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Players on practice squads get very little public attention during the season, but teams sometimes rely on them heavily for depth during the week.

NFC West teams are carrying the maximum eight-man allotments heading into Week 4. My updated 26-column rosters, available for download here, feature players on practice squads and active rosters, plus former players and those on reserve lists.

The charts below break down positional counts for 53-man rosters and practice squads.

The St. Louis Rams have only seven offensive linemen on their 53-man roster, but with three more on the practice squad, they're able to function during the week.

The Seattle Seahawks have only two tight ends on their active roster, but they have three available to them for practice, plus Cameron Morrah, who remains on the physically unable to perform list, and John Carlson, who is on injured reserve. Former tight end Jamison Konz, now one of two defensive linemen on the practice squad, helps numbers at his current position.

A few notes on practice squad players, straight from the collective bargaining agreement:

• Practice squads are limited to eight players at a time.
• Players on practice squads are eligible to sign with any team's 53-man roster, but they cannot sign with their current team's next opponent later than 4 p.m. ET on the sixth day preceding the game (10th day during a bye week).
• Minimum salaries for players on practice squads are $5,700 per week in 2011 and 2012, escalating throughout the 10-year labor agreement. Salaries peak at $8,400 in 2020.
• Players are eligible for practice squads if they have zero accrued seasons, and when they spent fewer than nine regular-season games on an active roster in their lone accrued season.
• Players can spend two seasons on practice squads, with a season defined as three or more regular-season or postseason games. They can spend a third season on a practice squad, defined as one or more games, if their team keeps 53 players on its roster at all times.
• Any player signed from a practice squad to an active roster is guaranteed three weeks' salary at the 53-man level, even if he's released before spending that long on a roster. The player will count on the team's 53-man roster for three games, with a bye week counting as a game, unless the season ends first.

There are a few more specific rules, but these are the basics.

Bigger numbers for a position on a practice squad usually correspond with smaller numbers on the 53-man roster.

NFL rosters blew up Saturday. Teams will spend Sunday picking up the pieces even amid additional fallout.

Among the moves we've seen so far:

• The Seahawks released veteran nose tackle Kevin Vickerson although Vickerson seemed to look good during camp, even getting snaps with the first-team defense. This comes amid news that Seattle planned to sign veteran nose tackle Junior Siavii. The Dallas Cowboys terminated Siavii's contract Saturday. Scouts Inc. had this to say about him: "Siavii played in a backup role to Jay Ratliff at nose tackle in 2009 and showed decent power to hold the point as a run defender, but little strength to push the pocket when rushing the passer."
• The 49ers announced eight signings to their practice squad: quarterback Jarrett Brown, fullback Jehuu Caulcrick, linebacker Bruce Davis, receiver Kevin Jurovich, tackle Matt Kopa, linebacker Keaton Kristick, safety Chris Maragos and defensive lineman Will Tukuafu.
• The 49ers appear thin at inside linebacker after listing Matt Wilhelm among their cuts. Wilhelm was placed on injured reserve, giving the team five days to work out an injury settlement that could, in theory, make Wilhelm available to the team later. Wilhelm suffered a sprained knee against San Diego during the exhibition season.
• The Rams have signed receiver Danario Alexander, receiver Brandon McRae, offensive lineman Drew Miller, offensive lineman Ryan McKee and cornerback Marquis Johnson.
• The Cardinals claimed outside linebacker Cyril Obiozor and cornerback Brandon McDonald off waivers. Obiozor was active with Green Bay last season. McDonald has been a part-time starter in Cleveland. It's not yet clear which players the Cardinals plan to release.

We're early in the process. Many more moves to come, most likely.

NFL teams can begin signing eight or fewer players to their practice squads once the players clear waivers Sunday.

Players on practice squads earn $5,200 per week for the 2010 season. The collective bargaining agreement sets the following parameters for eligibility:

• Players without an accrued season of NFL experience;
• Free-agent players who were on the 45-man active list for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season;
• Players who have not served more than two previous seasons on a practice squad.

According to the CBA, "A player shall be deemed to have served on a practice squad in a season if he has passed the club's physical and been a member of the club's practice squad for at least three regular-season or postseason games during his first two practice squad seasons, and for at least one regular season or postseason game during his third practice squad season."

