On Aug. 29 there will be around a thousand players without a team in the NFL due to cutdown day.

This day signals that the 2023 season will soon be starting and teams are finalizing their 53-man rosters. Just because the 53 players make it past next Monday, doesn’t mean that it’ll be the same 53 players that suit up in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Cleveland Browns, like every other team, have some choices to make at the end of the roster. The 90-man roster will be cut down to 53 in a hurry. 

With the final preseason games being this coming weekend, teams could start cutting down anytime now. 

There are multiple ways the Browns will go about getting to that magical number of 53.

Waive

If a player has played less than four seasons in the NFL, the team will waive them. According to the NFL, you need four seasons to become a vested player. So, all of the young players on the roster that do not make it will go through waivers. Other teams around the league will have the opportunity to sign these players.

Release 

If a player has played at least four seasons in the NFL, they are vested. These players won’t have to make it through the waiver wire, instead, they are immediately free agents.

Physically unable to perform and non-football injury list

I expect the Browns to use this list with players such as Marquise Goodwin and maybe Alex Wright. If a player is not healthy to begin the season, they can go on these lists and not count against the 53-man roster.

Injured reserve

If you place a player on the injured reserve before the season, they can not play in that said season. Cleveland did this with Jacob Phillips and he won’t count against the 53-man roster. The difference in the IR changes once the season starts. If a player is placed on the list then, they can return in that fourth week.

The expectation is that the Browns will use all of these avenues to get from 90 players down to 53 by the time the deadline comes about on Monday. 

5 offensive players the Browns could look to put on the practice squad

Keeping these current players around for the Browns would be ideal.

Featured image via Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports.