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Examining practice-squad criteria and which Broncos are eligible
The NFL’s convoluted practice-squad eligibility guidelines are often misinterpreted. Let’s just say that it’s not simple.
As preseason slows down and cut day approaches, it’s time for a crash course on practice squads.
The practice squad is a player-development tool, allowing each team to select up to 10 players to participate in practices and meetings, despite being ineligible for games. These players can be signed to the active roster of any team in the league at any point throughout the season.
The practice squad is designed to give young players who aren’t prepared for the NFL a chance to acclimate to the league, without forcing a team to use a roster spot. Notably, Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall and center Matt Paradis began their careers as practice squad members, as did the team’s all-time leading receiver, Rod Smith.
Here are the NFL rules for practice squad eligibility. Buckle up.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
A PLAYER IS FULLY ELIGIBLE FOR A PRACTICE SQUAD IF HE FULFILLS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A) He doesn’t have an accrued season (six games on an NFL roster during one season) and has been on an NFL practice squad for fewer than two seasons.
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OR
B) He has never been active for more than eight games in a single season and has spent fewer than two seasons on an NFL practice squad.
A PLAYER IS PRACTICE-SQUAD ELIGIBLE AS LONG AS HIS TEAM CARRIES A FULL 53-MAN ROSTER FOR THE ENTIRE SEASON IF HE FULFILLS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A) He doesn’t have an accrued season and has spent exactly two seasons on an NFL practice squad.
OR
B) He has never been active for more than eight games in a single season and has spent exactly two seasons on an NFL practice squad.
ADDITIONALLY, A TEAM CAN CARRY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PLAYERS ON THEIR PRACTICE SQUAD WHO HAVE ACCRUED SEASONS. THIS EXCEPTION CAN APPLY TO UP TO FOUR PLAYERS PER TEAM, ALL OF WHOM MUST FULFILL ONE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
A) He has one or two accrued seasons and has spent one season or fewer on an NFL practice squad.
OR
B) He has one or two accrued seasons, exactly two seasons on an NFL practice squad, and his team carries a full 53-man roster throughout the entire season.
HERE IS WHERE EVERY BRONCO FALLS ON THE PRACTICE-SQUAD ELIGIBILITY SCALE:
FULLY ELIGIBLE
Bierria, Keishawn
Bobo, Bryce
Butt, Jake
Chapman, Mark
Chubb, Bradley
Cracraft, River
Diarse, John
Dielman, J.J.
Fleer, Austin
Freeman, Royce
Fumagalli, Troy
Hamilton, DaeSean
Holland, Jeff
Jewell, Josey
Johnson, Alexander
Johnson, Leon
Jones, Joe
Jones, Sam
Kelly, Chad
Knappe, Andreas
Lindsay, Phillip
Marshall, Trey
Moore, Jordan
Osborne, DeQuinton
Patrick, Tim
Rios, Marcus
Schlottmann, Austin
Simmons, Antonio
Sutton, Courtland
Thomas, Dymonte
Traylor, Austin
Williams, Dave
Yiadom, Isaac
ELIGIBLE IF 53-MAN ROSTER IS FULL
Cravens, Su’a
Hunter, Michael
ELIGIBLE AS ONE OF FOUR EXCEPTIONS
Anderson, Zaire
Bolles, Garett
Garcia-Williams, Jerrol
Gotsis, Adam
Henderson, De’Angelo
Heuerman, Jeff
LaCosse, Matt
Langley, Brendan
McKenzie, Isaiah
Parker, Brian
Peko, Kyle
Poutasi, Jeremiah
Smith, C.J.
Walker, DeMarcus
White, DeAndrew
Wilkinson, Elijah
INELIGIBLE
Barrett, Shaquil
Booker, Devontae
Brock, Tramaine
Davis, Todd
Garcia, Max
Harris, Shelby
Harris Jr., Chris
Janovich, Andy
Jones, Adam
Keenum, Case
Kerr, Zach
King, Marquette
Kouandjio, Cyrus
Kreiter, Casey
Leary, Ron
Leslie, Jordan
Lynch, Paxton
Lyons, Caushaud
Marshall, Brandon
McDonald, Clinton
McGovern, Connor
McManus, Brandon
Miller, Von
Paradis, Matt
Parks, Will
Peko Sr., Domata
Ray, Shane
Roby, Bradley
Rush, Marcus
Sanders, Emmanuel
Simmons, Justin
Stewart, Darian
Thomas, Demaryius
Thomas, Shamarko
Turner, Billy
Veldheer, Jared
Williams, DeShawn
Wolfe, Derek
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