It’s NFL cutdown day. Every team in the league had to reduce their roster to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET, which meant hundreds of players had to be purged.
Many of these players will find their way onto an NFL practice squad in the coming days, but they’re available for now. Vested veterans (players with at least four years of experience) will immediately hit the open market after being released, while players with less than four seasons in the league will go on the NFL’s waiver wire.
Here are the most notable NFL roster cuts from Tuesday.
Most Notable NFL Roster Cuts
Arizona Cardinals | QB Desmond Ridder
Neither the Cardinals nor the Falcons won this offseason’s Ridder-Rondale Moore trade. Moore is out for the year after suffering a training camp knee injury, while Arizona cut Ridder on Tuesday.
Ridder, a third-round choice in the 2022 NFL Draft, started 13 games for the Falcons last year but continuously struggled with interceptions and fumbles. He ranked sixth among quarterbacks with 19 total turnovers despite taking just 439 dropbacks (23rd among QBs) in 2023. His six red-zone turnovers led the NFL.
According to TruMedia, Ridder generated the league’s third-most negative EPA off turnovers; he was second-worst on a per-snap basis.
For now, 2023 fifth-rounder Clayton Tune is Kyler Murray’s backup in Arizona. Tune made one start in his rookie campaign; his 18.5% passing success rate was the NFL’s fourth-worst single-game mark last year.
Atlanta Falcons | CB Natrone Brooks
Brooks almost made the Falcons’ 53-man roster as a 2023 rookie undrafted free agent out of Southern Mississippi. After spending last year on Atlanta’s practice squad, Brooks posted another standout training camp and preseason but still got cut. The Falcons ultimately kept just five cornerbacks on their opening roster.
Baltimore Ravens | WR Russell Gage
Gage only spent three weeks on Baltimore’s roster, but he was the most notable name who earned his walking papers this week.
Now 28, Gage posted 700+ yards with the Atlanta Falcons in 2020 and 2021. He spent last season on the Tampa Bay Buccanneers’ injured reserve list after suffering a torn patellar tendon in training camp.
Buffalo Bills | WR Tyrell Shavers
Shavers impressed throughout training camp, earning praise for Bills head coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen. A 2023 UDFA out of San Diego State, Shavers spent his rookie season on Buffalo’s practice squad.
While he only hauled in four catches for 28 yards this preseason, Shavers looked like a favorite for a roster spot with the Bills, especially with veteran pass catchers Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling dealing with injuries. If he clears waivers, Shavers will probably find his way back to Buffalo’s taxi squad.
Carolina Panthers | WR Terrace Marshall Jr.
While Marshall has undoubtedly struggled since joining the Panthers as a 2021 second-round pick (just 767 receiving yards in three seasons), there was some thought he’d stay on as a depth piece under new head coach/offensive play-caller Dave Canales.
Instead, Carolina tried to trade Marshall; when that failed, they waived the LSU product on Tuesday.
The 6’2″, 200-pounder reportedly had a solid training camp and should find an NFL landing spot, potentially as a Big Slot.
Chicago Bears | CB Reddy Steward
The Bears boast their best roster in years, which means general manager Ryan Poles had to make a few tough decisions.
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One of those strenuous calls was probably cutting ties with Steward, who emerged over the summer after signing with Chicago as an undrafted free agent. The Troy product ranked 19th among rookie CBs in passer rating and 23rd in PFF coverage grade during the preseason.
Cincinnati Bengals | OL Trey Hill
Most of the Bengals’ cutdown-day transactions were relatively cut and dry, but Hill had a chance to sneak onto the club’s roster as a reserve interior lineman. He’d been Cincinnati’s backup center for three seasons but had played just seven offensive snaps since 2022.
The Bengals used a seventh-round pick on Miami’s Matt Lee in April’s draft, and he’s looked pro-ready from the jump. He’ll play center if anything happens to starter Ted Karras.
Cleveland Browns | RB D’Onta Foreman
Keeping four quarterbacks means the Browns had to cut elsewhere. With Deshaun Watson, Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson all making Cleveland’s roster, the Browns’ RB group took the hit.
Foreman will hit the market immediately and should have suitors as a power back. He could also return to Cleveland’s roster once the club figures out its final QB situation.
Right now, Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. are the Browns’ only running backs (Nick Chubb remains on PUP).
Dallas Cowboys | EDGE Carl Lawson
The Cowboys signed Lawson less than two weeks ago, adding the former New York Jet with the hope he could bolster their pass rush rotation. Dallas lost DE Sam Williams to a torn ACL earlier this offseason and was looking for another option behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence.
Lawson’s deal didn’t include any guaranteed money, which could have affected his roster status. The 29-year-old could still return on the Cowboys’ practice squad.
