taxi squad

noun

, Football.

1. (formerly) a group of players under contract to and practicing with a professional team who are not on the team's roster as playing members and therefore are ineligible to play in official games.
2. the four extra players on a professional football team's roster who are not allowed to suit up for an official game but who are ready to join the team at any time to replace injured or unsuccessful players.

Other Words From

• taxi-squad adjective
• taxi-squadder noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of taxi squad¹

An Americanism dating back to 1945–50

Example Sentences

Peca, who will mostly work with the taxi squad, played under Laviolette with the New York Islanders in the early 2000s.

From Washington Post

There will be other tricks that BriseBois will need to try out over the course of the season to remain cap-compliant, like rotating players in and out of the taxi squad to save money on their daily cap hit.

From FiveThirtyEight

Center Michael Sgarbossa did, too, slotting in as the fourth-line center instead of Brian Pinho, who was reassigned to the taxi squad.

From Washington Post

Laviolette said center Brian Pinho, who was on the taxi squad as of Thursday afternoon, probably will make his regular season debut Friday night.

From Washington Post

Assuming he clears waivers Thursday, he is expected to be added to the taxi squad.

From Washington Post