Commanders Begin Building 16-Man Practice Squad After Final Cuts

The Washington Commanders have trimmed their roster to 53 players and will start assembling their practice squad after the waiver period ends Monday at 1 p.m. ET. The team can carry up to 16 players, or 17 with an International Player Pathway exemption. The tracker will be updated as signings are announced, and players may be released, elevated, or signed by other teams throughout the season.
The practice squad formation follows Washington's reduction from 91 players to 53 over the weekend, with the waiver period expiring Monday at 1 p.m. ET before signings can begin. The team's initial active roster remains subject to change ahead of the Week 1 matchup against Philadelphia, and the practice squad will provide depth behind that group.
The squad can hold up to 16 players, or 17 with an International Player Pathway exemption, and remains fluid throughout the season. Any player on the list may be elevated to the active roster, released, or signed by another NFL team, requiring ongoing updates to the tracker as roster moves occur.
The practice squad process could affect players, coaches, and fans in meaningful ways. For fringe or undrafted players, a spot represents continued NFL opportunity and income, while the team gains flexible depth during a long season. Fans tracking these moves may gain insight into the organization's evaluation priorities, and the fluid nature of these rosters could influence early-season outcomes if injuries strike before the Eagles game.