What about bye weeks? More CBA: "A bye week counts as a game provided that the player is not terminated until after the regular-season or postseason weekend in question."

The first chart shows eligible players released by the Arizona Cardinals. Chris Johnson, Alfonso Smith and Mark Washington were waived/injured. Dean Muhtadi was released from injured reserve.

The second chart shows eligible players released by the Rams.

The third chart shows eligible players released by the 49ers (Brandon Long was released with an injury settlement).

The fourth chart shows eligible players released by the Seahawks (Jonathan Lewis was released with an injury settlement).

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The 49ers announced seven signings to their practice squad Sunday. Sixth-round choice Bear Pascoe, a player the team once envisioned as a smashmouth blocking tight end, was not one of the seven players. J.J. Finley was the only tight end signed to the practice squad.

The other six initial members of the squad: tackle Alex Boone, receiver Dobson Collins, fullback Brit Miller, defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell, receiver Dominique Zeigler and running back Kory Sheets.

It probably wasn't a good sign for Pascoe when coach Mike Singletary told reporters Saturday that the NFL game appeared too fast for the former Fresno State player.

Five of the 49ers' seven 2009 draft choices earned spots on the initial 53-man roster. A sixth, Michael Crabtree, remains unsigned.

Roster counts by position for NFC West Pos. ARI SF STL SEA Avg. QB 3 3 3 3 3.0 RB 5 4 4 5 4.5 WR 7 6 4 5 5.5 TE 3 2 3 3 2.8 OL 9 8 10 9 9.0 DL 6 7 10 11 8.5 LB 8 9 6 6 7.3 DB 9 11 10 8 9.5 ST 3 3 3 3 3.0 Totals 53 53 53 53 53.0

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams continued tweaking their roster Sunday by claiming defensive tackle LaJuan Ramsey from the Titans and free safety Anthony Smith from the Packers.

This was probably just the beginning.

The Rams cleared room on their roster by releasing linebacker Quinton Culberson and receiver Nate Jones. That left the Rams with only four wide receivers on the 53-man roster. That number will certainly grow.

The team also signed six of the players it released Saturday to its practice squad, leaving two spots open. The six: linebacker K.C. Asiodu, tight end Eric Butler, defensive end Ian Campbell, linebacker Dominic Douglas, cornerback Cord Parks and receiver Sean Walker.

I'll pass along Scouts Inc.'s take on Ramsey. Scouts Inc. does not have analysis for Smith.

Scouts Inc. on Ramsey: Ramsey has some burst and initial quickness with above-average athletic skills. He has good functional play strength and flashes the ability to shed blocks quickly. He has good lower-body strength when he maintains his pad level at the point of attack. As a pass-rusher, he has adequate closing speed and flashes a variety of pass-rush moves.

Ex-Seahawks eligible for practice squad Pos. Jamar Adams DB Brandon Coutu K Brian De La Puente OL Marquis Floyd DB Na'Shan Goddard OL Courtney Greene DB Mike Hass WR Devin Moore RB Nate Ness DB Joe Newton TE Logan Payne WR Dave Philistin LB Andre Ramsey OL William Robinson OL Jeff Rowe QB

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

The Seahawks faced tougher decisions on the reduction to 53 players because some of their young prospects, notably receivers Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent, had no remaining eligibility for the practice squad following an injury-plagued 2008 season.

Defensive end Baraka Atkins, cornerback Kevin Hobbs and fullback David Kirtman are also among the recently released Seattle players without eligibility for the practice squad. Receiver Mike Hass also caught some fans' attention.

The chart shows recently released Seattle players who remain eligible. Safety Jamar Adams, kicker Brandon Coutu, safety Courtney Greene, receiver Logan Payne and tight end Joe Newton could be among the candidates.

Ex-49ers eligible for practice squad Pos. Jacob Bender OL Alex Boone OL Dobson Collins WR Pannel Egboh DL J.J. Finley TE Kyle Howard OL Terrail Lambert DB Brit Miller FB Khalif Mitchell DL Jay Moore LB Bear Pascoe TE Maurice Price WR Bill Rentmeester FB Justin Roland LB Kory Sheets RB Matt Spanos OL Joe Toledo OL Mark Washington LB Dominique Zeigler WR

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

NFL teams can begin forming eight-man practice squads once released players clear waivers this afternoon.