Denver Broncos | WR Tim Patrick
Injuries have kept Patrick off the field since 2021. Now, he’ll have to find a new NFL home after being released by the Broncos on Tuesday.
Denver couldn’t find a trade partner for the 30-year-old Patrick, who went over 700 yards for the Broncos in 2020 and 2021. He could theoretically fit with WR-needy teams like the Detroit Lions or Pittsburgh Steelers. (Editor’s note: Patrick signed with Detroit’s practice squad on Tuesday evening.)
Patrick accepted a pay cut to remain in Denver this offseason. The Broncos are absorbing $6+ million to release him.
Detroit Lions | QB Nate Sudfeld
“I mean, let’s start with (Hendon) Hooker. You want to know, plain and simple, it’s hard for me to just jump right in and say, ‘Man, he’s, you feel great at No. 2.’ I think of him as, is he growing?”
That’s what Lions head coach Dan Campbell said about Hooker after his club’s preseason finale.
Nevertheless, Detroit is rolling with the 2023 third-round choice as Jared Goff’s backup after cutting Sudfeld on Tuesday. While Hooker flashed during the exhibition season, the Lions could still explore QB2 options this week.
Green Bay Packers | G Royce Newman
Newman has been hosed twice this offseason. Thanks to the NFL’s proven performance escalator program, he was supposed to earn over $3 million in 2024, but the Packers forced him to drop his salary to $1.25 million earlier this month. On Tuesday, Green Bay cut the 2021 fourth-round pick.
Newman, who started 16 games his rookie year but just eight since, should attract interest as a reliable reserve.
Houston Texans | WR Noah Brown
The Texans guaranteed Brown $3 million this offseason, so it’s incredibly surprising to see them eat that money. Houston will see an offset on Brown’s $2 million base salary if and when he signs with another team.
Brown shined whenever given the opportunity last season. He posted back-to-back 150-yard games in Weeks 8 and 9 before suffering an injury, then put up an 8-82-1 line in a narrow win against the Titans in Week 14.
Indianapolis Colts | S Ronnie Harrison Jr.
Harrison appeared in seven games (three starts) for the Colts in 2023 after making a position switch from safety to linebacker. He moved back to the secondary this offseason and had taken first-team safety reps at points during training camp.
However, Harrison eventually got pushed down Indy’s DB depth chart and was released earlier this week. Once the NFL’s roster dust settles, he could draw interest as a versatile defender.
Jacksonville Jaguars | EDGE D.J. Coleman
The Jaguars’ trade of pass rusher Trevis Gipson seemed to clear the way for Coleman — a 2023 UDFA who spent his rookie season on Jackonville’s practice squad — to make the club’s 53-man roster.
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Instead, the Jags waived Coleman on Tuesday, leaving only 2023 fourth-rounder Tyler Lacy and seventh-round rookie Myles Cole behind starting EDGEs Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker.
Pass-rushing depth was already a concern for Jacksonville, which will likely look for more options in the coming days.
Kansas City Chiefs | WR Kadarius Toney
Was the Chiefs’ 2022 trade for Toney a win? While Toney never became a true receiving force after K.C. gave up third- and sixth-round picks for him, he set a Super Bowl record with a fourth-quarter, 65-yard punt return that helped the Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Feb. 2023.
Toney will hit the waiver wire, but it’s unclear if any team will be willing to pick up his guaranteed $2.5 million salary.
Las Vegas Raiders | WR Jalen Guyton
The Raiders went with youth at wide receiver, keeping undrafted rookie free agent Ramel Keyton and street free agent Tyreik McAllister over Guyton.
New Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco drafted Guyton with the Los Angeles Chargers, but that connection wasn’t enough to keep the 27-year-old vertical threat on the Raiders’ roster.
Los Angeles Rams | RB Zach Evans
The Rams already parted ways with Boston Scott earlier this week, so the thinking was they’d keep Evans behind fellow RBs Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, and Ronnie Rivers.
Instead, Evans got the boot, while L.A. kept only three running backs. Evans is a prime candidate for the Rams’ practice squad if he’s not claimed on waivers.
Los Angeles Chargers | RB Isaiah Spiller
The Chargers’ cutdowns mostly went according to plan, but Spiller was the highest-profile name L.A. cut on Tuesday.
The 2021 fourth-round pick managed just 2.5 yards per carry on 55 attempts with the Bolts, who will move forward with Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal, and Jarrett Paterson as their top running backs.
Miami Dolphins | DT Neville Gallimore
Miami will eat $1.79 million in guaranteed money by cutting Gallimore, who looked like an option to help replace Christian Wilkins along the Dolphins’ interior defensive line.
While Gallimore isn’t a superstar, the former third-round pick can help against the run and could find another job soon.
