but it is a great question. I’d take the time to research it but I have a law school final tomorrow, so you guys are on your own for a bit.

Someone help this man!

on before the start of the regular season but I did find this from the New York Times.

Each National Football League team will be permitted to carry 49 players on its roster this year rather than the previous limit of 45, the N.F.L. Management Council announced yesterday.

Each week during the regular season, however, the teams will be required to relegate four players to an inactive list.

The remaining 45 will be allowed to dress for that weekend’s game. Players on the 49-man squad will be allowed to move back and forth from active to inactive status without being subjected to waivers.

The council said the change had been made because of the ’’uncertain labor situation.’’ The contract between the league and the N.F.L. Players Association expired July 15, and the association is not allowing individual negotiations for unsigned players.

’’The restrictions the union placed on signing and re-signing players make it more difficult to pick up players on waivers,’’ said Jack Donlan, the council’s executive director. ’’The increased roster limits mean that fewer players will be waived.’’

This not tobe confused with the normal 53 man roster..basically instead of being able to dress 45 at a game now we can dress 49. Hope that helps some.