Every player the 49ers released on the reduction to 53 players -- minus cornerback Eric Green -- possesses eligibility for the practice squad. Tackle Alex Boone, guard Matt Spanos, fullback Brit Miller, defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell and running back Kory Sheets could make sense as options. The team will presumably keep one of the tight ends it released, Bear Pascoe or J.J. Finley. Cornerback Terrail Lambert could provide another option.

Some 49ers fans have expressed to me surprise over Sheets' release in particular. The depth San Francisco enjoys at that position made Sheets' release likely.

We likewise should not be surprised if backup running back Glen Coffee plays sparingly as a rookie. Like Sheets, Coffee showed promise during the exhibition games. But with offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye having already committed to Frank Gore as the workhorse back, there won't be many carries left over.

As long as Gore is healthy and his usually productive self, I think Coffee would have to break long runs when given opportunities to siphon significant carries in the No. 2 role.

Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Michael Adams DB Bubble Jameel Dowling DB Likely cut Wilrey Fontenot DB Likely cut Rashad Johnson DB Keeper Greg Toler DB Keeper Alex Field DL Likely cut Keilen Dykes DL Bubble Cody Brown LB Keeper Chase Bullock LB Likely cut Will Davis LB Bubble Ali Highsmith LB Bubble Pago Togafau LB Bubble Reggie Walker LB Likely cut Trevor Canfield OL Likely cut Ben Claxton OL Likely cut Herman Johnson OL Keeper Carlton Medder OL Likely cut Brandon Keith OL Keeper Brandon Pearce OL Likely cut Elliot Vallejo OL Bubble Tyler Palko QB Likely cut Brian St. Pierre QB Keeper LaRod Stephens-Howling RB Bubble Chris Vincent RB Likely cut Beanie Wells RB Keeper Early Doucet WR Keeper Ed Gant WR Likely cut Michael Ray Garvin WR Bubble Onrea Jones WR Likely cut Lance Long WR Bubble Steve Sanders WR Likely cut

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt's recent comments about LaRod Stephens-Howling highlight a subject likely to shape the team's plans for its practice squad.

What to do with a talented player who doesn't fit neatly into a general position, in this case, running back?

Stephens-Howling would be a prime candidate for the practice squad if the Cardinals did not initially make room for him on their 53-man roster. Specialist Michael Ray Garvin also could be a factor depending on how he recovers from knee surgery.

Quarterback Tyler Palko made an impression during the Cardinals' exhibition opener, but the team generally does not keep a quarterback on its practice squad. The need for an additional arm seems diminished with new quarterbacks coach Chris Miller sometimes throwing during practice.

Defensive end Keilen Dykes was making a strong push for a roster spot before suffering an injury. His status seems a bit less settled.

Receivers Onrea Jones and Lance Long could also be strong candidates for the practice squad if they do not land spots on the 53-man roster.

The chart shows all 31 current Cardinals players with eligibility, arranged by position.

NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

As the NFL puts it:

After 12 noon, New York ti
me, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons.

49ers eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Terrail Lambert DB Likely cut Reggie Smith DB Keeper Curtis Taylor DB Likely cut Carlos Thomas DB Likely cut Jahi Word-Daniels DB Likely cut Pannel Egboh DL Likely cut Ricky Jean-Francois DL Bubble Khalif Mitchell DL Bubble Diyral Briggs LB Likely cut Scott McKillop LB Keeper Jay Moore LB Bubble Justin Roland LB Likely cut Mark Washington LB Likely cut Brit Miller FB Bubble Matt Spanos OL Likely cut Cody Wallace OL Keeper Jacob Bender OL Likely cut Kyle Howard OL Likely cut Alex Boone OL Bubble Joe Toledo OL Likely cut Nate Davis QB Bubble Glen Coffee RB Keeper Bill Rentmeester RB Bubble Kory Sheets RB Likely cut Alex Romero ST Likely cut J.J. Finley TE Likely cut Bear Pascoe TE Keeper Mark Bradford WR Likely cut Dobson Collins WR Likely cut Maurice Price WR Likely cut Dominique Zeigler WR Bubble

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The quarterback race between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith commands much 49ers-related attention.

