Once the 53-man cuts are done, the NFL practice squad is where the real roster puzzle continues. Our free printable practice squad tracker gives you a rules-and-dates cheat sheet plus a 16-slot team sheet you can print for all 32 teams and update all season long.
2026 Practice Squad Key Dates
Practice squad season kicks off the moment the 53-man rosters are set. Here is the timeline for cutdown week.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Sun, Aug 30 | Rosters cut to 53 players by 6:00 p.m. ET |
| Mon, Aug 31 | Waiver claims on cut players expire at 1:00 p.m. ET |
| Mon, Aug 31 | Once waivers clear, clubs may begin signing practice squads |
These follow directly from the 53-man deadline. For the full cutdown picture, see our 2026 NFL roster cuts tracker.
How Big Is an NFL Practice Squad?
A practice squad holds 16 players, and it grows to 17 when one player qualifies and is designated as an International Player. Of the 16 standard spots, up to 10 must go to players with two or fewer accrued seasons, and up to 6 can be true veterans with unlimited experience. Any player cut from a 53-man roster has to clear waivers before he can sign to a practice squad.
Game-Day Elevations and Poaching
Teams can elevate up to two practice squad players for a game without a roster move, and each player can be elevated three times before the club has to sign him to the 53-man roster to keep using him. Elevated players revert to the practice squad afterward with no waivers needed. The catch: any other team can sign your practice squad player straight to its active roster, and if they do, they must keep him on the active roster for at least three weeks at active-roster pay. That poaching rule is why good practice squads disappear fast in September.
2026 Practice Squad Pay
| Player type | Weekly minimum | Per 18-week season (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer than 2 accrued seasons | $13,750 | about $247,500 |
| Veterans (2+ accrued seasons) | up to $22,850 | about $411,300 |
How to Use the Printable Tracker
Print one team sheet per club. Slots 1 through 10 are marked for younger players, slots 11 through 16 for veterans, and slot 17 for the International Player. Each row has three checkboxes to track that player’s game-day elevations, plus space to log the two elevations you expect each week and a watch list of poach targets around the league. Official dates and rules come from the NFL calendar.
Grab more free printable trackers and schedules at SportsBrackets.net.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are on an NFL practice squad in 2026?
Sixteen, or seventeen when a team designates a qualifying International Player.
How many times can a practice squad player be elevated?
Up to three standard game-day elevations before the team must sign him to the 53-man roster to use him again. A team may elevate two practice squad players per game.
Can another team sign a player off your practice squad?
Yes. Any club can sign him to its active 53-man roster, and it must keep him there for at least three weeks at active-roster pay.
How much do practice squad players make in 2026?
From $13,750 per week for players with fewer than two accrued seasons up to $22,850 per week for veterans.
