Here's the Panthers first 2016 season practice squad, courtesy of David Newton:
The Panthers did not sign running back Brandon Wegher to the practice squad. But they... https://t.co/7nuRJOt4zV pic.twitter.com/8vL0wb4Aju
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) September 4, 2016
Let's first start with a convo about some players not on the practice squad.
Running back
For instance the Panthers elected to add Jalen Simmons and not Brandon Wegher as Newton points out. My guess is that the Panthers didn't see the growth in him as a player as compared to what Cameron Artis-Payne showed. That just might be bad luck on Wegher's part, being a rookie UDFA at a position the team drafted a player at. I'm betting Wegher gets another shot somewhere.
Tight End
No Marcus Lucas on the practice squad? Though Lucas came from the 2014 draft I don't think he's played in any games. I guess with Sandland already there they couldn't fit him. I hope to see him back at some point, he has potential.
Cornerback
I'm sad to see Lou Young not on the practice squad. It's the Homerism in me though. Young was given a solid chance to win a job in the secondary and he obviously didn't do enough. I wish him luck going forward.
Practice squad basics
- Each NFL team can have up to 10 players on its practice squad.
- Practice squad players ... practice with the team. They do not play in games.
- Not all players are eligible to be signed to NFL practice squads (see new rules on eligibility above).
- Practice squad players are paid per week and can be released at any point during the season.
- Practice squad players are free to sign with other NFL teams, but they have to be signed to the 53-man active roster of the acquiring team. A practice squad player cannot be signed to another practice squad unless he is first released.
- A practice squad player can not sign with his team's upcoming opponent, unless he does so six days before the upcoming game or 10 days if his team is currently on a bye week.
- If a practice squad player is signed to the active roster, he will receive a minimum of three weekly paychecks, even if he is released before spending three weeks with the new team.
- In order to be signed to a practice squad after being released, a player must first clear waivers, and is subject to waiver claims by other teams