This year in the NFL–like every other sport–has been and will be unlike any other. Some of the changes we’ve already seen include zero preseason games, a virtual NFL Draft and, if you watched HBO’s Hard Knocks, a completely different training camp structure.
One of the new alterations that will become significant as the season progresses are the new practice squad rules–the size increasing from 12 to 16 players, 1-2 players on the squad allowed to be elevated to the active roster for games, teams getting two “free” practice squad active moves per player before he hits waivers and, finally, teams being allowed to designate four players per week who can’t be signed by other teams.
For the six former Badgers who found themselves on a practice squad after cut day last week these new rules are huge news, and could be the reason they find themselves on an NFL field this season.
Well, with opening night of the NFL tomorrow and a full slate of Week 1 games this weekend two Wisconsin products are already benefitting from 2020’s unique structured as they were designated by their teams as players who cannot be signed by another NFL team.
Those two players are Panthers defensive back Natrell Jamerson and Chargers offensive lineman Ryan Groy.
Ryan Groy (Chargers) and Natrell Jamerson (Panthers) were placed on their team's "no poaching allowed" list for Week 1. Each NFL team can protect up to 4 players per week who can't be signed by another club. #Badgers
— Dave Heller (@dave_heller) September 8, 2020
What does this mean?
At least in the short term it keeps the two on their current practice squads. But in the long term it shows that the organization still values them and may have future plans to bring them up to the active roster were somebody ahead of them on the depth chart to get injured or test positive for COVID-19.
In any other year we may have seen the likes of Jamerson, Groy, D’Cota Dixon, Chris Orr, Beau Benzschawel and Dare Ogunbowale–the six Wisconsin products currently on NFL practice squads–without a job going into the season.
With the new rules this year, the NFL dream has stayed alive for all six of them.
Making an active roster was obviously the goal for all six players, but at least now there is security on the practice squad and a more-than-possible path to the active roster as the season progresses.