EAGAN, Minn. — The 2025 preseason has wrapped, and now NFL front offices must reduce their rosters to a maximum of 53 players by 3 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, Aug. 26.

Here is a rules refresher ahead of roster reductions.

The Vikings operated with 91 players during training camp, a total expanded from the 90-player limit by the inclusion of International Player Pathway participant Oscar Chapman, who has been competing with Ryan Wright at punter.

That number also included rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew, who has been on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list for all of training camp.

Per NFL policy, teams with players who are categorized as Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness "must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; terminate or request waivers with the designation of Failed Physical or Non- Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List."

If a player is placed on the Reserve/PUP list during roster cutdowns, he does not count against the 53-player limit but is required to sit out the first four games.

Each team can designate for return a max of two players who are placed on "an applicable Reserve list during the business day of the final roster reduction."

Any players who are designated for return count against a team's maximum of eight players to designate for return throughout the entire season (teams that make the playoffs are allotted a max of 10 players returning), even if those players do not return to practice. Any player placed on the Reserve/PUP list before roster reductions is required to miss the entire season.

Roster Reductions

To reduce rosters, teams must either waive, release or trade players.

Players with fewer than four accrued NFL seasons are waived, making them available to be claimed by another team within the claiming period. The waiver priority order at this part of the calendar is the same as the draft order. If a player is not claimed during the 24-hour period, he becomes a free agent.

Players with four or more accrued seasons are vested veterans and become free agents immediately after their release. This policy continues until after the trade deadline, which is 3 p.m. (CT) on Nov. 4. Following that, all players go through waivers (priority claim will be based on standings).

Teams also might waive players with an injury designation. When that happens, a player can be claimed by another team. If the player goes unclaimed during the period, he reverts to Injured Reserve. The player can remain with the club or be released with an injury settlement.

During roster reductions, the claiming period for players who have been placed on waivers will expire at 11 a.m. (CT) on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

What moves happened prior to Monday morning?

Minnesota began its reduction last week. First, the Vikings traded veteran defensive lineman Harrison Phillips to the Jets in a deal involving future draft picks. On Sunday, the Vikings traded QB Sam Howell, who had been previously acquired in a deal with the Seahawks, to the Eagles in another deal involving future picks and agreed to terms with veteran QB Carson Wentz.

Minnesota also announced a first wave of roster reductions involving 11 players (nine were waived, and two veterans had their contracts terminated).

The moves put the Vikings roster at 79 players entering Monday, Aug. 25.

What about practice squads?

Once teams are informed of claims leaguewide through the NFL's Personnel Notice, they may establish a practice squad of up to 17 players (including one International Player).

A maximum of six veterans (any number of accrued seasons) are eligible to be on a team's practice squad.

Does the International Player Pathway exemption extend to the active roster?

No, teams cannot create a 54^th spot on the active roster through the IPP program. They can, however, have a 17^th player on their practice squad, which is otherwise capped at 16.

How many QBs dress on a game day?

Teams are able to dress a third QB for emergency situations, but those players must be on the 53-man roster.

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