Matayo's brother wins an NFL job as backup to Justin Herbert
Former Clemson, Oregon State and Florida State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Oregon star Matayo Uiagalelei's brother, won a spot on the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback behind Pro Duck Justin Herbert.
In their first two seasons practice squad players make a fixed salary of $13,000 per week while veterans and their agents can negotiate more, up to $25,850. They are paid weekly, and receive a prorated NFL minimum if activated to the 53-man roster, $840,000 annually.
Practice squad members practice with the team and attend meetings but don't suit up for games unless activated. They can get a bonus and a ring if their team wins a Super Bowl.
Teams carry up to 16 players on the practice squad, and those athletes travel with the team to road games. Practice squad players can be taken by another team, but only if activated to the 53-man roster. They can't move directly from one practice squad to another.
Dan Lanning places 22 on active NFL rosters, 11 on practice squads
Undrafted free agent Nikko Reed made the 53-man roster with the Chargers, while 11 of Lanning's former players at Oregon gained spots on practice squads around the league, including:
Offensive lineman Steven Jones, to Pittsburgh
Outside linebacker Bradyn Swinson to New England
Defensive tackle Taki Taimani to Minnesota
Offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton to Denver (Cristobal era)
Receiver Traeshon Holden to Dallas
Cornerback Thomas Graham to Baltimore (Cristobal era)
Defensive tackle Treven Ma'ae Raiders
DB Jabbar Muhammad Jacksonville
TE Patrick Herbert Jacksonville
🚨BIG TEN RECORD PREDICTIONS🚨 pic.twitter.com/PWoWICJPrp
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) August 27, 2025
Per @spotrac, Oregon has the ninth most NFL players on active rosters, with the sixth highest combined active earnings. https://t.co/ZmzBzQQdOQ https://t.co/TgV9jfGvIj
— Erik Skopil (@Erik_Skopil) August 27, 2025