2026 NFL roster cuts: Biggest moves, more for all 32 teams

We're under two weeks away from the start of the 2026 NFL season, when the Seahawks and Patriots meet in a Super Bowl rematch Sept. 9. And with the preseason play wrapped up, front offices and coaching staffs have been busy around the league getting the rosters ready to go.

The deadline for each team to finalize its 53-man roster was Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. Teams can still make moves, of course, before the opener, but getting down to 53 players by the deadline meant a lot of cuts and trades. Of note, the Cowboys released second-year running back Jaydon Blue, while the Colts retained quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr.

Our NFL Nation reporters have the official releases and other moves for all 32 teams as news trickles out. Plus, they broke down the biggest moves to know.

Jump to a team:

ATL | CIN|CLE|DAL|IND|JAX

MIA| MIN|NE |NYG |PIT |WSH

AFC East

Miami Dolphins

Biggest move: Trading away Quinn Ewers and trading for Kyle McCord. The Dolphins' backup quarterback situation was untenable after a cumulatively underwhelming preseason from Cam Miller, Mark Gronowski and Ewers. Swapping Ewers for McCord is still risky; McCord is yet to play an NFL game while Ewers has three starts under his belt. But McCord was one of the top performers of the preseason and is young enough to qualify as a developmental passer for a young Miami team. On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins released linebacker Tyrel Dodson, clearing a starting job for second-round pick Jacob Rodriguez. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Traded: QB Quinn Ewers, WR Tutu Atwell

Waived/released: LB Tyrel Dodson, DE Cameron Goode, WR Terrace Marshall Jr., OT Charlie Heck, S Lonnie Johnson Jr., DE David Ojabo, WR Jalen Reagor, CB Marco Wilson, DL Matthew Butler, OT Gottlieb Ayedze, CB Miles Battle, RB Jarquez Hunter, WR Donaven McCulley, DE Rodney McGraw, CB Jai'Onte' McMillan, QB Cam Miller, QB Mark Gronowski, S Major Burns, TE Jeremiah Franklin, RB Carlos Washington Jr., DL Fatorma Mulbah, LB Cam Riley

Reserve/suspended: DT Kenneth Grant, LB Trey Moore, CB Darrell Baker Jr., CB Storm Duck

New England Patriots

Biggest move: This was a straight-forward cut-down weekend for the Patriots, with arguably the biggest surprise coming with the sixth cornerback spot as undrafted Channing Canada (TCU) got the nod over veteran Kindle Vildor, who had been praised by coach Mike Vrabel after the second preseason game. Trades involving late-round draft picks to improve depth with T/G Walter Rouse and RB Corey Kiner were notable-but-not-headline-grabbing, which made the team's injury-based decisions the biggest news: Veteran OLB Harold Landry III is starting on the physically unable to perform list, special teams captain Brenden Schooler starts on the non-football injury list, and reserve OT Marcus Bryant begins on injured reserve. This means they will all miss at least the first four games. -- Mike Reiss

Waived/released: S Mike Brown, S Eric Butler, G Mehki Butler, OL Jack Conley, CB Brandon Crossley, OL Darrian Dalcourt, WR Nick DeGennaro, CB Marcellas Dial Jr., TE CJ Dippre, WR Kyle Dixon, WR Cameron Dorner, LB Amari Gainer, DT Eric Gregory, P Matt Haack, RB JaMycal Hasty, LB Xavier Holmes, OT James Hudson III, DT Isaiah Iton, RB Lan Larison, LB Jesse Luketa, S Peter Manuma, OT Lorenz Metz, OL Joe Michalski, RB Jam Miller, DB Kobee Minor, G JonDarius Morgan, LB Chad Muma, WR Tejhaun Palmer, DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr., OL Jacob Rizy, DT Casey Rogers, S John Saunders Jr., LB Bradyn Swinson, CB Kindle Vildor, TE Jack Westover, LB Riley Wilson

