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Roster Bubble

All articles tagged with #roster bubble

Lions Defense Faces Crunch as 53-Man Roster Bubble Narrows
sports1 month ago

Lions Defense Faces Crunch as 53-Man Roster Bubble Narrows

With the 53-man deadline at 6 p.m. ET, the Lions’ defense shapes the final cuts more than any unit, as staff project who stays across end, tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and safety groups. End: Hutchinson, Wonnum, Moore are in; Eric O’Neill is fighting for a spot. DT: McNeill and Williams in; Lacy and Gill-Howard pressing; Onwuzurike/Smith in flux; Stille making a late push. LB: Campbell, Barnes, Rodriguez in; Devin White and Trevor Nowaske near locks; Jimmy Rolder’s health could force an IR decision for LB5/6. CB: Reed, Ya-Sin, Abney in; Ennis Rakestraw and Nick Whiteside also in mix; Khalil Dorsey’s spot may hinge on special teams. S: Izien, Maddox, Harper in; Aamaris Brown added to the bubble amid safety injuries. Final calls will hinge on health updates and how many defensive spots Detroit wants to carry.

Dolphins Should Target Bubble Players for a Quick Roster Lift
sports1 month ago

Dolphins Should Target Bubble Players for a Quick Roster Lift

In a rebuild-heavy 2026 scenario, Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan should aggressively target affordable, high-upside veterans on the waiver or trade market to bolster the roster. Potential options include Jaguars CB Christian Braswell for corner depth and special-teams value, Cowboys edge rusher James Houston as a wildcard addition, and quarterback upside targets like J.J. McCarthy or Quinn Ewers to bolster the QB room behind Malik Willis.

Packers' Countdown to Cut Day: 7 Bubble Players to Watch in Cardinals Finale
sports1 month ago

Packers' Countdown to Cut Day: 7 Bubble Players to Watch in Cardinals Finale

Green Bay closes the preseason against Arizona with seven roster bubble players auditioning for spots on the 53-man squad — Pierre Strong Jr., J. Michael Sturdivant, Donovan Jennings, Anthony Campbell, Domani Jackson, Mark Perry, and Cal Adomitis — with emphasis on special teams, positional versatility, and a strong finale to secure a spot when final cuts arrive.

Packers' final preseason sprint: 23 players on the roster bubble
nfl1 month ago

Packers' final preseason sprint: 23 players on the roster bubble

Green Bay's final preseason week will determine most of the 53-man roster, with 23 players on the bubble as the Packers host the Cardinals for a joint practice and then a Friday night preseason finale ahead of Sunday’s cutdown. Key bubble candidates include QB Kyle McCord; RB Pierre Strong Jr.; WRs J. Michael Sturdivant, Isaiah Neyor and Will Sheppard; TEs Messiah Swinson and McCallan Castles; OL Darian Kinnard, Donovan Jennings, John Williams and Travis Glover; DL Jonathan Ford, Anthony Campbell and Nazir Stackhouse; EDGE Arron Mosby and Nyjalik Kelly; LBs Nick Niemann and Kristian Welch; CBs Kamal Hadden, Domani Jackson and Jaylin Simpson; S Mark Perry; and LS Cal Adomitis.

Lions' roster bubble sharpens: QB, WR battles headline cutdown week
sports1 month ago

Lions' roster bubble sharpens: QB, WR battles headline cutdown week

With cutdown day looming, Detroit's roster decisions center on QB depth, WR competition, and the interior line. The Lions appear to keep Jared Goff as the starter, with Josh Dobbs and Luke Altmyer battling for the QB3 role. In the backfield, Jahmyr Gibbs and Isiah Pacheco are the assumed top two, with Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors pushing for a fourth spot as Jabari Small returns from injury. At wide receiver, the top four (Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch) seem secure, while Tay Martin and Dominic Lovett contend for the next spots. On tight end, Tyler Conklin is in the mix and Jackson Meeks is on the bubble; on the offensive line, Detroit sticks with nine linemen, and with Cade Mays on IR, Seth McLaughlin is the leading backup center candidate, while Ratledge could factor at center depending on how the job shakes out.

