A reader emailed me this afternoon and wanted to know of the 75 players on the active roster, which ones are eligible to be signed to the practice squad and what constitutes eligibility. First we go to the NFL rules on this:
What makes a player eligible for an NFL practice squad?
(a) The practice squad shall consist of the following players, provided that they have not served more than two previous seasons on a Practice Squad: (i) players who do not have an Accrued Season of NFL experience; and (ii) free agent players who were on the Active List for fewer than nine regular season games during their only Accrued Season(s). An otherwise eligible player may be a practice squad player for a third season only if the Club by which he is employed that season has at least 53 players on its Active/Inactive List
during the entire period of his employment.(b) A player shall be deemed to have served on a Practice Squad in a season if he has passed the club’s physical and been a member of the club’s Practice Squad for at least three regular season or postseason games during his first two Practice Squad seasons, and for at least one regular season or postseason game during his third Practice Squad season. (A bye week counts as a game provided that the player is not terminated until after the regular season or postseason weekend in question.)
Going by the rules above the Steelers have 22 players that qualify to be signed to the practice squad. This off course includes all (10) 2010 draft picks and the (4) undrafted free agents still on the roster. Also still eligible are (4) of the 2009 draft picks and (4) other 2009 undrafted free agents still on the roster. Rookie Chris Scott was placed on active PUP today and would be eligible for the practice squad if released following the 1st 6 weeks of season and clears waivers.
Eligible for 2010 Practice Squad
C/G Maurkice Pouncey
OLB Jason Worilds
WR Emmanuel Sanders
OLB Thaddeus Gibson
T Chris Scott – Placed on PUP 8/31
CB Crezdon Butler
ILB Stevenson Sylvester
RB Jonathan Dwyer
WR Antonio Brown
DE Doug Worthington
G/C Kraig Urbik
CB Keenan Lewis
RB Frank Summers
RDE Sunny Harris
DT Steve McLendon
RB Isaac Redman
WR Tyler Grisham
TE Eugene Bright
G/C Dorian Brooks
T Kyle Jolly
S Justin Thornton
S Da\’Mon Cromartie-Smith
