The wait for the NFL season has begun and it is time to get rid of players. During the preparation stage, teams could have up to 90 men on the roster, but now they must cut it down to 53
These roster cuts always mark one of the busiest weeks of the year for players, coaches and general managers. But once the cuts are made, another dilemma begins: the assembling of the practice squads.
Key date for practice squads
The day after the teams make their cut is when the behind-the-scenes movement begins. That’s when the 32 teams can begin to assemble their practice squad.
- Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
- Time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- What happens: From that point on, the 32 teams will be able to begin signing players to their practice squads.
How does the hiring process work for practice squads?
The process is not so easy to understand, but there are some clear points. Once players are released, they wait a few hours and then immediately become available to the rest of the teams. Here is a more schematic explanation:
- August 26 (4:00 p.m. ET):
- Deadline for official active roster cuts.
- Waiver system:
- Any player who is released goes through a process in which other teams can claim him for their main roster.
- August 27 (12:00 p.m. ET):
- Once the waiver period expires, teams can begin signing free agents to their practice squads.
Main rules for practice teams
- Each team can have up to 17 players:
- 16 regular places.
- 1 international spot for players designated under the International Pathway Program.
It should be emphasized that only after the player has been notified that he has been released can he be taken by the other teams. Never before. He must be “clean”, so to speak, of all contractual ties
Players on the practice squad can be promoted to the main roster up to three times in the season without having to go through waivers again. These are the ones who replace those who are injured during the season, something that is very common in the NFL
Fantasy context and projection
For those who play fantasy football, this period is pure gold:
Practice squads can hide gems that later become starters due to injuries or tactical moves. This is where teams that later spring surprises in the leagues can end up being put together
Players like Puka Nacua or De’Von Achane in previous years started as substitutes or with reduced roles, and ended up being league winners.
So everyone is waiting to see what might happen.
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