NFL considering expanding practice squads from 12 to as many as 16 players

In a move that could allow the Philadelphia Eagles to add more depth and versatility, Mike Garafalo of NFL Media is reporting that the league and NFLPA are in discussions on an expansion of the practice squads.

NFL practice squads were to expand from 10 to 12 players in 2020. Now, there’s internal talk about expanding to as many as 16 for greater roster flexibility for positive Covid tests, sources tell me and @judybattista. NFLPA would have to co-sign but that’s more jobs for players.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 18, 2020

Back in March, NFL players voted to approve a new collective bargaining agreement with the league’s owners that runs through at least 2030. The new CBA expands the NFL’s playoff field by two teams starting with this upcoming season and we’ll see the regular season expand from 16 games to 17 games as early as 2021.

Such a move would allow the Eagles to keep up to six extra players on the practice squad during the 2020 season as the league attempts to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.