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The 2022 NFL season will kick off a week from Thursday as the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams host the Buffalo Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) — which means teams are cutting their rosters in preparation.
Teams were required to cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Cuts came earlier as teams finished their three preseason games on Sunday to accommodate the 17-game regular-season schedule. We will be tracking cuts and trades made by every team.
Of the reported cuts made so far, wide receiver Josh Gordon (Chiefs), offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (Raiders), running back Marlon Mack (Texans) and quarterback Kellen Mond (Vikings) are among the biggest names. The Miami Dolphins announced they placed cornerback Byron Jones on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list and he will miss a minimum of four games. Players starting the season on the PUP list don’t count against the 53-man roster cap.
There have also been multiple trades made this week as teams look to make room or bolster their roster. Follow along on our preseason trade tracker for those moves.
We’re tracking the biggest moves across the league and compiling each roster cut here. We’ll add more teams throughout the day as they officially pare down their rosters:
Biggest move: The major move of the day was placing Byron Jones on the reserve/physically unable to perform list — meaning he will miss at least the first four games. The starting cornerback opposite Xavien Howard had surgery on his left Achilles tendon in March that was meant to clean up a lingering injury from the regular season. He was expected to be ready for training camp, a source told ESPN at the time, but he missed the entire summer. In Jones’ absence, former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene presumably steps into a critical opportunity as Miami’s new starter. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Waived/released: RB Sony Michel, WR Mohamed Sanu Sr., WR Preston Williams, WR Lynn Bowden Jr., DT Ben Stille, OT Larnel Coleman, OT Kion Smith, OL Kellen Diesch, RB Gerrid Doaks, DB Quincy Wilson, Jr., OL Adam Pankey, OL Blaise Andries, DT Niles Scott, RB ZaQuandre White, CB Elijah Hamilton, LB Darius Hodge, DB D’Angelo Ross, WR River Cracraft, DT Benito Jones, LB Cameron Goode, LB Porter Gustin, OL Solomon Kindley, S Verone McKinley III, WR Braylon Sanders
Reserve/suspended: CB Byron Jones, LB Calvin Munson, LB Brennan Scarlett
Biggest move: Kevin Stefanski has used multiple tight ends — fullbacks as well — as often as any coach in the NFL in his two seasons with the Browns. But Cleveland kept only two tight ends (David Njoku, Harrison Bryant) and waived its only fullback, Johnny Stanton, a fan favorite. The Browns are shifting to a more receiver-heavy, wide-open scheme. But wide receiver is the team’s biggest question mark. And backup Jacoby Brissett — not Deshaun Watson — will be quarterbacking the first 11 games. — Jake Trotter
Waived/released: QB Josh Rosen, RB John Kelly Jr., FB Johnny Stanton, WR Mike Harley Jr., WR Easop Winston, WR Ja’Marcus Bradley, WR Daylen Baldwin, WR Javon Wims, TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart, TE Miller Forristall, TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden, OT Ben Petrula, OT Alex Taylor, OG Blake Hance, OG David Moore Jr., C Brock Hoffman, DT Roderick Perry, DT Glen Logan, DE Curtis Weaver, DE Chris Odom, LB Willie Harvey Jr., LB Dakota Allen, CB Herb Miller, CB Shaun Jolly, S Jovante Moffatt, S Lavert Hill
Reserve/suspended: QB Deshaun Watson
