The Buffalo Bills are in the process of trimming their roster to 53 players ahead of the NFL deadline. Teams must be at or under 53 players by 4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
But that doesn’t mean the roster shuffling is over. Every team’s practice squad has become essential for flexibility to develop talent, manage injuries, and prepare for the long grind of the season.
The rules and regulations governing the practice squad have evolved over time, and as we head into the 2025 NFL season, it’s crucial to understand how teams are leveraging this component of their rosters. There were no major NFL practice squad rule changes announced for the 2025 season, with the current rules remaining largely in place.
So with that in mind, here’s a reminder of the rules, salary details, and how veteran players fit into this dynamic.
When is the NFL Roster Deadline?
NFL teams must be at or under 53 players by 4 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 (“cutdown day”), at which time teams can submit a waiver claim for any released players that have accrued less than four seasons. If a player is claimed, they must be rostered — meaning they must occupy a spot on that team’s 53-man roster. Waiver claims are processed by 12 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and at that point, any unclaimed players can be signed to open practice squad spots.
Non-Vested vs. Vested Veterans
If a player has fewer than four accrued seasons, they’re considered non-vested and must go through waivers. If nobody claims them by the deadline, they become a free agent and can sign anywhere, including a practice squad.
Veterans with four or more accrued seasons don’t deal with waivers on cutdown day. Once they’re cut, their contract ends immediately, and they’re free to sign with any team’s practice squad or active roster.
Who’s eligible for an NFL practice squad?
Teams can carry 16 players, plus an extra spot reserved for an International Pathway Program player if they choose. Practice squad players practice with the team but don’t count toward the 53-man active limit.
- Player’s accrued seasons = less than 3: Most spots (10 of 16) go to players with two accrued seasons or less.
- Player’s accrued seasons = 3 or more: Six spots are open for vets regardless of experience.
Elevations to the active roster
This is where practice-squad strategy shines. Teams can elevate players from the practice squad to the active roster for a game without having to sign them to the 53-man roster. A player can be elevated up to three times in a season before they must be signed to the active roster. If a player is active on game day a fourth time, they must be signed to the 53-man roster.
NFL teams can elevate up to two practice squad players on game days to increase their roster to 55 players, but they can still only have 48 players dressed or “active” for the game. That means seven players must be declared inactive. When a player is called up for a game, after the game ends, the elevated players revert to the practice squad.
Signing NFL players from another team’s practice squad
Signing a player off another team’s practice squad requires the team to sign them directly to the 53-man roster. They are guaranteed three weeks of pay (at league minimum), even if they are released prior to the completion of the three weeks.
A practice-squad player cannot sign with his team’s upcoming opponent, unless he does so six days before the upcoming game or ten days if his team is currently on a bye week.
NFL Practice Squad salaries in 2025
- Player’s accrued seasons are less than 3: $13,000 per week.
- Player’s accrued seasons are 3 or more: $17,500–$22,000 per week (negotiable).
That counts against the cap, so even practice squad juggling affects Brandon Beane’s salary cap decisions.
Bills 2025 Practice Squad prediction
- RB Frank Gore Jr.
- WR K.J. Hamler
- WR Kristian Wilkerson
- OL Chase Lundt
- OL Richard Gouraige
- TE Zach Davidson (and undercover punter)
- QB Shane Buechele
- LB Edefuan Ulofoshio
- OL Travis Clayton (International Pathway Program)
- DB/LB Lewis Cine (Released from Eagles)
Why It Matters for the Bills
The practice squad has become more than just a waiting room. Last season, the Bills relied on multiple elevations to cover injuries. With head coach Sean McDermott’s emphasis on depth and versatility, expect Buffalo to use these rules aggressively again this year.
That’s why when cutdown day rolls around, it’s not necessarily “goodbye.” It might just be a “see you later.”
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