Lions Week 2 roster bubble shifts: Altmyer battles for QB3, Wilson bolsters WR stock
sports2 months ago

Lions Week 2 roster bubble shifts: Altmyer battles for QB3, Wilson bolsters WR stock

Week 2 of the Lions’ roster-bubble coverage centers on offense: Luke Altmyer remains in the QB3 mix with a small vote dip signaling ongoing development; Jacob Saylors holds as the RB4 candidate despite Sione Vaki’s eye injury potentially reshaping depth. Cedrick Wilson Jr. has surged at wide receiver after a strong camp, while Dominic Lovett’s stock slides. Tyler Conklin stays the clear TE3 even as Miles Kitselman’s injury complicates the picture and Anthony Firkser’s return recovery is noted. On the line, Giovanni Manu’s injury narrows the tackle picture as Miles Frazier gets more reps, with Colby Sorsdal and Devin Cochran still behind, and interior OL contenders Bartch and Scruggs coping with health issues. Overall, injuries and camp performance are quietly reshaping Detroit’s offense depth ahead of cuts.

Lions' defense at camp: 20 players battling for roster spots
sports2 months ago

Lions' defense at camp: 20 players battling for roster spots

As the Detroit Lions open training camp, Pride of Detroit identifies 20 defensive players as roster bubbles across the end, tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and safety groups. The predictions were published before the team signed veteran linebacker Troy Reeder, a move that could reshape the linebacker competition and the hunt for a fifth defensive back in the 53-man mix.

"Preseason Showdown: Bridgewater and Lions Face Off Against Jaguars"
sports3 years ago

"Preseason Showdown: Bridgewater and Lions Face Off Against Jaguars"

The Detroit Lions are preparing for their preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with several players worth watching as roster cuts approach. Wide receivers Chase Cota and Dylan Drummond, undrafted rookies fighting for a spot, have shown promise in recent practices and preseason games. Backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has brought professionalism and mentorship to the team, while offensive tackle Germain Ifedi has stood out as a top performer on the offensive line. Linebacker Jack Campbell and edge rusher Julian Okwara have also made an impact, but face tough competition for roster spots.

"Vikings' Roster Bubble Shrinks as 4 Players Secure Their Spots"
sports3 years ago

"Vikings' Roster Bubble Shrinks as 4 Players Secure Their Spots"

Several players on the Minnesota Vikings roster bubble have improved their chances of making the team after the first preseason game. Jonathan Bullard's roster security is solidified due to a teammate's injury, Greg Joseph is likely to retain his kicking job, Jalen Reagor is standing out as a slot threat, and Luiji Vilain has impressed with his performance at outside linebacker.

"Predicting the Cowboys' Week 1 roster: 5 players who won't make the cut"
sports3 years ago

"Predicting the Cowboys' Week 1 roster: 5 players who won't make the cut"

The Dallas Cowboys have had a successful offseason, but as training camp begins, some players face long odds of making the final 53-man roster. One such player is defensive end Ben Banogu, who struggled to find a consistent role with the Indianapolis Colts. While his athleticism is impressive, the Cowboys' deep defensive end room and Banogu's lack of production make it unlikely he will make the team, unless he proves himself as a valuable special teams contributor.

"Undrafted Gems: 3 Browns UDFAs on the Roster Bubble to Keep an Eye On"
sports3 years ago

"Undrafted Gems: 3 Browns UDFAs on the Roster Bubble to Keep an Eye On"

As the Cleveland Browns begin their training camp, three undrafted free agents (UDFAs) stand out as players to watch on the roster bubble. Free safety Ronnie Hickman, known for his aggressive playstyle, could secure a spot as the 4th free safety. Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate, who impressed during his time at Utah, has garnered attention from the team with a significant guaranteed money amount. Defensive end Lonnie Phelps, with his high motor and solid run defense, offers potential upside. All three UDFAs will have ample opportunities to showcase their skills and potentially earn a spot on the Browns' 53-man roster.

"Carolina Panthers: Players to Watch and Roster Projections for 2023 Season"
sports3 years ago

"Carolina Panthers: Players to Watch and Roster Projections for 2023 Season"

The Carolina Panthers face tough decisions regarding their roster ahead of the 2023 season, with increased competition and new additions. Wide receiver Shi Smith may struggle to secure a roster spot due to the crowded wide receiver room and his lack of consistency. If the Panthers were to cut Smith, another team would likely be interested in acquiring him rather than allowing him to join their practice squad.