NFL could expand practice squads to 16 players

NFL practice squads were to expand from 10 to 12 players in 2020. Now, there’s internal talk about expanding to as many as 16 for greater roster flexibility for positive Covid tests, sources tell me and @judybattista. NFLPA would have to co-sign but that’s more jobs for players.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 18, 2020

With everything that has happened this year already, it’s not surprising there will be more changes coming to the NFL. The offseason was already conducted in a virtual format, and in-person minicamps have been officially canceled in June.

The league is also toying with the idea of a shortened preseason, featuring two instead of four exhibition games.

And with the possible start of training camps in July approaching quickly and the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect the nation — and worsening in many states — another change that could be coming is to the NFL roster size.

NFL.com’s Judy Battista and Mike Garofolo reported Wednesday the league is considering enlarging clubs’ practice squads from 12 to 16 players. The squads were already set to expand from 10 to 12 this year.

The expansion would be to allow for greater roster flexibility if and when players test positive for the coronavirus. However, as both Battista and Garafolo note, the NFLPA would have to sign off on the expansion.

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