Packers practice squad tracker: Green Bay builds a new 17-man additional group

The Green Bay Packers are building their 53-man active roster . On Wednesday, they can build a new 17-man practice squad to complement the group.

The NFL has decided that now the practice squad has 16 spots, plus an exemption for the International Pathway Program — Green Bay's designated player is Australian kicker Alex Hale .

Teams can start signing players to their practice squads on Wednesday, August 28th, at 11am CT.

This piece will be updated as soon as the Packers sign players to the practice squad.

Practice squad rules

Teams can have 16 practice squad players, plus a 17th one from the IPP as aforementioned. Ten players have to have at most one accrued NFL season, while there is no experience limit for the other six.

Practice squad players make $12,500 per week or $225,000 for 18 weeks. Veteran players with over two years of experience will make a minimum of $16,800 per week or $302,400 for 18 weeks.

Elevations

Over the last few years, the league adjusted the rules to create more roster flexibility. Teams can elevate up to two players from the practice squad for gameday per week. Each player can be elevated three times with the same team throughout the regular season. When the player is elevated, his weekly salary gets a bump to the active minimum payment — the exact amount depends on the player's experience in the NFL.

For the playoffs, there's no limit of elevations per player, even though each team can still only elevate two players for each game.

Practice squad candidates

Besides Alex Hale, who's expected to make the practice squad via the IPP, a couple of players have been mentioned as PS candidates for the Packers. The list includes tight ends Joel Wilson and Messiah Swinson, plus wide receiver Julian Hicks and running back Nate McCrary.

Related: Packers roster cuts tracker: Green Bay builds its initial 2024 53-man roster