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Notable roster cuts so far + important details to know about roster cuts

With the 2025 preseason in the books, we’ve now entered cut week, which is one of the busiest weeks on the NFL calendar. All 32 teams will scramble to shorten their rosters from 90 players to 53, and then up to 16 players will be able to be signed to each team’s practice squad.

Our staffers at A to Z Sports have thrown together roster cut trackers for most teams, which you can find here. There have already been several notable cuts coming in, with plenty more soon to follow.

Below, we highlight a handful of notable cuts, and then we go over some of the most important details to know during this crazy week.

Notable cuts (so far)

Running back Cam Akers (New Orleans Saints): The 26-year-old RB participated in 17 games with two teams last season, and had his best season come in 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams after earning 903 yards and seven touchdowns from scrimmage. It’s almost certain he’ll land elsewhere after failing to catch on with the Saints.

Offensive tackle La’el Collins (Dallas Cowboys): The 32-year-old started 71 games at various positions for the Cowboys from 2015 to 2021 before joining the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. Collins missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to a knee injury plus bouncing around on several practice squads.

Cornerback Mike Hilton (Miami Dolphins): The ninth-year vet played 16 games for the Bengals last year before signing with the Dolphins in June. Initially assumed by many to be a future starter for Miami, Hilton did not end up playing much during the 2025 preseason.

Quarterback Tyler Huntley (Cleveland Browns): The sixth-year vet started five games for the Dolphins last year, and ended up joining a crowded Browns QB room this summer. With four other QBs on Cleveland’s roster, Huntley became the odd man out, but should be able to find a spot on another squad soon given his starting experience.

Safety Shilo Sanders (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Son of Deion Sanders and an undrafted rookie out of Colorado, Shilo had semi-high expectations but couldn’t stand out in the Bucs’ defensive back room. An ejection during the team’s preseason finale also likely contributed to his fate.

QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Philadelphia Eagles): After trading for Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Howell, there wasn’t much room on the roster for DTR who is entering his third NFL season and boasts five NFL starts.

Important details to know about roster cuts, from Charles Goldman

“Rosters must be reduced to 53 players by Tuesday, Aug. 26, at 3 p.m. CT.”

Released vs. waived: “When a vested veteran (those who have accrued four seasons in the NFL) is cut from a team, these players are not required to pass through waivers and can immediately become unrestricted free agents. Sometimes that means they’ll sign with another team. Other times, teams can release these veterans and re-sign them after they’ve placed other players on injured reserve.

“Players who have not accrued four seasons in the NFL are waived instead of being released. 31 NFL teams will have a chance to claim waived players on their 53-man roster by 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday, August 27. If players are not claimed on waivers, they become unrestricted free agents. Team records from the previous season determine waiver priority this time of year. The team with the worst record will get the top waiver priority, in this case, the Tennessee Titans.”

IR vs. PUP vs. NFI: “Up to two players can be placed on IR on the day of final cuts (Tuesday) and be designated to return. Teams still have the option to carry injured players on the 53-man roster, and some good reasons to do so. First, if a player is placed on IR, he is forced to miss at least four games. Second, if a player makes the initial 53 and is placed on IR on the following day, there are eight designations to return from IR, and another two for playoff teams.

“Players on the Active/PUP list can be placed on the Reserve/PUP list in a move to get the roster down to 53 players. Players who are moved to the Reserve/PUP list do not count against the 53-man roster. They can attend team meetings and use team facilities for rehab, but are not allowed to practice for four weeks. After four weeks, another 21-day window opens up, where the player can practice and be activated. If they’re not activated in those 21 days, they must be placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season.

“Players placed on the Reserve/NFI lists have to go through the same process as players on the Reserve/PUP list. They do not count toward the 53-man roster. The big difference between the NFI and PUP lists is that teams can withhold a portion of a player’s salary if they’re placed on the NFI lists.”

Practice squad rules: “After the claiming period has ended at 11 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Aug. 27, teams are permitted to assemble their 16-man practice squads. Here are the rules on who can be signed to the practice squad:

• Players who do not have an accrued season (I.E. rookies).
• Players who were on the active roster for fewer than nine regular-season games during their only accrued season(s).
• Up to four players per team with no more than two accrued seasons.
• Up to six players per team with no accrued season limitations (I.E. vested veterans).”

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