The NFL saw a whirlwind of activity as the 4 p.m. ET deadline loomed for teams to trim their rosters from 90 players down to the final 53. This annual roster cut day is always filled with surprise decisions, seasoned veterans facing tough breaks, and undrafted rookies seeing their dreams deferred.
Lamar Jackson: An Undrafted Enigma
One of the more surprising facts to pop up amidst the flurry of roster moves was a nod to Lamar Jackson, who went undrafted in 2018 despite winning the Heisman Trophy. This tidbit serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of NFL roster decisions, putting into perspective the emotional rollercoaster players experience.
Major Moves Across Teams
Several teams made significant cuts as they finalized their rosters. The Baltimore Ravens, for instance, opted to release plenty of talent, particularly among their wide receivers and tight ends. Sean Ryan, Russell Gage, and Anthony Miller, all wide receivers, found themselves on the chopping block. Joining them were tight ends Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Qadir Ismail, and Scotty Washington. The Ravens also decided to part ways with offensive linemen Tashawn Manning and Darrell Simpson, defensive lineman Tramel Walthour, punter Jack Browning, cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams, quarterback Emory Jones, and running back Chris Collier.
Defense Takes a Hit
The Denver Broncos saw fit to release linebackers Jonas Griffith and Jaylon Allen, as well as wide receiver Jalen Virgil. The clock struck midnight for many, even as no one anticipated seeing names like Royce Newman and Caleb Jones from the Green Bay Packers getting handed their walking papers. Also released by the Packers were quarterbacks Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford, kicker Anders Carlson, wide receivers Jalen Wayne and Samori Toure, and defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu.
Texans and Raiders Shuffling the Deck
The Houston Texans made several surprising cuts, particularly in their secondary. Cornerbacks Mike Ford, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and C.J. Henderson were all let go. The receivers weren’t spared either, as Noah Brown and Quintez Cephus received the news. Safety Desmond King and quarterback Tim Boyle were also among the notable releases, along with wide receiver Jaden Janke.
The Las Vegas Raiders added their own twist by releasing quarterbacks Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman. Wide receiver Jeff Foreman and defensive back Wood Governor were also caught up in the roster storm.
Saints and Jets Final Adjustments
The New Orleans Saints made a series of deep cuts, affecting wide swathes of their roster. Notable releases included defensive end Niko Lalos, wide receivers Samson Nacua and Equanimeous St. Brown, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson. Veteran punter Lou Hedley found himself in the list of released players, along with safeties Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Ugo Amadi, and Johnathan Abram. Additionally, kicker Charlie Smyth, defensive lineman Jack Heflin, offensive linemen Josiah Ezirim, Tremayne Anchrum, Shane Lemieux, center Sincere Haynesworth, and defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat were all let go.
Meanwhile, the New York Jets waved goodbye to fewer but still notable players like defensive back Tre Swilling, running back Xavian Valladay, and tight end Neal Johnson.
Eagles, Seahawks, and Buccaneers Last-Minute Decisions
The Philadelphia Eagles made their fair share of surprising releases, with wide receiver Parris Campbell and quarterback Will Grier among the names cut. Additionally, tight ends E.J. Jenkins and C.J. Uzomah, defensive back Parry Nickerson, and guard Max Scharping found themselves off the roster.
For the Seattle Seahawks, the focus was on thinning the tight end group, cutting Tyler Mabry and Michael Ezeike. Wide receivers D'Wayne Eskridge and Easop Winston and defensive ends DeVere Levelston and Jamie Sheriff were also let go. They did not stop there; defensive tackle Mario Kendricks, linebackers Easton Gibbs, Jon Rhattigan, and Devin Richardson, safety Ty Okada, running back George Holani, and defensive back Willie Roberts were also released.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers joined the fray by cutting wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman Eric Banks, and linebacker Randy Gregory.
Washington Commanders' Extensive Cuts
The Washington Commanders were not shy about making extensive cuts. Defensive ends Andre Jones and KJ Henry, wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Brycen Tremayne were let go. Furthermore, they released wide receivers Martavis Bryant, Mitch Tinsley, and Davion Davis, and running backs Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley. Cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, A.J. Woods, Nick Whiteside II, Tariq Castro-Fields, and James Pierre all faced the proverbial axe. Joining this lengthy list were guard Julian Good-Jones, center J.C. Hassenauer, linebacker Bo Bauer, defensive back Ben Nikkel, and kicker Riley Patterson.
At the end of the day, every NFL team made challenging decisions to finalize their initial 53-man rosters. As always, some moves were expected while others caught fans and analysts off guard. All eyes now turn towards the next chapter of the season, with the cut-down day serving as a pivotal point in the journey of both teams and players alike.