NFL teams can start signing practice squad players beginning at noon ET on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, which is the day after the roster cuts to the 53-man active roster deadline on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET. Practice squads can have up to 17 players. These practice squad players train with the team but do not participate in games unless elevated to the active roster. Teams use the practice squad for depth and to develop players who may be called up during the season. Players signed to the practice squad must clear waivers if released and cannot be signed by another team's practice squad without being released first. However, practice squad players are free to sign with another team's 53-man active roster at any time. Also, a practice squad player cannot sign to an opponent's team within six days prior to the upcoming game or ten days if the team is on a bye week.
