NFL Practice Squad: Salary, Rules, Player Eligibility for Seahawks

UPDATE: The Seahawks signed quarterback Josh Portis, wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, linebacker Korey Toomer, tight end Sean McGrath, offensive lineman Rishaw Johnson, linebacker Allen Bradford, and safety DeShawn Shead to their practice squad. Danny O'Neil earlier reported that Edawn Coughman will be signed as well, so he may be the eighth and final member of the practice squad, but still no official word.

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NFL teams, as of 9am PST, are now permitted to begin signing eight players to their respective practice squads. For a brush up on practice squad eligibility rules, I go to the inimitable Brian McIntyre. Mac explains, "Eligibility for the practice squad is limited to players who do not have an accrued season in the NFL, or were on an active list (53-man roster) for fewer than nine games during their only accrued seasons. Players that have served two seasons on a practice squad are eligible for a third season only if the team has at least 53 players on its active/inactive list for the duration of that player's employment. A player will be considered to have served on a practice squad in a season if he were a member of a practice squad for three regular or postseason games during his first two practice squad seasons, or for one regular season or postseason game during a third practice squad season."

The minimum salary for practice squad members in 2012 is $5,700 per week, but teams can pay a player significantly more if another team is trying to add that to their active roster. Tori Gurley, for instance, was offered a position on the Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster last season, but instead opted to stay with the Packers on their practice squad with a nice raise (and a chance at the Super Bowl). Gurley, incidentally, in now a free agent again.

I'll add the Seahawks' signed practice squad players here as soon as they're announced. Mike Sando, over at the NFC West ESPN blog, lists the eligible players from the Seahawks (And NFC West teams) cutdowns. Big hat tip to Sando for that --

Eligible: Pierre Allen, Allen Bradford, Kris Durham, Cooper Helfet, Rishaw Johnson, Jermaine Kearse, Kyle Knox, Cordarro Law, Lazarius Levingston, Ricardo Lockette, Sean McGrath, Kris O'Dowd, Josh Portis, DeShawn Shead, Vai Taua, Korey Toomer, Lavasier Tuinei

Not eligible: Phillip Adams, Deon Butler, Paul Fanaika