL veterans.
Players who have accrued two or fewer NFL seasons are paid weekly at a fixed rate. The salary is set at $12,000 in 2023, but is going to increase each year throughout the rest of the current CBA.
| Year | Weekly salary |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $12,000 |
| 2024 | $12,500 |
| 2025 | $13,000 |
| 2026 | $13,750 |
| 2027 | $14,500 |
| 2028 | $15,250 |
| 2029 | $16,000 |
| 2030 | $16,750 |
NFL veterans do not have a set salary rate. Instead, they hold the ability to negotiate the dollar amount on their deal, albeit it is not a large range for the salary.
The minimum weekly salary for a vet on the practice squad in 2023 is $16,100, while the maximum is $20,600.
| Year | Minimum salary | Maximum salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $16,100 | $20,600 |
| 2024 | $16,800 | $21,300 |
| 2025 | $17,500 | $22,000 |
| 2026 | $18,350 | $22,850 |
| 2027 | $19,200 | $23,700 |
| 2028 | $20,900 | $25,400 |
| 2029 | $20,900 | $25,400 |
| 2030 | $21,750 | $26,250 |
Practice squads are paid out on a weekly check, and don’t include incentives or bonuses.
How many players are on an NFL practice squad?
As of 2023, a maximum of 16 players comprise an NFL practice squad. This number has increased from 10 players, to 12 players, to now 16. How an NFL team chooses to assemble its practice squad is somewhat constrained to certain limitations, however.
Who is eligible for an NFL practice squad?
Per NFL guidelines, there’s a limit on how many veteran players can be on an NFL practice squad. Of 16 players, 10 must not have accrued two seasons of service time in the NFL. The other players are classified as “veterans.”
The qualifications for the practice squad are as follows:
- Players who do not have an accrued season of NFL experience (rookies);
- Players who were on the active list for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s);
- Up to four players per team who have earned no more than two accrued seasons (no game limitations);
- Up to six players per team with no limitations as to their number of earned accrued seasons.
During any given week, up to four players can be protected on the practice squad, meaning no other team can sign these players off the practice squad.
Can NFL practice squad players play in games?
Yes, practice squad players have the ability to play in games, if they are added to the game-day roster ahead of time.
Teams can elevate up to two practice squad players the day of a game in order to fill out the 48-man, gameday roster. Following the game, these players revert to the practice squad.
Players cannot be elevated more than three times in one season. After that, the team must sign them to the active roster.
Can practice squad players sign with other teams?
Yes, practice squad players can sign with other teams. However, there is a stipulation to it. If a practice squad player signs with another team, then they must be added to that team’s 53-man active roster.
A player may not sign onto the practice squad of another team while an active member of a practice squad.
TSN’s Bryan Murphy contributed to this piece.