Biggest move: Perhaps the biggest move is the one the Commanders didn’t make. They kept rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. on the active roster, two days after he was shot twice and needed surgery following an armed robbery attempt. Washington still isn’t sure when he’ll return, but the fact that he was not placed on the non-football injury list — so far — means there’s a chance he could return sooner rather than later. The Commanders love how he runs between the tackles and consistently gains positive yards. Washington kept a fourth running back, Jonathan Williams, for more insurance behind Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic just in case. — John Keim
Waived/released: OT Alex Akingbulu, DT David Bada, TE Kendall Blanton, RB Reggie Bonnafon, DE William Bradley-King, DT Tyler Clark, WR Matt Cole, CB Corn Elder, WR Alex Erickson, S Ferrod Gardner, DT Justin Hamilton, TE Jake Hausmann, LB Khaleke Hudson, CB Danny Johnson, OG Nolan Laufenberg, OG Wes Martin, WR Kyric McGowan, WR Marken Michel, OT Aaron Monteiro, CB DeJuan Neal, DE Jacub Panasiuk, S Steven Parker, RB Jaret Patterson, C Jon Toth, LB Tre Walker
Injured reserve: OT Willie Beavers, C Keith Ismael, CB Josh Drayden
Biggest move: There were very few surprises by the Falcons at the roster cutdown — tight end Anthony Firkser was perhaps the most surprising player released — but what is more intriguing is who the team kept. The Falcons might put players on injured reserve Wednesday, so it’s possible Firkser or another cut player returns quickly. Receiver Jared Bernhardt, a converted lacrosse player-turned-quarterback, made the initial 53-man roster after catching a game-winning touchdown pass against Detroit and making multiple plays against the New York Jets. One thing the Falcons did do was keep guys who offered versatility. There’s Bernhardt, quarterback-turned-tight end Feleipe Franks, cornerback-turned-running back Avery Williams and defensive lineman-turned-tight end Parker Hesse on the roster. So having flexibility is certainly key in Atlanta. — Michael Rothstein
Waived/released: DL Abdullah Anderson, CB Corey Ballentine, WR Cameron Batson, WR Stanley Berryhill, S Henry Black, EDGE Jordan Brailford, DL Darrion Daniels, WR Frank Darby, TE Anthony Firkser, TE Tucker Fisk, OL Colby Gossett, CB Matt Hankins, OL Jonotthan Harrison, RB Caleb Huntley, WR KeeSean Johnson, LB Nick Kwiatkoski, OL Ryan Neuzil, RB Qadree Ollison, TE MyCole Pruitt, OL Justin Shaffer, S Teez Tabor, DL Derrick Tangelo, DL Nick Thurman, OL Tyler Vrabel, OL Leroy Watson.
Waived/injured: LB Dorian Etheridge, TE John Raine
Biggest move: No real surprises for a roster that still has a long way to go to become consistently competitive. Cutting special teams standout Rudy Ford was interesting considering he was brought here last year in free agency by GM Trent Baalke and then-coach Urban Meyer to shore up those units. He ended up also being the team’s nickel corner at times, too. But new special teams coordinator Heath Farwell has gotten good special teams play from young guys like Josh Thompson, Chris Claybrooks and Tim Jones, and that made Ford expendable, especially since the Jaguars didn’t plan on using him on defense. Another interesting thing: The Jaguars are keeping two kickers in James McCourt and Jake Verity. The position has been a major problem since Josh Lambo injured his hip in 2020 and the Jaguars have had five kickers in training camp alone. McCourt and Verity have each been with the team less than 10 days. This is likely a short-term move. — Michael DiRocco
Traded: WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
Waived/released: DL Auzoyah Alufohai, RB Ryquell Armstead, CB Benjie Franklin, DB Brandon Rusnak, LB Chapelle Russell, OT Badara Traore, LB Tyrell Adams, S Rudy Ford, OL K.C. McDermott, WR Laquon Treadwell, DL Israel Antwine, WR Kevin Austin Jr., LB Rashod Berry, WR Jeff Cotton Jr., CB Xavier Crawford, OL Coy Cronk, OL Nick Ford, CB Gregory Junior, S Ayo Oyelola, QB E.J. Perry, TE Gerrit Prince, DT Jay Tufele, OL Darryl Williams, RB Mekhi Sargent, WR Willie Johnson (waived/injured), DT Raequan Williams (waived/injured)
