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At face value, it hurts that the Cincinnati Bengals won’t be able to take their normal numbers into training camp this summer.
But a potential change to how practice squads could work might help.
According to the latest developments from negotiations between the NFL and NFLPA, the practice squad could be upped to a whopping 16 players. Even better, six of those could have any number of accrued seasons.
In other words, the NFL might permit the ability to even stash veterans on the practice squad. That would give the Bengals and all teams plenty of flexibility to call up players when they need help in the wake of injuries or other issues impacting the roster.
Stashing more players for the long-term is especially beneficial for a team like the Bengals as they completely overhaul the roster under a new regime. Hanging onto interesting undrafted free agents from a year ago — like wideout Stanley Morgan — is as important as hanging on to undrafteds like Marcel Spears and Kendall Futrell this offseason.
Given the depth and transitional feel of the roster this year, rest assured the Bengals will take every sort of advantage afforded them like this, provided it sticks in the plans.
Teams have two options for training camp rosters:
1) Cut to 80 before veterans report
2) Cut to 80 by Aug. 16
Practice squads will increase to 16 players; 6 of those players can have unlimited number of accrued seasons.— Lindsay Jones (@bylindsayhjones) July 24, 2020
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