The race for the No. 3 job behind them deserves some attention. Veteran Damon Huard has a 15-12 record as an NFL starter. He provides value as an experienced backup. The team also wants to develop fifth-round rookie quarterback Nate Davis.

What to do?

Davis is a project. He will not help the 49ers this season. The question becomes whether another team would sign him to its 53-man roster if the 49ers waived Davis and tried to sign him to their practice squad.

As noted, NFL teams selected 19 quarterbacks in the fifth round from the 2000 through 2008 drafts. Eighteen earned opening-day spots on 53-man rosters as rookies. The Steelers' Omar Jacobs was an exception in 2006, the year Ben Roethlisberger opened on the bench following a motorcycle accident.

The factors that pushed down Davis in the draft -- notably a learning disability that the 49ers see as overstated -- still exist. If teams fear Davis might struggle to learn their system -- and for the sake of this discussion, it doesn't matter if such fears are justified -- the 49ers might have an easier time getting
Davis onto their practice squad.

What would you do?

The chart shows all 31 current 49ers players with eligibility, arranged by position. I left first-round choice Michael Crabtree off the chart because he has not signed with the team.

NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

As the NFL puts it:

After 12 noon, New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons.

The 49ers also face dilemmas at other positions, including what to do at receiver while Crabtree and Brandon Jones are not available, but that third quarterback race stands out.

Seahawks eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Jamar Adams DB Bubble Marquis Floyd DB Likely cut Courtney Greene DB Likely cut Michael Bennett DL Bubble Nick Reed DL Bubble Derek Walker DL Likely cut Kevin Brown DL Likely cut Red Bryant DL Keeper Aaron Curry LB Keeper Dave Philistin LB Likely cut Shane Simmons LB Likely cut Max Unger OL Keeper Mansfield Wrotto OL Keeper Na'Shan Goddard OL Likely cut Andre Ramsey OL Likely cut William Robinson OL Likely cut Kyle Williams OL Bubble Jeff Rowe QB Likely cut Mike Teel QB Keeper Dan Curran RB Likely cut Devin Moore RB Likely cut Brandon Coutu ST Bubble Cameron Morrah TE Bubble Joe Newton TE Bubble John Tereshinski TE Likely cut Michael Bumpus WR Bubble Deon Butler WR Keeper Mike Hass WR Bubble Logan Payne WR Bubble

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The race among Seahawks receivers for the last couple roster spots features high stakes.

Contenders Jordan Kent, Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor are no longer eligible for the practice squad. One or two of them could be finished in Seattle, at least for now, if they fail to earn spots on the initial -- not even close to final -- 53-man roster.

Kent and Taylor each were active for at least nine games last season -- Obomanu was active for 12 in 2007 -- as the Seahawks worked through catastrophic injuries at the position. That made each receiver ineligible for future practice squads.

Deon Butler, Mike Hass, Logan Payne and Michael Bumpus are the current Seattle receivers with eligibility remaining. Butler is expected to emerge from camp as the fourth receiver behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch and Nate Burleson.

The chart shows all 29 current Seahawks players with eligibility, arranged by position.

NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

As the NFL puts it:

After 12 noon, New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s).
A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons.

The situation at tight end remains quite competitive, with Joe Newton and Cameron Morrah likely competing for one roster spot behind John Carlson and John Owens.

The Seahawks face tough decisions on the defensive line, with Nick Reed and Michael Bennett fighting for spots on the 53-man roster. Baraka Atkins is not eligible for the practice squad after playing 12 games as a rookie in 2007 and nine more last season.

Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Perceived Status Marcus Brown DB Likely cut Bradley Fletcher DB Keeper Justin King DB Keeper Cord Parks DB Likely cut David Roach DB Likely cut Mark Rubin DB Likely cut C.J. Ah You DL Bubble Ian Campbell DL Likely cut Eric Moore DL Likely cut Darell Scott DL Keeper K.C. Asiodu LB Likely cut Dominic Douglas LB Likely cut Larry Grant LB Keeper Jerome Johnson LB Likely cut James Laurinaitis LB Keeper Davd Vobora LB Keeper Tim Mattran OL Likely cut Daniel Sanders OL Likely cut Roger Allen OL Bubble Roy Schuening OL Keeper Mark Setterstrom OL Keeper Renardo Foster OL Bubble Jason Smith OL Keeper Phil Trautwein OL Likely cut Eric Young OL Likely cut Brock Berlin QB Bubble Keith Null QB Bubble Chris Ogbonnaya RB Bubble Eric Butler TE Likely cut Jarrett Byers WR Likely cut Brooks Foster WR Bubble Nate Jones WR Bubble Sean Walker WR Bubble

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

More Rams players are eligible for the practice squad this summer after the team parted with a long list of aging veterans this offseason.

The chart shows all 33 current Rams players with eligibility, arranged by position. The team had 24 players eligible when I produced a similar list nearly one year ago.

The lists come in handy when analyzing battles for the final few roster spots. I've added loose status descriptions for eligible players based on my general expectations.

To review: NFL teams must reduce rosters from 80 to 75 players Sept. 1. They must reduce to 53 players Sept. 5. They can begin forming eight-man practice squads Sept. 6 at noon ET.

The league explains the process this way:

"After 12 noon, New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of eight players by signing free agents who do not have an accrued season of free-agency credit or who were on the 45-player active list for less than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s). A player cannot participate on the practice squad for more than three seasons."

The Rams have only one running back, seventh-round choice Chris Ogbonnaya, with practice-squad eligibility. Eight other NFC West running backs have eligibility.

I'll break out corresponding lists for the rest of the division, answering a frequently posed question that follows a familiar format: "Is so-and-so eligible for the practice squad?"

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams' roster shuffling continued today with linebacker Tim McGarigle's release as St. Louis made room for veteran newcomers Gary Stills and Ricky Manning. Eric Bassey, released yesterday, could surface on the Rams' practice squad upon clearing waivers. Until that happens, the Rams and Seahawks each have one practice-squad opening. The updated roided-out rosters tell you that and much, much more.

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Teams have filled all but a handful of spots on their practice squads, with one potentially confusing change this season. You've probably heard about "international" practice-squad players. The league has compelled teams to carry international players as part of efforts to expand its scope beyond traditional borders, but every practice-squad player is not the same.

Each team can sign eight players to its practice squad. International players do not count against these limits because teams cannot sign them to their active rosters. Non-international practice-squad players are relevant because teams can sign them to their 53-man rosters and make them active on game days. 

For example, the 49ers signed fullback Zak Keasey from their practice squad to the active roster in September last season. The Cardinals signed tight end Ben Patrick from their practice squad to the active roster in October. The Seahawks signed David Kirtman from their practice squad to their active roster in November. The Rams signed practice-squad quarterback Todd Bouman to their active roster in December. Etc.

International practice-squad players simply practice without any shot at joining active rosters or playing in games this season. One such player, Rolando Cantu of Mexico, played in an NFL game following a season in the international program. He was on the field for one special-teams snap with Arizona.

The league assigned 16 international players to teams in the AFC North, AFC West, NFC South and NFC West this season.

Note: The international program is not new, but the league has expanded it to include 16 players on 16 teams this season.

Rams eligible for practice squad Pos. Current Status Brock Berlin QB 53-man roster Chris Long DE 53-man roster John Greco OL 53-man roster Donnie Avery WR 53-man roster Roy Schuening OL 53-man roster Chris Chamberlain LB 53-man roster David Vobora LB 53-man roster Derek Stanley WR Practice Squad C.J. Ah You DL Practice Squad Russ Weil FB Practice Squad Marc Magro LB Practice Squad Lance Ball RB Practice Squad Dustin Fry OL Practice Squad Darius Vinnett CB Practice Squad Mark LeVoir OL 53-man roster (Pats) Marques Hagans WR Practice Squad (Chiefs) Julius Wilson OL Practice Squad (Bucs) Cortney Grixby DB Waived Nick Cleaver TE Waived Marcus Riley LB Waived Donovan Raiola OL Waived Henry Smith DL Waived Willie Williams DL Waived Matt Caddell WR Waived Tanard Davis DB Waived

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams have filled seven of eight spots on their practice squad. Cornerback Darius Vinnett was the notable addition; he previously slipped through the cracks when I listed Rams players with practice-squad eligibility.

