The first NFL Sunday is now only one day away–a sentence that has never felt so good to say.
After cut day last week five former Badgers found themselves on NFL practice squads heading into Week 1. What is different this year, though, is the squads are expanded and now teams can use up to two “free” call-ups before a player has to enter waivers.
One Wisconsin product has already benefitted from the new rule as earlier today Ryan Groy was called up to the Los Angeles Chargers’ active roster for their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ryan Groy was elevated from the practice squad for the Chargers opening game. Players can be called up twice for "free," the third time they have to pass through waivers. No other former #Badgers (i.e. D'Cota Dixon, Chris Orr) were called up from a PS.
— Dave Heller (@dave_heller) September 12, 2020
Groy is currently in his sixth NFL season and projects to backup Dan Feeney at the left guard position tomorrow.
Though this is the first transaction we’ve seen of Wisconsin products joining active rosters it certainly won’t be the last, as teams in the NFL will take advantage the new practice squad rules as the season progresses and utilize their practice squad players that are good enough to make an impact on the field.