As the 4 p.m. ET deadline approached on Tuesday, NFL teams were racing against the clock to trim their rosters from 90 players down to 53. It was a tumultuous day as several notable players found themselves suddenly scrambling for new opportunities.
Major Cuts Across the League
This year’s roster cuts saw some significant and unexpected releases. The Baltimore Ravens made headlines as they cut wide receivers Sean Ryan, Russell Gage, and Anthony Miller. Tight ends Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Qadir Ismail, and Scotty Washington were also shown the door. The offensive line did not escape the axe either, with Tashawn Manning and Darrell Simpson released, alongside defensive lineman Tramel Walthour, punter Jack Browning, cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams, quarterback Emory Jones, and running back Chris Collier.
The Denver Broncos made sweeping changes in their linebacker corps, parting ways with Jonas Griffith and Jaylon Allen. Wide receiver Jalen Virgil also saw the end of his tenure in Denver.
Packers and Texans Reshape Their Rosters
The Green Bay Packers’ roster cuts included offensive lineman Royce Newman and offensive tackle Caleb Jones. Additionally, quarterbacks Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford, kicker Anders Carlson, and wide receivers Jalen Wayne and Samori Toure didn’t make the final cut. Defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu also found himself on the outside looking in.
In Houston, the Texans decided to release cornerbacks Mike Ford, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and C.J. Henderson as part of their secondary overhaul. Wide receivers Noah Brown and Quintez Cephus, safety Desmond King, quarterback Tim Boyle, and wide receiver Jaden Janke were also let go in the finals roster changes.
Raiders, Saints, and Jets Announce Surprising Cuts
The Las Vegas Raiders made quarterback choices worth noting as Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman were released. Jeff Foreman, a wide receiver, and defensive back Wood Governor also did not make the final squad.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints significantly reshaped their defense and special teams, cutting defensive end Niko Lalos, and safeties Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Ugo Amadi, and Johnathan Abram. Punter Lou Hedley and kicker Charlie Smyth also found themselves without a team. Offensively, the Saints parted ways with wide receivers Samson Nacua and Equanimeous St. Brown, as well as linebacker Khaleke Hudson. The offensive line cuts included Josiah Ezirim, Tremayne Anchrum, Shane Lemieux, and center Sincere Haynesworth. Defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat was also among the released players.
The New York Jets made fewer impactful cuts but still saw the release of defensive back Tre Swilling, running back Xavian Valladay, and tight end Neal Johnson.
Eagles, Seahawks, and Buccaneers Make Final Decisions
In Philadelphia, the Eagles released wide receiver Parris Campbell and quarterback Will Grier, signaling a restructuring in those positions. Tight ends E.J. Jenkins and C.J. Uzomah, defensive back Parry Nickerson, and guard Max Scharping also did not make it beyond the deadline.
The Seattle Seahawks made significant reductions, especially among their tight ends and wide receivers. Tyler Mabry and Michael Ezeike were cut, as were D'Wayne Eskridge and Easop Winston. Defensive ends DeVere Levelston and Jamie Sheriff were also released. Additionally, decisions to let go of defensive tackle Mario Kendricks, linebackers Easton Gibbs, Jon Rhattigan, and Devin Richardson, safety Ty Okada, running back George Holani, and defensive back Willie Roberts rounded out their roster adjustments.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers parted ways with wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman Eric Banks, and linebacker Randy Gregory as they moved to finalize their squad for the upcoming season.
Washington Commanders and Comprehensive Team Actions
The Washington Commanders also had no shortage of roster changes, cutting defensive ends Andre Jones and KJ Henry, wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Brycen Tremayne, and several more. They released wide receivers Martavis Bryant, Mitch Tinsley, and Davion Davis, as well as running backs Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley. Their secondary saw significant changes, with cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, A.J. Woods, Nick Whiteside II, Tariq Castro-Fields, and James Pierre all being cut. Julian Good-Jones, a guard; center J.C. Hassenauer; linebacker Bo Bauer; defensive back Ben Nikkel; and kicker Riley Patterson were also released.
These roster changes highlight the ever-evolving and often ruthless nature of the NFL. Teams finalized their initial 53-man rosters as the deadline hit, completing another dramatic phase in this NFL season's build-up.