I've been wondering what, if any, is the benefit of signing a player to the practice squad first before putting them on the active roster, like Jason Peters and Cooper Rush for example? —SAN ANTONIO, TX / JOSH HANSON
Rob: In Peters' case, it gives him a chance to ramp up for a couple weeks without taking up a 53-man roster spot yet. In Rush's case, he's a vested veteran, so the Cowboys didn't have to risk him on waivers at final cuts, and he decided to sign back with them. The Cowboys can now make him a standard elevation this week as the expected backup to Dak Prescott. I think this is a good place to give a quick refresher of the practice squad rules, because they are different. There are 16 spots, though the Cowboys actually have 17 because of Isaac Alarcon's exemption through the NFL's International Pathway Program. Six veterans can be on the practice squad. There are two standard elevations allowed per game week, and a player can be elevated up to three times.
Kyle: While there's always an element of risk, the easy answers are either a slow ramp-up for NFL action, like in Jason Peter's case, or continuous practice reps without taking up a roster spot. Since 2020, changes in the practice squad roster rules have allowed for the protection of certain players on a weekly basis. Prior to the rule changes for the COVID-19 affected season, practice squad players were easily poachable from roster to roster. While that could still happen now, we see less movement because teams can protect two players from their practice squad each week by activating them for game day. So, in the example of Peters and Cooper Rush, there's not a risk to have them on the squad before eventually moving them up to the active roster. Players can be elevated for up to three games without taking up a 53-man roster spot, which is one more game than allowed in 2021. Eventually, they'd have to be given a full-time roster spot to avoid normal regulations around the practice squad, but that shouldn't be a problem since they're both expected to have a spot soon.
As a seasoned football analyst and enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies of player management in the NFL, I can confidently shed light on the benefits of signing players to the practice squad before promoting them to the active roster. My expertise in this area is grounded in a comprehensive knowledge of the NFL's practice squad rules, historical trends, and the strategic considerations that teams make when handling player transactions.
The case of Jason Peters and Cooper Rush exemplifies the nuanced approach teams take in utilizing the practice squad. In Peters' situation, the decision to place him on the practice squad allows for a gradual ramp-up, affording him valuable time to get back into game shape without immediately occupying a coveted spot on the 53-man roster. This strategy is particularly beneficial for players coming off injuries or needing an extended acclimatization period.
On the other hand, Cooper Rush, being a vested veteran, presents a different scenario. The Cowboys, aware of the risk of losing him to waivers during final cuts, opted to secure his services by placing him on the practice squad initially. This move safeguards the player from the waiver wire while giving the team flexibility in roster management.
Understanding the intricacies of the practice squad rules is crucial in deciphering these decisions. The NFL permits 16 spots on the practice squad, with an exception for the Cowboys, who have 17 due to Isaac Alarcon's exemption through the NFL's International Pathway Program. Notably, up to six veterans can occupy practice squad spots, reflecting the league's evolving approach to player development.
The introduction of standard elevations has been a significant development since 2020. Teams can now protect players on the practice squad weekly, minimizing the risk of losing them to other rosters. In the cases of Peters and Rush, this provision allows teams like the Cowboys to strategically place them on the practice squad without fearing immediate poaching, providing a buffer period for assessment and preparation.
Moreover, the rule change permits two standard elevations per game week, enabling teams to bring up players to the active roster for specific matchups or strategic needs. This flexibility extends to a player being elevated up to three times before necessitating a permanent spot on the 53-man roster.
In conclusion, the decision to sign a player to the practice squad before promoting them to the active roster is a strategic maneuver rooted in the NFL's evolving practice squad rules. It allows teams to manage player transitions carefully, considering factors such as injury recovery, veteran status, and roster flexibility. The cases of Jason Peters and Cooper Rush serve as practical examples of how teams leverage these rules to their advantage in shaping their rosters for optimal performance.
