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

Bobby Miller, who hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since July 9, will start in Glasnow’s place after being brought to St. Louis and placed on the taxi squad Friday.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s part of the taxi squad — a precautionary move in case Polanco does need an IL stint.

From Seattle Times

“You hear the things about OCD, like, I don’t know, have a clean apartment or care what ways the labels are looking — I didn’t know that OCD had other forms,” said Ingram, who was on the taxi squad for Nashville at the time and is now with the franchise in Utah.

From Seattle Times

Cooper says he was invited to spring training in 2023, put on a taxi squad and informed by Dusty Dellinger, senior manager of umpire administration, that women and minority candidates had to be hired first.

From Seattle Times

They flew right-hander Casey Lawrence into Denver and have him listed on the taxi squad.

From Seattle Times