With 2020 being such an unusual year, the NFL undoubtedly will be doing things differently than in years past. One of those changes could occur in terms of each roster’s practice squad capacity.
According to NFL insider Mike Garafolo, the NFLPA and NFL are exploring the possibility to increase each organization’s practice squad to 16 players. Of course, the reason for that is due to the threat the coronavirus could pose to each roster.
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
In years past before the new collective bargaining agreement was agreed upon, teams could carry a total of 10 players on their practice squads, but that number was going to increase to 12 players. However, if the NFLPA and NFL can agree upon making that number 16, that would give teams additional space for four more players — and with that comes more jobs.
This would especially be huge for the Jags, who are going to have an extremely young team. They used all 12 of their draft picks in the 2020 NFL Draft and didn’t shy away from a big undrafted free agent class that includes 18.
The Jags had to promote several players from their practice squad last year including receiver Michael Walker and cornerback Brandon Watson, both of whom began the season on their practice squad.