All articles tagged with #roster cuts
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost 4-0 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in their third preseason game, with prospects facing NHL veterans. While the young core showed improved possession and effort, defensive mistakes and goaltending errors proved decisive. The team is now in the final phase of preseason, with significant roster cuts and injury updates affecting the upcoming season.
WWE released ten performers in a new 2026 roster wave, per Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, marking the second major wave of cuts this year after WrestleMania; several names had ties to NXT, Evolve, or the WWE Performance Center.
The Seahawks’ Hard Knocks season finale offered a relatively calm, insightful look at roster decisions, highlighting emotional moments and fan engagement while confirming Montorie Foster’s spot on the team; coverage also notes a trade for Avery Smith to bolster the secondary and ongoing salary-cap strategies meant to keep the team’s Super Bowl window open, alongside broader Seahawks news and tributes.
The New York Jets signed quarterback Bailey Zappe to the practice squad days after releasing him, adding depth behind Geno Smith and rookie Cade Klubnik while leaving open questions about how many quarterbacks they’ll keep on the active roster versus the practice squad. The team also announced 16 additional practice-squad signings to finalize their 2026 roster.
After player cutdowns, Vikings, Steelers, Falcons and Eagles kept four quarterbacks (the Browns sit at five with Dillon Gabriel on IR), highlighting a trend toward asset management: safeguarding developmental QBs who can slip through waivers or fetch future trades, while balancing 46 active spots and the limited immediate value of QB-specific contribution. Notable items include the Jets naming Cade Klubnik the backup behind Geno Smith, the Rams’ aggressive spending on Aaron Donald (and other stars) to chase a big year, and the Dolphins claiming seven players on waivers—an indicator of broad roster reshaping as teams weigh long-term value against immediate needs.
The Jets trimmed to 53 on cutdown day and immediately dive into waiver claims and a 17-man practice squad, adding a mix of veterans and developmental players (including Troy Reeder, Nate Lynn, Jordan Clark, Mory Bamba, Samuel Womack, Jamaal Pritchett, Malik McClain, Marquis Hayes, Jack Heflin, Cam Camper, Payton Page, Bailey Zappe, Al-Jay Henderson, Xavier Newman, Paschal Ekeji as IPP, and Jaden Keller) while leveraging the waiver process to bolster depth. Kicker Blake Grupe was claimed off waivers, with Jason Sanders in a competition and the Jets waiving OL Kohl Levao in a corresponding move; in a separate note, Brady Cook was claimed by the Dolphins as part of the QB shuffle. This page serves as a live tracker for all waiver and practice-squad moves.
After the initial 53-man cutdown and waiver activity, the Dolphins’ roster featured clear winners and losers: winners DJ Herman (converted to fullback and proving versatile for special teams), Keith Cooper Jr. (emerging as a flexible, disruptive defensive lineman), Ryan Miller (waiver pickup who earned a 53-man spot), and Quinn Ewers (benefiting from a favorable move to Jacksonville); losers Tyrel Dodson (high 2026 cap hit, opening room for younger LB options), DT Matthew Butler (outpaced by Cooper), AJ Henning (waived after appearing to compete for a spot), RB Carlos Washington Jr. (not kept on the 53, added to practice squad), and EDGE Clelin Ferrell (failed to stand out). Cap considerations and camp performance largely dictated who stayed and who didn’t.
Bleacher Report's BR NFL1000 post-cut rankings preserve the same 10-team top tier, with Houston at No. 1, followed by San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and Baltimore in the top five (then Eagles, Lions, Broncos, Steelers, Bills). The piece emphasizes depth after roster cuts: Houston fortifies around C.J. Stroud with OL upgrades (Wyatt Teller, Braden Smith, Keylan Rutledge) and added weapons (Boutte, Thomas), while the 49ers and Rams still boast elite cores. Seattle navigates injuries but remains near the top, Baltimore adds impact pieces like Trey Hendrickson, and the rest of the group—Eagles, Lions, Broncos, Steelers—remain high-upside, playoff-ready rosters thanks to depth.
Following the initial 53-man cuts, the Cowboys are expected to pursue cornerback upgrades via the waiver wire or vested veteran signings, aiming to strengthen a thinner CB room anchored by DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel, and Cobie Durant. While Caelen Carson and Ameer Speed earned spots, health concerns around Bland have sparked chatter about additions, with Adoree’ Jackson or even a trade for Christian Gonzalez among potential targets.
As teams finalized their 53-man rosters over the weekend, several former Green Bay Packers landed spots across the league, while Green Bay's own roster includes an undrafted free agent, continuing a notable streak.
As teams finalize their 53-man rosters, the Bengals cut Cody Ford and are seeking swing-tackle options, with potential moves from waivers or the practice squad; they also released WR Mitchell Tinsley and Charlie Jones, signaling ongoing competition at wide receiver.
The Denver Broncos waived fifth-round tight end Justin Joly as they set their initial 53-man roster, with GM George Paton explaining the reasoning behind the decision.
Dallas’ initial 53-man roster includes undrafted rookie Camden Brown at wide receiver after a standout camp and preseason, while Jaydon Blue was left off the roster (likely to hit waivers or the practice squad). Dallas also boosted offensive-line depth with a trade for Broderick Jones and moved Nate Thomas to Houston, kept a two-quarterback backup setup behind Dak Prescott (Sam Howell and Joe Milton), and placed Marist Liufau and Devin Moore on Reserve/Injured-Designated for Return. The cuts reflect ongoing battles at cornerback, running back depth, and special-teams considerations as Dallas continues to shape its 53-man roster.
Bleacher Report highlights eight roster-cut shocks from deadline day: Bears traded DT Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Falcons for Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-round pick; Broncos waived rookie TE Justin Joly; Commanders kept only three cornerbacks; Cowboys cut Jaydon Blue, Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda; Falcons, Eagles, Steelers and Vikings kept four quarterbacks; Falcons released OT Wanya Morris; Panthers waived ILB Trevin Wallace; Steelers released ILB Elandon Roberts, signaling bold depth moves and post-cut strategies.
As teams finalize rosters at 53, the waiver wire opens to 13 players who could quickly contribute for new teams. The list covers versatile defensive backs, linemen, and backs (e.g., Bralyn Lux, Kapena Gushiken, Christian Jones, Will Putnam, Jordan Dunbar, Doneiko Slaughter, Gregory Desrosiers, Damonic Williams, Nate Lynn, Coziah Izzard, Mory Bamba, Sebastian Valdez, Melvin Priestly) with notes on their strengths and special-teams potential. It also reminds readers of the waiver rules: players with three or fewer accrued seasons go through waivers (priority set by 2025 standings), while vested veterans (four or more seasons) become free agents immediately. If claimed, these players could become immediate depth options for teams after cutdown day.