The NFL has implemented changes to the practice squads in 2020 related directly to the coronavirus pandemic. Because it takes longer to get players into your building with testing, the league expanded practice squad rosters AND allowed for protection of players, meaning other teams can’t poach certain players on your practice squad. This helps ensure you’ll have enough players to field a team on Sunday even if a few folks are sidelined on the COVID-19 list.
For a full breakdown of all the changes, please read our report on the NFL & NFLPA agreement.
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane went through the details during a press conference on Sunday to explain some of the nuance to the new rules and why another team’s practice squad might not be the way to go.