[Mick]

Just to round out the compensation discussion...every NFL team has a practice squad and can have up to eight players on that squad.  Those players practice with the team, but do not play in games.  They are paid by the week and can be released at any point.  If a practice squad player makes the 53 man roster, he gets a minimum of three NFL minimum weekly paychecks.

The practice squads are deemed to be developmental, meaning that any player with a minimum of six games during a full year of NFL experience (combined) is ineligible to make a practice squad.  A player can be on the developmental squad for two seasons, or three if his team does not go below the maximum 53 players on the team.

Practice squad players are allowed to sign with any NFL team, providing they make that team's 53 man roster.  He can't be signed to another team's practice squad unless his original team grants him his outright release.  Also, a practice squad player cannot sign with the upcoming opponent, unless they do so a minimum of six days before the game (or 10 days if the team has a bye week).

Players make a minimum of $6,000 per week every week they are on the developmental squad, up to $102,000 if they are on the developmental team for the full year.  Teams are allowed to pay them more than the minimum (Tampa Bay offered Dezmon Briscoe the full NFL minimum salary) but they count against the salary cap. 

[Mick]

Just to round out the compensation discussion...every NFL team has a practice squad and can have up to eight players on that squad.  Those players practice with the team, but do not play in games.  They are paid by the week and can be released at any point.  If a practice squad player makes the 53 man roster, he gets a minimum of three NFL minimum weekly paychecks.

The practice squads are deemed to be developmental, meaning that any player with a minimum of six games during a full year of NFL experience (combined) is ineligible to make a practice squad.  A player can be on the developmental squad for two seasons, or three if his team does not go below the maximum 53 players on the team.

Practice squad players are allowed to sign with any NFL team, providing they make that team's 53 man roster.  He can't be signed to another team's practice squad unless his original team grants him his outright release.  Also, a practice squad player cannot sign with the upcoming opponent, unless they do so a minimum of six days before the game (or 10 days if the team has a bye week).

Players make a minimum of $6,000 per week every week they are on the developmental squad, up to $102,000 if they are on the developmental team for the full year.  Teams are allowed to pay them more than the minimum (Tampa Bay offered Dezmon Briscoe the full NFL minimum salary) but they count against the salary cap.