How Many Players are on an NFL Roster? Full Roster Rules, Breakdown

Lance Fernandez reveals the how many players must an NFL roster carry throughout an NFL season and what happens to those who don't make the cut.

August is the time NFL teams seriously consider finalizing their rosters. They will determine the athletes who will make the cut based on last year’s performance and their showcase during training camp.

However, unlike in previous seasons, when training camp rosters were reduced weekly, teams have more freedom in discerning roster cuts this year. However, they must finalize their lineup for Week 1 roughly a week before the season starts.

Coaches and front office executives will find it challenging to complete their rosters, especially for the last remaining spots. Unfortunately, they must do it according to the team composition they think will give them the best chance of winning games.

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How Many Players Are on an Active NFL Roster?

NFL teams must have a maximum of 53 players on their active roster before the specified deadline every year. For the 2024 season, that deadline will be August 27 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Therefore, 33 of the 90 players they invited to training camp won’t make it to the active roster. By September 4, one day before the 2024 season opener, the salaries of those 53 players must not exceed the $255.4 million salary cap.

Players listed under the physically unable to perform (PUP) list are included in the 53-man roster unless the team moves them to reserve/PUP. Conversely, players on injured reserve are excluded from the count.

I always wonder why nobody realizes that guys will be claimed from other teams roster cuts or traded for when discussing NFL roster depth .. it’s just not the guys who are in camp..

— sportz5176 (@daysofroarpod) August 6, 2024

NFL head coaches and their staff can structure the active roster as they see fit. For example, if they prioritize speed, they could have more wide receivers and defensive backs. Likewise, they can add more linemen if they want to dominate the trenches.

However, while 53 players will make the active roster, only 48 can play in every game. The other five are healthy scratches who still show up on the sidelines or travel with the team during road games.

What Happens to the Players Who Don’t Make the Active Roster?

The answer depends on whether the team holds on to them or completely sever ties with the player. Some players might not reach the active roster but are relegated to the practice squad, wherein they still receive a weekly salary.

However, they are not part of the main team unless activated. Practice squad players can also sign with another NFL team but cannot transfer to another practice squad.

Meanwhile, those no longer part of the team will have their fate determined by their playing years. NFL players with fewer than four accrued seasons will go on the waiver wire, where teams can claim them. After 24 hours, unclaimed players become free agents, allowing them to sign with any team. Likewise, NFL players with at least four accrued seasons will immediately become free agents.