Lotysz was a practice-squad player last season.

The 26-year-old Willig, who had been a practice-squad player and infrequent backup in 1992 and 1993, still is a virtual rookie in experience.

Washington is a practice-squad player, a fringe player whose career hangs by the thread of a team's shifting needs.

Even a practice-squad player, Greg Schorp, knew immediately what he had to do.

Jessie spent the 1997 season on injured reserve and Lamb was a practice-squad player.

This Saturday, Kowalewski and the seven other practice-squad players will stay behind to pick at the food scraps while their teammates head for Green Bay.

Like presidential speechwriters or designer suit makers, practice-squad players work hard behind the scenes so that the people in the spotlight can look their best.

Rutherford, a practice-squad player for the Raiders last year, was put on waivers by Oakland on Wednesday.

Dallas turned to Stoerner, who was a practice-squad player last season, but the Cowboys also quickly elevated Leaf to second string.

Evans, meanwhile, is a practice-squad player.