Derek Stanley provides needed practice depth at receiver. Injuries continue to affect that position for the Rams.

The Patriots' signing of Mark LeVoir to their active roster surprised me. The Rams lack depth on the offensive line after placing Mark Setterstrom and Brandon Gorin on injured reserve. But the Patriots' might be even more desperate for help at tackle. New England has considered everyone but Bruce Armstrong as potential stopgaps at the position this summer. We'll see how long LeVoir lasts.

Update: The Chiefs signed Marques Hagans to their practice squad. Earlier in camp, a scout for another team asked me if I thought Hagans would earn a roster spot. Hagans' potential as a return specialist had caught his attention. 

Julius Wilson obviously has some talent. He went from the Dolphins to the Rams to the Bucs' practice squad in a short time period. Scouts must see potential.

I watched Wilson struggle terribly during the Rams scrimmage.

As noted then: "Defensive end Eric Moore beat [Wilson] for what would have been a sack on Brock Berlin. [Marc] Magro tossed Wilson to the outside and surged forward for what would have been a free shot on Berlin. Shortly thereafter, running back Lance Ball was gliding along for what should have been an easy touchdown, but a linebacker slammed him to the ground in front of Wilson as Ball crossed the goal line.

Cardinals eligible for practice squad Pos. Cardinals Status Calais Campbell DE 53-man roster Tim Castille FB 53-man roster Dominique Rodgers- Cromartie CB 53-man roster Early Doucet WR 53-man roster Tim Hightower RB 53-man roster Kenny Iwebema WR 53-man roster Brandon Keith OL 53-man roster Ben Patrick TE 53-man roster Elliot Vallejo T 53-man roster Brian St. Pierre QB 53-man roster Ali Highsmith LB 53-man roster Lance Long WR Practice Squad Pat Ross OL Practice Squad Michael Adams CB Practice Squad Jason Banks DL Practice Squad Keilen Dykes DL Practice Squad Onrea Jones WR Practice Squad Wilrey Fontenot CB Practice Squad Dennis Keyes S Waived Carlton Medder OL Waived Brent Miller TE Waived DeMario Minter CB Waived Anthony Morelli QB Waived Alex Shor TE Waived Chris Vincent RB Waived Travarous Bain CB Waived Steve Baylark RB Waived Peter Clifford OL Waived Chris Harrington LB Waived Jasper Harvey OL Waived

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Cardinals' practice squad is coming together with the signing of seven players. One spot remains open. Five of the seven spent training camp with Arizona. Two others, receiver Onrea Jones and cornerback Wilrey Fontenot, were elsewhere.

The chart shows every Cardinals player with practice-squad eligibility.

Re-signing Pat Ross to the practice squad gives the Cardinals needed depth at the position. The team couldn't justify setting aside a spot on its 53-man roster for him, and that made sense. Ross isn't one of the Cardinals' 53 best players.

But with starting center Al Johnson sidelined for the short term, the team wasn't going to proceed with only Lyle Sendlein at the position.

The Cardinals
liked offensive lineman Elliot Vallejo's potential enough to carry him on the 53-man roster. They also thought linebacker Ali Highsmith, though undrafted, played well enough this summer to catch scouts' attention around the league.

This is the tough part for NFL teams. They tend to overvalue their own practice-squad-eligible prospects -- not enough to sign them to the 53-man roster, but enough to sweat the time it takes for these players to pass through waivers. The fear isn't justified most of the time.

Lance Long had a very good rookie camp for the Cardinals. No one signed him. Jamar Adams and Michael Bumpus had strong camps for Seattle. The 49ers like running back Thomas Clayton and receiver Dominique Zeigler.

Yet, these players made it through waivers. Other teams can sign them at any time, but teams get comfortable with their own players. They rarely sign players from another team's practice squad. When they do, it's usually a short-term fix.