The NFL plans to introduce, for the first time in league history, a practice squad of up to 12 game officials this season, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert and Kalyn Kahler.
As part of the new collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association, the refs in the practice squad will be assigned to specific officiating crews, travel to stadiums, and be available to work games if a starting official is injured or performing poorly, Seifert and Kahler add.
The league will also reportedly elevate practice squad members to work regular-season games for developmental purposes.