Q&A: What is the practice squad in the NFL?

Former UConn quarterback Tyler Lorenzen spent the 2010 season on the practice squad of the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. Ex-Husky return specialist Larry Taylor was recently cut by the New York Jets, then signed a day later to their practice squad. What is the "practice squad" in the NFL?

- A Fan

Each NFL team may keep up to eight members on its "practice squad," in addition to the 53-member main roster. They consist mostly of rookies who were cut in training camps and borderline NFL-caliber players.

Both rookies and young veterans are eligible for the practice squad. However, a player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons, or if he has accrued a year of NFL experience (six or more games on a club's 53-man active roster or official Injured Reserve list).

If the player was on the active list for fewer than 9 games during their "only Accrued Season(s)," he maintains his eligibility for the practice squad.

Practice squad players practice alongside regular roster players during the week, but are not allowed to play in actual games.

They can be paid considerably less than active squad players: The current minimum salary is $5,200 per week for 17 weeks, or $88,400 per season, in comparison to the NFL minimum rookie salary of $285,000.

There are exceptions, however. In 2006, the New England Patriots paid third-year player Billy Yates the full $425,000 he would have earned on the active roster.

Players can be promoted to the active roster of their current team or to that of any other team.

They have free agent status and can sign with any team they wish without compensation to the original team, if they are released from the practice squad.

However, the signing must be completed at least six days before the signing team's next game (10 days if there is a bye).

Additionally, the NFL has a program through which foreign players may be assigned to teams' practice squads, called the International Practice Squad Program.

- Sources: Wikipedia and ehow.com