As the NFL's 53-man roster cut deadline approached, teams scrambled to trim their squads from 90 players to the required 53, resulting in a flurry of last-minute decisions that sent shockwaves through the league. By 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, some surprising names found themselves without a team, underscoring the harsh realities of professional football.
Baltimore Ravens Shake Up Roster
The Baltimore Ravens made significant changes, cutting wide receivers Sean Ryan, Russell Gage, and Anthony Miller. Tight ends Mike Rigerman, Riley Sharp, Qadir Ismail, and Scotty Washington also faced the axe. The offensive line saw the release of Tashawn Manning and Darrell Simpson, while defensive lineman Tramel Walthour, punter Jack Browning, cornerback Damarion "Pepe" Williams, quarterback Emory Jones, and running back Chris Collier were also let go.
Lamar Jackson's Underdog Story
Interestingly, these roster moves bring to mind another significant chapter in the Ravens' history: Lamar Jackson went undrafted in 2018, despite being the winner of the Heisman Trophy. Jackson's story has since become one of perseverance and triumph, serving as a powerful reminder of the unpredictable nature of talent evaluation in the NFL.
Broncos, Packers, and Texans Follow Suit
The Denver Broncos joined the roster shake-up, cutting linebackers Jonas Griffith and Jaylon Allen, and wide receiver Jalen Virgil. The Green Bay Packers also made strides to reshape their team, releasing offensive lineman Royce Newman and offensive tackle Caleb Jones. Additionally, quarterbacks Michael Pratt and Sean Clifford, kicker Anders Carlson, wide receivers Jalen Wayne and Samori Toure, and defensive lineman Kenneth Odumegwu were also released from the Packers.
On the defensive front, the Houston Texans cut cornerbacks Mike Ford, Lonnie Johnson Jr., and C.J. Henderson, while also releasing wide receivers Noah Brown and Quintez Cephus, safety Desmond King, and quarterback Tim Boyle. Another receiver, Jaden Janke, was also part of the Texans' cuts.
Raiders and Saints Trim Down
The Las Vegas Raiders made notable omissions, releasing quarterbacks Carter Bradley and Nathan Peterman, as well as wide receiver Jeff Foreman and defensive back Wood Governor. In New Orleans, the Saints saw a significant overhaul, cutting defensive end Niko Lalos, wide receivers Samson Nacua and Equanimeous St. Brown, and linebacker Khaleke Hudson. The team also parted ways with punter Lou Hedley, safeties Roderic Teamer, Lawrence Johnson, Ugo Amadi, and Johnathan Abram, as well as kicker Charlie Smyth.
Further bolstering the changes, the Saints cut defensive lineman Jack Heflin, offensive linemen Josiah Ezirim, Tremayne Anchrum, Shane Lemieux, center Sincere Haynesworth, and defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat.
Jets, Eagles, and Seahawks Fine-Tune Rosters
The New York Jets focused on releasing defensive back Tre Swilling, running back Xavian Valladay, and tight end Neal Johnson. Likewise, the Philadelphia Eagles cut wide receiver Parris Campbell and quarterback Will Grier. They also let go of tight ends E.J. Jenkins and C.J. Uzomah, defensive back Parry Nickerson, and guard Max Scharping.
Adding to the league-wide trend, the Seattle Seahawks announced the cuts of tight ends Tyler Mabry and Michael Ezeike, wide receivers D'Wayne Eskridge and Easop Winston, and defensive ends DeVere Levelston and Jamie Sheriff. Their roster adjustments included releasing defensive tackle Mario Kendricks, linebackers Easton Gibbs and Jon Rhattigan, Devin Richardson, safety Ty Okada, running back George Holani, and defensive back Willie Roberts.
Buccaneers and Commanders Complete Final Roster Moves
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also made their final calls, cutting wide receiver Sterling Shepard, defensive lineman Eric Banks, and linebacker Randy Gregory. In Washington, the Commanders released defensive ends Andre Jones and KJ Henry, wide receivers Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Brycen Tremayne, Martavis Bryant, Mitch Tinsley, and Davion Davis, as well as running backs Chris Rodriguez and Michael Wiley.
The Washington Commanders further cut cornerbacks Chigozie Anusiem, A.J. Woods, Nick Whiteside II, Tariq Castro-Fields, and James Pierre. They also trimmed their roster by releasing guard Julian Good-Jones, center J.C. Hassenauer, linebacker Bo Bauer, defensive back Ben Nikkel, and kicker Riley Patterson.
These roster adjustments come as every team finalized their initial 53-man rosters ahead of the approaching NFL season, signaling the culmination of rigorous training camps and preseason evaluations. This annual ritual stands as a testament to the highly competitive nature of the league, where even the smallest performance margins can determine a player's fate.