Levis, Neal, and Joly Lead Surprising NFL Roster Cuts

Key points

• The NFL advanced the 53-man roster deadline to Sunday, August 30, at 6 p.m. ET, to accommodate the Week 1 matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams in Australia.
• Tennessee Titans released quarterback Will Levis, who missed the 2025 season with a shoulder injury and was outplayed by backups Mitchell Trubisky and Hendon Hooker.
• New York Giants released offensive tackle Evan Neal, the No. 7 pick in 2022, after four seasons; he struggled with injuries and failed to establish himself at the interior line.
• Denver Broncos cut tight end Justin Joly, the 152nd pick in 2026, despite an 88-yard touchdown in a preseason win, as he missed numerous blocks and struggled in camp.
• CBS Sports ranked Levis, Neal, and Joly among the 12 most surprising cuts, noting that Levis fell behind two backups, Neal was not part of the Giants' plans despite working with the second team, and Joly’s release was unexpected given his draft position and Senior Bowl accolades.

Background

The 53-man roster deadline is a critical moment in the NFL season, where teams trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players. This year, the deadline was moved up to accommodate an international game. Previous coverage noted that many players were expected to be cut, including those flagged by NFL.com as cut candidates. The Steelers, for example, waived several players, including Elandon Roberts and Malik Harrison, ahead of the deadline. The Raiders also made significant cuts, including Phillip Dorsett and EJ Williams, as they finalized their roster. The move of the deadline to Sunday at 6 p.m. ET was a notable change from previous years, when it was typically held on the Tuesday after the third preseason game.

How outlets are covering it

The Athletic focused on the specific players cut, highlighting Levis’s injury history and Neal’s four-season tenure. CBS Sports ranked the cuts by surprise, noting that Levis fell behind two backups, Neal was not part of the Giants' plans, and Joly’s release was unexpected. NFL.com predicted many of these outcomes earlier in the week, flagging players like Hardman and Danna as likely cuts. The sources generally agreed on the significance of the cuts but differed in their emphasis, with The Athletic focusing on the players’ backgrounds and CBS Sports on the surprise factor.

Why it matters

The 53-man roster deadline is a critical moment in the NFL season, where teams finalize their rosters for the regular season. The cuts of notable players like Levis, Neal, and Joly highlight the competitive nature of the league and the importance of performance in camp and preseason. The move of the deadline to Sunday at 6 p.m. ET also reflects the league’s efforts to accommodate international games, which are becoming more common in the NFL.

What to watch

Teams will now focus on their practice squads and finalizing their rosters for the regular season. The players cut may find new homes on other teams or in the practice squads. The NFL will also monitor the waiver wire for any players who are released and may be picked up by other teams. The focus will shift to the regular season, with teams preparing for their Week 1 matchups.