Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Unsung Heroes: Life on an NFL Practice Squad

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Date: March 27, 2016

Key Contacts

Back

What about being on NFL practice squad?

Free agency kicked off this year and players such as Olivier Vernon found themselves signing massive contracts with new or old teams. However, there are some players who are free agents year round, and their names rarely ever hit the headlines.

Allen Iverson may disagree, but in general, practice is an important part of every athlete’s career. During the NFL season, players often line up against what are called “practice squads.” Each team has one, and these players serve as the opponents on the testing grounds. They mimic other teams’ schemes and approaches, they offer the players we all know and love a challenge during the week and they take home paychecks as members of the organization. However, these unsung football heroes aren’t discussed very often.

NFL Practice squad eligibility rules

Many players who entered the NFL with hopes of playing during the big games on Sunday end up with the practice squad instead. However, not everyone is allowed on these teams. There are a few eligibility rules such as:

  • Only players who were on an active roster for fewer than six games or…
  • …Players who were on the active gameday roster for fewer than nine games are eligible.
  • Players are only allowed on the practice squad for up to two years.
  • Sometimes a third year is permitted if the team maintains an active-inactive list of 53 players at all times.

Players who don’t make the active roster, and who aren’t willing to head north of the border or elsewhere to play football for a paycheck just yet, may end up on teams’ practice squads.

Life on the NFL practice squad

While athletes on the practice squad won’t end up receiving wages like Vernon next season, they will definitely have livable salaries. The minimum wage for a practice squad player is $6,600 per week. A practice squad player can earn more than $100,000 in a single year.

Unlike most NFL players, these individuals are free agents year-round. While they can’t jump between practice squads, any team can sign one of these players to its active roster at any time. That means even after the season has started, the New York Jets, for example, can sign a player off of the New England Patriots’ practice squad and place him on its active roster. Football players who end up on practice squads who believe they still have a chance to end up on an active roster should be prepared for the fact that any team in the league can sign them, and that they will have to move fairly quickly once that happens.

Incentive to be involved in an NFL practice squad

Practice squad players are very important to their active roster counterparts’ development. For example, Denver Broncos practice squad wide receiver Jordan Taylor worked with Peyton Manning extensively to assist the quarterback’s recovery from injury. Also, players such as Taylor, if they show their coaches progress, have a chance of making the active roster at some point. Arian Foster, a running back most recently on the Houston Texans who is now a free agent, spent time on the practice squad.

If you are on an NFL practice squad, or may soon be, speak with an NFL agent or experienced  to learn more.

Otherwise, for more articles related to free agency, check out:

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING four litigators post image

Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING four litigators

NYC Real Estate and Litigation Attorney Ryan O. Miller and Team Join Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC New York City, NY – August 13, 2025 – Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC has strengthened its Real Estate and Litigation practices with the addition of four New York City-based attorneys. Ryan Miller, who joins as a partner, is well known for […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING four litigators"
What is Business Law and Why Is it Important? post image

What is Business Law and Why Is it Important?

Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "What is Business Law and Why Is it Important?"
Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals post image

Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals

Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals"
How to Conduct a Fair and Legal Employee Termination in 2025 post image

How to Conduct a Fair and Legal Employee Termination in 2025

Ongoing economic uncertainty is forcing many companies to make tough decisions, which includes lowering staff levels. The legal landscape on both the state and federal level also continues to evolve, especially with significant changes to the priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) under the Trump Administration. Terminating an employee is one of the […]

Author: Angela A. Turiano

Link to post with title - "How to Conduct a Fair and Legal Employee Termination in 2025"
Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know post image

Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know

While filing annual reports may seem like a nuisance, failing to do so can have significant ramifications. These include fines, reputational harm, and interruption of your business operations. In basic terms, “admin dissolution for annual report” means that a company is dissolved by the government. This happens because it failed to submit its annual report […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know"
What Is Antitrust Litigation Law? post image

What Is Antitrust Litigation Law?

Antitrust laws are designed to ensure that businesses compete fairly. There are three federal antitrust laws that businesses must navigate. These include the Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Act. States also have their own antitrust regimes. These may vary from federal regulations. Understanding antitrust litigation helps businesses navigate these complex […]

Author: Robert E. Levy

Link to post with title - "What Is Antitrust Litigation Law?"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. By providing a telephone number and submitting this form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message. Message & data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. You can reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!