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As the NFL considers options to deal with Covid-19, one that appears likely is an expansion of the number of players allowed on the practice squad. The number was set to rise from 10 to 12 this season, but now could go up to 16 total players for each team, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. The hope is that extra practice squad members would be available to replace any players who test positive for Covid-19.
The NFL Players Association will need to sign off on the move and could propose expanding the 53-man roster instead of or in conjunction with the expansion of the practice squad. But, in the end, the NFLPA will likely sign off on any expansion of players getting a paycheck.
We’ve recently seen star running back Ezekiel Elliott and other Cowboys and Texans players test positive for Covid-19. If a player has no symptoms, but tests positive during the season, he would be quarantined and miss time. The NFL is rightfully worried that positive tests could run their season into the ground.