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

Biggest move: Cincinnati opted to shake up its receiving room. Former one-time CFL reserve Dohnte Meyers beat out Mitchell Tinsley, last year's offseason star, for a spot on the initial 53-player roster. But that wasn't the only main move. Ke'Shawn Williams kept a spot as well and is in line to replace Charlie Jones as the team's primary returner. Jones, a fourth-round pick in 2023, was dynamic on special teams but struggled to find a role on offense. Jones had a return touchdown in each of the last three seasons (one on a punt, two on kickoffs). -- Ben Baby

Waived/released: HB Gary Brightwell, LB Joe Giles-Harris, QB Josh Johnson, S Russ Yeast, LB Liam Anderson, S Daijahn Anthony, G Liam Brown, RB Kentrel Bullock, QB Sean Clifford, OT Andrew Coker, DT Howard Cross III, LB Jack Dingle, DE Isaiah Foskey, LB Eric Gentry, TE Cam Grandy, RB Jamal Haynes, LB Shaka Heyward, DT McKinnley Jackson, WR Xavier Johnson, WR Charlie Jones, OT Christian Jones, TE Josh Kattus, CB Jalen Kimber, CB Bralyn Lux, CB Matthew McDoom, RB Kendall Milton, WR Jordan Moore, DE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, WR Kendric Pryor, OL Corey Robinson II, WR Noah Thomas, WR Mitchell Tinsley, CB Ceyair Wright

Reserve/injured: CB Ja'Sir Taylor, OL Brian Parker II

Cleveland Browns

Biggest move: The Browns trimmed their roster from four quarterbacks to three ahead of the NFL's 6 p.m. ET Sunday deadline, but did so without cutting or trading a passer.

Instead, Cleveland placed Dillon Gabriel on injured reserve and designated him to return with a back injury.

Gabriel injured his back in Cleveland's preseason-closing win against the Patriots on Thursday night, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gabriel will miss at least the first four games of the season, but the designation could also possibly give the Browns more time to find a trade partner. -- Daniel Oyefusi -- Daniel Oyefusi

Waived/released: CB Tre Avery, DT Travis Bell, TE Drew Biber, RB Davon Booth, CB Myles Bryant, OT Jeremiah Byers, DT Elijah Chatman, P Nik Constantinou, S Christopher Edmonds, G Kingsley Eguakun, CB Nate Evans, DE Logan Fano, WR Luke Floriea, CB Tyler Hall, DT Coziah Izzard, DT Patrick Jenkins, WR Gage Larvadain, DT Sam Kamara, OT KT Leveston, RB Ahmani Marshall, CB Jeremiah McClendon, OT Izavion Miller, DE Jamil Muhammad, WR Ben Patterson, P Wes Pahl, OT Tyre Phillips, CB D'Angelo Ross, DT Tyreak Sapp, DE Khordae Sydnor, TE Jermaine Terry II, WR Cedric Tillman, LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, S Zion Washington, LB Nathaniel Watson, DE Benton Whitley, WR Kole Wilson

Reserve/injured : QB Dillon Gabriel

Reserve/NFI : TE Joe Royer

Pittsburgh Steelers

Biggest move: The Steelers were active in the trade market on roster cutdown weekend, but the most significant move was activating cornerback Joey Porter Jr. off PUP, meaning he won't have to miss the first four games of the season. Porter Jr. was placed on the list after aggravating a back injury during a mobility workout on the first day of training camp, but coach Mike McCarthy recently referred to him as dealing with a "business situation" as the 2023 second-round pick and the team worked through a stalemate in extension talks. While activating Porter Jr. off PUP doesn't signal an impending extension, or that Porter Jr. will return to practice, he now has the option to return to the field ahead of the season. If the Steelers are going to get a deal done with Porter Jr., they have two weeks to complete negotiations because the organization doesn't negotiate contracts during the season. -- Brooke Pryor

