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The Pittsburgh Steelers have trimmed their roster to the league-mandated 53 players, and now the team has to wait for their players, and others who might have caught their interest from other teams, to clear waivers before they select the 10 players who will stay within the organization for a year while they wait for another chance to make the team in 2016.
Here are the rules and stipulations for any player to be retained on the practice squad:In order to be eligible for the practice squad, players must meet one of the following requirements:
- Have no prior Accrued Seasons in the NFL (An accrued season is six or more games on the active roster);
- Have one prior Accrued Season in which the player was on the 45-man active roster for no more than 8 games;
- Each club will be permitted to sign a maximum of 2 Practice Squad players who have earned no more than 2 accrued seasons of free agency credit;
- If served two seasons on a practice squad, are eligible for a third season only if the team has at least 53 players on its active/inactive list for the duration of that player's employment.
- A player has served one season on the practice squad if he is on the practice squad for at least 6 games. The rule previously required 3 games on the practice squad roster.
As news unfolds, BTSC will break it down into two areas: Rumors and signings until the team finalizes their practice squad.
Rumors:
Per NFL Insider Aaron Wilson, the Steelers will be signing OLB Howard Jones to the practice squad. This would be Jones' second year on the team's practice squad.
Cut by Steelers, Howard Jones headed to their practice squad, per source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 6, 2015
UPDATE: Per Aaron Wilson, Jones will be joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will receive his full salary, despite being on the practice squad he will be be paid his full salary. The Howard Jones era in Pittsburgh is officially over.
Howard Jones to Buccaneers' practice squad instead of Steelers, according to a source, for full salary
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 6, 2015
Signings:
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly signed two players to their practice squad. Jarrod West and Reese Dismukes.
Jarrod West to Steelers practice squad, per agent David Canter
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 6, 2015
Howard Jones to Buccaneers' practice squad instead of Steelers, according to a source, for full salary
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 6, 2015
The Steelers have released their full 10-player practice squad. Check out the complete list and breakdown right HERE.