RSS FeedThis Week in Pro Football
By Chris Malumphy
This was cutdown week (rosters trimmed to 53 by Aug 25–26), so nearly every team has news beyond just releases. Here's the past week, team by team:
AFC East
Bills — Quiet cutdown (released WR Mac Dalena), with the real story being Josh Allen saying his surgically repaired foot "feels great" and a low-drama RG O'Cyrus Torrence extension expected soon.
Dolphins — Cut several depth pieces and were ranked dead-last (32nd) in CBS Sports' roster power rankings, with the receiver room called "stunningly thin" outside De'Von Achane as Malik Willis (not Tua, who was released and signed with Atlanta) takes over at QB under new coach Jeff Hafley.
Patriots — Traded away underperforming WR Kayshon Boutte for minimal compensation and released WR Kobe Prentice/CB Kenneth Harris, with Kyle Williams stepping into a bigger receiving role alongside offseason addition AJ Brown.
Jets — Cut RB Sam Scott, EDGE Nathan Voorhis and others while confirming Geno Smith as the 2026 starter (after trading Justin Fields to Kansas City), with backup QB depth still a live storyline into the finale.
AFC North
Ravens — Lost projected starting center Danny Pinter to a season-ending torn patella in joint practice, pushing Achilles-recovering Ethan Pocic into the center competition; backup QB Skylar Thompson and rookie LB Teddye Buchanan also landed on IR.
Bengals — Cut OT Cody Ford, but the bigger story is a crowded roster forcing trade talk on useful players like WR Charlie Jones, TE Tanner Hudson and 2024 second-rounder DT Kris Jenkins, with Cincinnati flagged as a team to watch on D-line trades.
Browns — Dillon Gabriel was named starter over Taylen Green for the preseason finale, while Shedeur Sanders, in his second season, remains behind behind veteran Deshaun Watson awaiting his chance to start.
Steelers — CB Joey Porter Jr. is on the PUP list in what's widely seen as a contract holdout; Pittsburgh says it won't trade him, but reports suggest a deal would take at least a 2027 first-rounder. WR D.K. Metcalf's contract was also restructured to free ~$18M in cap space.
AFC South
Texans — Waived LB Marte Mapu (acquired from New England) and cut two receivers off a stacked depth chart; OT Trent Brown (recovering from a torn patellar tendon) was cut and steered to the practice squad to keep him in-house.
Colts — HC Shane Steichen named Daniel Jones the starter over 2023's No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson for the opener — a real setback for Richardson — while CB Mekhi Blackmon, acquired via trade a year ago, was waived after a rough camp.
Jaguars — No major cuts, but star WR Brian Thomas Jr. left joint practice early with a shoulder injury (team called it minor); Jacksonville also traded a 6th-rounder to the Giants for OL depth in Daniel Faalele.
Titans — Made a flurry of cutdown moves (LB Dominique Hampton to IR, DB Sanoussi Kane released) with Cam Ward firmly entrenched as starting QB after a modest final preseason outing.
AFC West
Broncos — Cut a few receivers as the offseason blockbuster trade for Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (now pairing with Courtland Sutton) reshaped and squeezed the receiver room.
Chiefs — The league's biggest ongoing story: Patrick Mahomes, recovering from a torn ACL/LCL, will miss his entire preseason for the first time in his career; he's practicing fully but Andy Reid hasn't confirmed him for Week 1 against Denver.
Raiders — Beyond cutting WR Noah Brown, rookie first-round RB Ashton Jeanty sprained his ankle in practice (not considered long-term) with his Week 1 status uncertain, while Kirk Cousins is the entrenched starter.
Chargers — Released WR Luke Grimm, with real roster-bubble battles at OL and LB and new TE addition David Njoku brought in to support Justin Herbert.
NFC East
Cowboys — Trimmed to 53 (waived NT Kelvin Gilliam) while Joe Milton III reportedly won the backup QB job over Sam Howell, and Dallas signed 8-time Pro Bowler Von Miller on a "homecoming" deal to bolster the pass rush.
Giants — Star WR Malik Nabers (ACL tear last season) is progressing well and it's "reasonable to assume" he's ready for Week 1, though not yet cleared for contact; rookie edge Abdul Carter had an ankle scare but is expected fine.
Eagles — Cut a few depth players while ranked #3 in CBS's roster power rankings; the real subplot is backup QB Tanner McKee outplaying veteran Andy Dalton and drawing outside trade interest.
Commanders — Released a few players and placed S Malik Spencer on IR, while continuing to build around Jayden Daniels with the Stefon Diggs signing as he works back from a late-2025 injury.
NFC North
Bears — No major cuts yet, but LB Nephi Sewell landed on IR with a leg injury and S Gervarrius Owens was let go hurt, as new HC Ben Johnson finalizes his first Chicago roster.
Lions — Cut a few depth pieces; the lingering concern is DB Christian Izien, whose Week 1 status against New Orleans is uncertain due to a camp injury.
Packers — No cuts listed, but star pass rusher Micah Parsons (acquired in last year's blockbuster trade from Dallas) is recovering from a torn ACL/meniscus and expected to miss the start of the season, possibly into mid-October.
Vikings — Kyler Murray has won the starting QB job outright, demoting 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (who struggled badly in 2025) to backup, where he's now fending off Carson Wentz; a McCarthy trade looks unlikely this week since offers reportedly amount to just a mid-round pick.
NFC South
Falcons — EDGE James Pearce Jr. was suspended eight games for a personal-conduct-policy violation stemming from a February arrest, while Tua Tagovailoa is set to start Week 1 over Michael Penix Jr. mainly because Penix (ACL recovery) isn't yet cleared for full contact.
Panthers — No cuts yet, but 2024 first-round WR Xavier Legette is in a walking boot after an ankle injury in joint practice, and no Bryce Young extension is expected before the season.
Saints — A wild 24 hours: RB Alvin Kamara suffered an MCL sprain (~month out), prompting a late-night trade sending LB Deion Jones to San Francisco for RB Zamir White, followed hours later by the signing of two-time All-Pro kicker Daniel Carlson.
Buccaneers — Cut a couple of depth players, but the cloud over the team is QB Baker Mayfield turning down a short-term extension (feeling "disrespected") and star WR Mike Evans having left in free agency for San Francisco.
NFC West
Cardinals — RB Trey Benson was waived after knee surgery (4-6 weeks, not season-ending) the same day EDGE Josh Sweat was activated off PUP, giving the pass rush a boost.
Rams — Trimmed to 53 while entering the season ranked #1 overall in CBS's power rankings; star WR Puka Nacua changed agents amid a stalled contract extension and looks likely to play the season on his rookie deal.
49ers — The week's biggest off-field story: majority owner Jed York was arrested Aug. 24 for responding to an undercover prostitution ad, pleading no contest to a reduced disorderly-conduct charge; the NFL says it will review under the personal conduct policy. Separately, San Francisco made a shrewd trade for Saints RB Zamir White.
Seahawks — Cut a few depth pieces while locking up DT Leonard Williams on a three-year, $90 million extension, a strong signal of confidence as Seattle enters the year ranked #2 overall.
League-wide: The NFL also eliminated the Pro Bowl after 88 years (the league will still name 88 Pro Bowlers annually, just without the game).