Minnesota Vikings | RB/KR Kene Nwangwu
Nwangwu, the Vikings’ fourth-round pick in 2021, ranks second in yards per punt return over the last four seasons. Despite having just three pro campaigns under his belt, he’s the only NFL player with three kick-return touchdowns since 2020.
Nwangu’s special teams prowess alone might’ve kept him on Minnesota’s roster, but he was also expected to be the club’s RB3 behind Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler. The Vikings will look for additional RB depth this week.
New England Patriots | RB Kevin Harris
Quarterback Bailey Zappe may also register as a surprise Patriots cut. But the fourth-string signal-caller wasn’t on PFN’s final New England roster projection — Harris was.
A sixth-round pick in 2022, Harris has only posted 34 carries through two seasons but was expected to work as the Pats’ third RB behind Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson.
Instead, New England will roll with JaMycal Hasty while Harris hits the waiver wire, where he could draw interest.
New Orleans Saints | G Kyle Hergel
The Saints’ depleted offensive line needs all the upside it can find, which is why Hergel’s release was so surprising. The rookie UDFA out of Boston College was widely expected to make New Orleans’ roster.
Hergel played more preseason snaps than any other Saints offensive lineman and earned PFF’s fourth-best pass-blocking grade among that group. New Orleans also cut veteran guard Shane Lemieux on Tuesday.
GM Mickey Loomis might need to scour the market for interior line help.
New York Giants | WR Isaiah Hodgins
The Giants cut several wideouts on Tuesday, including Allen Robinson and Miles Boykin, but Hodgins was the most surprising. He was a key contributor after joining New York midway through the 2022 campaign and eventually posted an 8-105-1 line in Big Blue’s playoff win over the Vikings.
While Hodgins caught just 21 passes for 230 yards in 17 games (nine starts) last season, he appeared to be in line for the Giants’ WR5 job behind Malik Nabers, Jalin Hyatt, Darius Slayton, and Wan’Dale Robinson.
Philadelphia Eagles | OL Brett Toth
Wide receiver Parris Campbell would’ve rated as Philadelphia’s most surprising cut at this time last week, but his role as the Eagles’ WR3 vanished when the Birds acquired Jahan Dotson from the division-rival Washington Commanders.
Toth, meanwhile, appeared in 20 games (two starts) for Philadelphia over the past four seasons.
While he rarely played (just 224 total offensive snaps), Toth boasted exceptional versatility, lining up at every offensive line position except left tackle.
Pittsburgh Steelers | EDGE Kyron Johnson
Johnson appeared to have a legitimate shot at the Steelers’ roster after spending most of the 2023 campaign on their practice squad. He dominated during the preseason, posting six pressures in three games while looking explosive and quick off the snap.
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Pittsburgh would probably like to have Johnson back on its taxi squad, but he could land with a pass-rush-needy team.
San Francisco 49ers | CB Samuel Womack III
The 49ers’ cornerback room is extremely deep, so Womack always faced an uphill battle in the Bay Area. While his special teams contributions might’ve kept him on San Francisco’s roster, the Niners retained another ST-focused corner — Darrell Luter — instead.
Veteran Rock Ya-Sin, penciled in as San Francisco’s sixth or seventh corner on many roster projections, was also cut on Tuesday.
Seattle Seahawks | RB George Holani
Holani totaled nearly 3,000 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns at Boise State before signing with the Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in May. Seattle gave him a $15,000 bonus and guaranteed $100,000 of his base salary but still cut him on Tuesday.
The Seahawks hope to sneak Holani onto their practice squad while keeping Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, and Kenny McIntosh on their active roster.
During the preseason, Holani averaged 3.67 yards after contact per attempt, the fifth-best rate among 2024 rookies.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | WR Sterling Shepard
The Buccaneers didn’t necessarily make any surprising roster cuts this week, but Shepard is a notable name.
The 31-year-old hasn’t topped 400 receiving yards since 2020 but was trying to land on the end of Tampa Bay’s WR depth chart. Shepard’s connection with Bucs QB Baker Mayfield — his teammate at Oklahoma — didn’t help at cutdowns.
Tennessee Titans | CB Caleb Farley
Injuries made Farley a high-risk, high-reward first-round pick for the Titans in the 2021 NFL Draft, and health questions have continued to plague his pro career.
A torn ACL ended his rookie campaign, while back injuries forced him to miss the end of the 2022 season and all of 2023. Tennessee had already declined Farley’s fifth-year option for 2025.
Washington Commanders | WR Martavis Bryant
Sure, Bryant is 32 years old and hasn’t appeared in the NFL since 2018. But he caught a touchdown pass in Washington’s preseason finale, so we’re counting his summer as a success.
Bryant’s intriguing size (6’4″, 211 pounds) isn’t going away. The Commanders have such little WR depth that he could eventually be promoted if he signs with the club’s practice squad.