For players fighting to make NFL rosters, one date looms larger than any preseason game. Tuesday, August 26, at 4 p.m. ET marks the league’s annual cutdown day, when every team must slash its roster from 90 players to just 53. Dreams will be made and crushed in a matter of hours, all determined by decisions that have been brewing since training camp began.
What Does NFL Cutdown Day Mean for Teams?
NFL teams understand what they need to do, but the process involves more complexity than many fans realize. Teams can also stay active in making trades and moves before the deadline, creating a flurry of last-minute roster maneuvering.
The NFL Football Operations website lays out the specific guidelines teams must follow. Before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, all NFL teams have to trim their rosters to 53 players on the Active/Inactive List. This represents a massive reduction that forces difficult decisions on coaching staffs and front offices.
The key date for NFL roster cutdowns is Aug. 26 at 4 p.m. — that’s a week from today. Teams must get from the current 90 to 53 players, and then the next day can fill their practice squads once players clear waivers.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 19, 2025
The situation becomes more complicated for teams with players on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness lists. These players require specific handling under league rules.
According to the website, teams have these options:
- Place a player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable;
- Terminate or request waivers with the designation of Failed Physical or Non-Football Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable;
- Request waivers;
- Terminate a player’s contract;
- Trade a player’s contract;
- Continue to count the player on the Active List.
Additionally, the NFL Football Operations site notes that “Clubs are permitted to designate for return a maximum of two players who are placed on an applicable Reserve List during the business day of the final roster reduction.”
This designation counts toward a team’s total even if a player never returns to practice. Any player on the Reserve List or Exempt List that doesn’t count toward a team’s 90-player limit gets counted against the final roster total.
What Rules Are in Place for Practice Squads?
The roster construction doesn’t end with the 53-man cutdown. Teams can start forming their practice squads on Wednesday, August 27. For players placed on waivers when rosters get down to 53, the claiming period ends at noon Eastern on the same day.
The NFL allows teams to form 17-player practice squads “as long as one player qualifies and is designated as an International Player.” This creates another opportunity for players who get cut to remain with their organizations in a developmental capacity.
The rules also specify that “no club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a practice player contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.” This ensures fairness in the practice squad signing process.
NFL teams face intense pressure leading up to cutdown day. These final preseason games carry enormous weight for players on the roster bubble, while front offices scramble to evaluate talent and make trades. The entire league will watch closely as careers hang in the balance over just a few crucial hours.
