When are NFL roster cuts? 2024 53-man roster cutdown deadline date, new rules, practice squad salary & more

As the 2024 NFL season approaches, certain players will be released by their teams. These players include late draft picks, journeyman veterans, and even the odd Pro Bowler. Each team's goal is to find the best players for a long season, which requires making some difficult decisions during the preseason.

Let's look at NFL roster cuts, practice squad rules, and practice squad members' salaries.

When are the NFL roster cuts in 2024?

Every NFL team is required to submit their roster cuts by Tuesday, August 27, at 4 p.m. ET. The August 27 cuts will leave each team with a 53-man roster, plus 17 slots open on the practice squad.

Is there more than one NFL roster cut day?

No, there isn't. The league has only one roster cut day. There used to be more than one, but that practice was discontinued in 2023.

Hence, NFL teams are required to trim their rosters from 90 to 53 on Tuesday, August 27, at 4 p.m. ET. These cuts can be made before the deadline.

NFL roster cut rules

Like everything in the NFL, there are rules for roster cuts. According to Sporting News, here's the lowdown on how the league lays down the law for the cutdown day:

1. Players on the Non-Football Injury or Illness and Physically Unable to Perform lists will not count toward the 53-man roster. Hence, a roster spot must be created to add that player.
2. If a player is placed on the injured reserve list before deadline day, they can't return to the regular season. However, such a player can return only if placed on the IR after the deadline.
3. Players on the PUP list cannot return until after the franchise's fourth game of the season.

NFL practice squad rules

Here's a list of the rules for practice squad players in the NFL:

1. Each franchise can expand its roster to include 17 practice squad players, as long as one slot is reserved for an international player. Previously, practice squad rosters were limited to 16 players.
2. The league states that a franchise can only sign a player to a practice squad deal once all franchises have been informed.
3. Practice squad deals are not binding, meaning a player can immediately leave a franchise if offered a spot on another franchise's 53-man roster.

NFL practice squad salaries

There are two salary structures for NFL practice squad players. These structures are based on the number of seasons a player has played in the NFL.

Here's a look at the structures in previous years:

Players with two or fewer amassed seasons:

Year	Weekly Salary
2024	$12,500
2025	$13,000
2026	$13,750
2027	$14,500
2028	$15,250
2029	$16,000
2030	$16,750

Players with more than two amassed seasons:

Year	Minimum Salary	Maximum Salary
2024	$16,800	$21,300
2025	$17,500	$22,000
2026	$18,350	$22,850
2027	$19,200	$23,700
2028	$20,900	$25,400
2029	$20,900	$25,400
2030	$21,750	$26,250

Note: Both scales are determined via the CBA, which expires in 2030.