Traded: OT Broderick Jones, RB Kaleb Johnson

Waived/released: DL Kyler Baugh, DB Devan Boykin, DB Sebastian Castro, DL Anthony Goodlow, WR Max Hurleman, DB D'Shawn Jamison, OL Steven Jones, TE Lance Mason, TE Lake McRee, OL Doug Nester, RB Lew Nichols, DB Doneiko Slaughter, WR Brandon Smith, LB Julius Welschof, LB Jacoby Windmon, TE Jaheim Bell, OL Greg Crippen, DB Jaylon Guilbeau, DB Jack Henderson, DB Brandon Hill, WR Jakobie Keeney-James, DB Tamon Lynum, DB Daryl Porter, WR Cornell Powell, RB Alex Tecza, WR Isaiah Winstead, LB Malik Harrison, RB Travis Homer, DL Dean Lowry, DL Esezi Otomewo, LB Elandon Roberts, LB Jamin Davis, WR Levi Wentz

Reserve/suspended: IR: DB DeShon Elliott, OL Jack Driscoll; PUP: DB Donte Kent

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

Biggest move: It won't make huge headlines, but the Colts flipping late-round picks with Buffalo to acquire center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger filled a very obvious hole in the Indianapolis offense. While the Colts are quite happy with starting center Tanor Bortolini, they endured constant issues through training camp and the preseason with errant snaps from the candidates to be backup center. During Saturday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions alone there were at least five poor snaps to quarterbacks Anthony Richardson Sr. and Riley Leonard. Sunday's trade gives the Colts peace of mind in the event Bortolini misses a game. -- Stephen Holder

Waived/released: Waived/released: DT Cameron Ball, RB Ulysses Bentley IV, S Austin Brown, TE Pharaoh Brown, CB Rob Carter Jr., RB Anderson Castle, T Blake Freeland, TE JJ Galbreath, WR Anthony Gould, K Blake Grupe, WR Sahmir Hagans, CB Kenneth Harris, C Josh Kreutz, T Roy Mbaeteka, DE Mitchell Melton, TE Tyler Moore, C Jimmy Morrissey, DT Derrick Nnadi, DE Durell Nchami, WR Ben Nikkel, WR Eli Pancol, CB Mekhi Rodgers, T Nolan Rucci, S Daniel Scott, WR Raylen Sharpe, G Josh Sills, QB Easton Stick, S Juanyeh Thomas, C Geno VanDeMark, LB Devin Veresuk, S Trey Washington, T Trey Wedig, WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, DT Colby Wooden.

Reserve/suspended: CB Cam Taylor-Britt (transaction pending)

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Jacksonville Jaguars

Biggest move: Moving on from OL Chuma Edoga, who can play tackle and guard, is a sign the Jaguars are confident RT Cole Van Lanen will be ready to go in Week 1. Van Lanen suffered a knee injury in the 2025 regular-season finale and was only activated from the PUP list on Aug. 20. He has only done individual work at this point but head coach Liam Coen said if Van Lanen -- who ended 2025 as the starting left tackle -- was able to practice in the week leading up to the opener with Cleveland, then he'd start at right tackle while Anton Harrison starts on the left. -- Michael DiRocco

Traded: TE Hunter Long (Arizona)

Acquired: QB Quinn Ewers (Miami)

Waived/released: LB Yasir Abdullah, QB Joey Aguilar, DT Tommy Akingbesote, CB Corey Ballentine, DT T.J. Bollers, WR Brady Boyd, WR Chandler Brayboy, LB Amari Burney, OL Jerome Carvin, OL Geron Christian, RB DeeJay Dallas, DE Quindarius Dunnigan, OL Chuma Edoga, TE Patrick Herbert, CB Preston Hodge, DT Jalen Hunt, WR Tim Jones, LB Jack Kiser, OL Ricky Lee, LB Jalen McLeod, OL Timothy McKay, CB Jabbar Muhammad, QB Nick Mullens, S Devin Neal Jr., OL Jimto Obidegwu, WR Trebor Pena, S Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig, LB Baylon Spector, RB J'Mari Taylor, S Trevian Thomas, WR Austin Trammell, WR Michael Wortham, OL Kilian Zierer

