Updated NFL Practice Squad Rules Fit Patriots Tendencies

The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed upon a bunch of new rules for the upcoming 2022 season. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo was among the first to report the new rules. The new practice squad rules will definitely excite Patriots fans. It’s a positive change and NFL teams will benefit from it.

The New England Patriots elevated a lot of players from the practice squad last year. Head coach Bill Belichick had to make these moves because the team struggled with COVID and injuries.

According to the new rules, players designated to return from injured reserve are eligible to see action after “four games have elapsed since the date he was placed on the applicable reserve list.” Players were eligible to return after three games.

The NFL and NFLPA also agreed to changes for the ramp-up period for training camp. The new changes also involve practice squads as confirmed by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

NFL teams can now have eight players allowed to return from injured reserve and/or the reserve/non-football injury/illness list to the active roster or the practice unit. A NFL player can return from injured reserve twice per season.

Practice squad rules support Patriots

Every NFL team can carry 16 players on the practice unit. This is a two man increase from the past season. Practice squad players can be elevated on game day three times. According to reports, elevation limits don’t apply to the postseason.

Patriots saw many practice squad elevations in 2021. They elevated four players for the wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. In 2021, Belichick elevated 15 players. This also includes starters Myles Bryant and Nick Folk.

These changes should make things easier for teams who struggle with injuries. The Patriots look healthy now, but we don’t know what happens next. It’s a long offseason and players can sustain injuries pretty easily. The pandemic seems to be under control, but the situation may escalate easily. There was a major outbreak in 2021 and NFL teams elevated players to finish games. Let’s hope that this scenario won’t happen again. We don’t need another outbreak.