Waived/injured: QB Carter Bradley, DT Keivie Rose

Reserve/injured: OL Sam Mustipher

Reserve/injured (designated to return): DE Zach Durfee, OL Patrick Mekari

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Biggest move: Based on the start of training camp, it would be waiving running back Jaydon Blue, a fifth-round pick in 2025. After a disappointing rookie season -- he was inactive for 12 games -- Blue was credited with a more mature approach to the game by the coaches. But once training camp started, he was outplayed by Malik Davis. Blue's speed offered a different skill set than the rest of the position group, but the best he can do for the Cowboys at the moment is end up on the practice squad. Davis had two 100-yard games last year after he earned the job as Javonte Williams' backup, and he can be a core special teamer. The Cowboys have just two tailbacks, plus fullback Hunter Luepke, on the 53-man roster at the moment, but can add a third on gameday, if they choose, with a practice-squad call up. -- Todd Archer

Traded: OT Nate Thomas (Houston)

Waived/released: RB Jaydon Blue, WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR Tyler Johnson, WR Jordan Hudson, RB Jashaun Corbin, TE Michael Trigg, TE Zack Kuntz, TE DJ Rogers (injured), T Sebastian Gutierrez, G DJ Wingfield, G Chris Glaser, G Shiyazh Pete, TE Mitch Van Vooren, CB Trikweze Bridges, CB Josh Butler, LB Curtis Robinson, LB Langston Patterson, CB Zion Childress, WR Denzel Mims, WR Jaden Smith, OLB Isaiah Land, DT D.J. Withers, DT Jay Toia, DT Tommy Dunn Jr., DT Adedayo Odeleye, T Marcellus Johnson, RB Phil Mafah, DB Reddy Steward, OL Trevor Keegan, RB Israel Abanikanda, WR Anthony Smith, OLB Sam Williams, CB Derion Kendrick, C Nick Leverett, S Julius Wood, LB Justin Barron

Injured reserve/designated to return: LB Marist Liufau (forearm); CB Devin Moore (hip)

New York Giants

Biggest move: It's not who didn't make the team, it's who did. Odell Beckham Jr. solidified his spot on the initial 53-man roster with a strong summer that saw him participate in every practice after a year out of the league. Coach John Harbaugh told Beckham when he signed that nothing was given. He had to earn a roster spot. That's what Beckham did. Beckham was one of five wide receivers to make the initial roster. Wide receiver/returner Braxton Berrios was released, but as a vested veteran the Giants are assured of him returning to the practice squad with the intention of being active Week 1. Former high draft picks Evan Neal and Jalin Hyatt were also cut. -- Jordan Raanan

Waived/released: QB Brandon Allen, CB Ugo Amadi, RB Damon Bankston, DL Anquin Barnes Jr., DL Benjamin Barton, WR Braxton Berrios, S Beau Brade, WR Dalen Cambre, TE Tanner Conner, DL Marlon Davidson, TE Josiah Deguara, FB Grant Finley, OLB Trace Ford, DT Leki Fotu, WR/KR Xavier Gipson, RB Eric Gray, CB Art Green, QB Jake Haener, WR Isaiah Hodgins, WR Jalin Hyatt, C Brenden Jaimes, LB Khalid Kareem, G Jake Kubas, S Raheem Layne, LB Chandler Martin, LB Darius Muasau, OLB Caleb Murphy, G Evan Neal, LB Anfernee Orji, G/C Lucas Patrick, DL Zacch Pickens, WR Kobe Prentice, K Ben Sauls, DT Josh Tupou, OL Ryan Schernecke, DB JT Woods

Reserve/suspended: CB Korie Black (groin)

Washington Commanders

Biggest move: The Commanders placed corner Trey Amos on injured reserve with a designation to return because of an ankle injury he suffered in training camp on Aug. 8 -- on the first day he practiced. It was uncertain when Amos would return from the ankle injury, but this guarantees he'll miss at least the first four games. Washington will re-sign Fabian Moreau, who was cut Sunday, after placing left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve. It's not an ideal corner istuation for Washington, which will face receivers such as DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in the first three weeks. -- John Keim

Waived/released: LB Krys Barnes, OLB Boogie Basham, S Joshuah Bledsoe, WR Jaden Bradley, G/T Daniel Brunskill, TE Lawrence Cager, DT Byron Cowart, CB Fred Davis II, C/G Julian Good-Jones, CB Antonio Hamilton Sr., QB Sam Hartman, RB Robert Henry Jr., C Trey Hill, DT Maurice Hurst II, LB Curtis Jacobs, WR Van Jefferson, OLB DJ Johnson, S Quindell Johnson, WR Jacoby Jones, LB Ale Kaho, S Qwuantrezz Knight, DT Jeffrey M'ba, OLB T.J. Maguranyanga, TE Tre' McKitty, TE

NFC North

Minnesota Vikings

Biggest move: The Vikings chose rookie punter Brett Thorson over veteran Johnny Hekker in the competition to replace Ryan Wright, who signed with the Saints this spring. Thorson had an excellent college career at Georgia, capped by the 2025 Ray Guy Award as the nation's best amateur punter, and was impressive in training camp. But the risk here is that he never served as a holder at Georgia, and in Minnesota he had to prove he could do it without disrupting the timing of All-Pro kicker Will Reichard. It appears that Thorson earned Reichard's trust. -- Kevin Seifert

Traded: OL Walter Rouse

Waived/released: DL Jonathan Harris, P Johnny Hekker, DL Isaiahh Loudermilk, S Tavierre Thomas, CB Da'Veawn Armstead, WR Michael Briscoe, G Henry Byrd, WR Terrill Davis, C Gavin Gerhardt, G Joshua Gray, S Kahlef Hailassie, CB Tre Hawkins III, LB Bangally Kamara, TE Marshall Lang, TE Matt Lauter, G Vershon Lee, OL Tristan Leigh, OL Delby Lemieux, CB Bryce Phillips, OL Tomas Rimac, DL Jahvaree Ritzie, LB Josh Ross, WR Trayvon Rudolph, WR Marcus Sanders Jr., RB Zavier Scott, OLB Cam'Ron Stewart, DL Smith Vilbert, CB Jarod Washington.

Waived/injured: CB Marcus Allen, OLB Kenny Dyson Jr., WR Dontae Fleming, RB Jermar Jefferson, TE Bryson Nesbit, LB Jacob Roberts

Injured reserve: LB Tyler Batty, C Michael Jurgens (designed for return)

Reserve/suspended: WR Jeshaun Jones

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Biggest move: The Falcons will carry four quarterbacks, at least for now. Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush and undrafted rookie Jack Strand all made the 53-man roster. Atlanta has still not decided who will start Week 1. Penix (left ACL) just got cleared and his first full practice was only last week. Tagovailoa came into camp with a tight back and has had some struggles. Rush was signed the day before camp due to injuries and Strand, out of Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead, has wowed at times with his fast development. Head coach Kevin Stefanski and company still have a major decision to make. -- Marc Raimondi -- Marc Raimondi

Traded: CB Clark Phillips III

Waived/released: OL Wanya Morris, EDGE Bralen Trice, DT Eric Johnson II, LB Channing Tindall, OL Brandon Walton, DL Devonnsha Maxwell, WR Keelan Marion, LB Daveren Rayner, OL Jaeden Roberts, TE Joshua Simon, DB Keidron Smith, OL Andrew Stueber, WR Vinny Anthony II, EDGE Cameron Sample, C James Brockermeyer, OL Riley Mahlman, CB A.J. Woods, TE Nick Muse, RB Nathan Carter, DL Carlos Allen Jr., WR Dylan Drummond, EDGE Azeez Ojulari, EDGE Keshawn Banks, CB Cobee Bryant, RB Tyler Goodson, RB Cash Jones, OL Kam Dewberry, DL Marlon Tuipulotu, WR Antwane Wells Jr., LB Josh Woods, TE Jack Velling, DL Chris Williams

Reserve/suspended: EDGE James Pearce Jr., DB Darren Hall, WR Beaux Collins, DL Anterio Thompson

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