Biggest move: The Cowboys have kept just one quarterback, Dak Prescott, on the 53-man roster? No, they’re not being outrageous in releasing Cooper Rush and Will Grier. Rush does not go through waivers, so can be re-signed to the practice squad. Grier has to clear waivers, which the Cowboys hope happens so they can bring him back at some point. They’re massaging the roster. They need room for injured players like Tyron Smith and James Washington, who need to be on the roster for a day before going on injured reserve in order to return later in the season. They don’t have a kicker or a long-snapper? Again, they’re not being outrageous. Brett Maher, Jake McQuaide and C.J. Goodwin (their special teams ace) will be back in some form as the team tries to work a larger roster than just 53 players when factoring in the ability to call up players from the practice squad. There is a method to their thinking. –– Todd Archer
Waived/released: QB Ben DiNucci, WR T.J. Vasher, WR Dontario Drummond, LB Malik Jefferson, LB Storey Jackson, DE Mika Tafua, DE Markaviest Bryant, OL Isaac Alarcon, OL Amon Simon, OL Braylon Jones, OL James Empey, WR Brandon Smith, DT Josiah Bronson, S Juanyeh Thomas, DT Carlos Watkins, RB Aaron Shampklin (injured), CB Isaac Taylor-Stuart (injured), OT Aviante Collins, S Tyler Coyle, TE Sean McKeon, RB Malik Davis, C Alec Lindstrom, K Brett Maher, LS Jake McQuaide, CB C.J. Goodwin, QB Cooper Rush, QB Will Grier
Reserve/NFI: LB Damone Clark
Biggest move: The Giants left themselves vulnerable at quarterback with only two options, at least for the time being. Davis Webb was cut after a strong preseason (60-of-81 passing for 458 yards, three TDs and zero interceptions). Backup Tyrod Taylor was banged up on Sunday against the Jets (back), and even though Taylor practiced on Tuesday, waiving Webb is risky. Webb could be claimed, decide to go into coaching after turning down an opportunity in Buffalo this offseason, or just sign elsewhere. That would leave the Giants scrambling at the last minute for another contingency plan entering the season. That’s really not ideal after New York had QB problems behind Daniel Jones last season. –– Jordan Raanan
Waived/released: QB Davis Webb, WR C.J. Board, S Yusuf Corker, RB Jashaun Corbin, RB Sandro Platzgummer, DB Olaijah Griffin, CB Darren Evans, CB Harrison Hand, CB Khalil Dorsey, CB Zyon Gilbert, S Nathan Meadors, S, Trenton Thompson, TE Austin Allen, OT Roy Mbaeteka, OL Josh Rivas, OT Eric Smith, OL Jamil Douglas, OL Will Holden, OL Garrett McGhin, WR Alex Bachman, WR Keelan Doss, WR Jaylon Moore, WR Travis Toivonen, OLB Quincy Roche, DL Ryder Anderson, DL Jalyn Holmes, DL David Moa, K Ryan Santoso
Biggest move: Nothing was bigger than general manager Scott Fitterer sending a 2023 seventh-round pick and 2024 sixth-rounder to Jacksonville for wide receiver Laviska Shenault, Jr., and then trading offensive lineman Dennis Daley and a 2024 seventh-rounder to Tennessee for a 2024 fifth-rounder. Shenault gives quarterback Baker Mayfield the physical receiver he needs and made wide receivers such as Brandon Zylstra and C.J. Saunders expendable. Daley wasn’t going to make the roster because the depth on the offensive line was so improved (e.g., 2021 sixth-round pick Deonte Brown was also released) during the offseason, so the higher pick was a bonus. — David Newton
Traded: OL Dennis Daley
Waived/released: TE Josh Babicz, DB Kalon Barnes, S Juston Burris, OL Deonte Brown, RB Spencer Brown, DB Tae Hayes, DB Madre Harper, DT Frank Herron, OL Mike Horton, DE Darryl Johnson, DE Drew Jordan, WR Keith Kirkwood, DE Austin Larkin, RB John Lovett, LB Arron Mosby, LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley (injured), WR Charleston Rambo, WR Ra’Shaun Henry, S Kenny Robinson, WR C.J. Saunders, OL Sam Tecklenburg, TE Colin Thompson, LB Josh Watson, WR Derek Wright, WR Brandon Zylstra
Reserve/injured: K Zane Gonzalez, LB Julian Stanford
Biggest move: The Chiefs kept nine of their 10 draft picks from this year’s class, releasing only seventh-round cornerback Nazeeh Johnson. That’s a much-needed injection of youth for a team that hadn’t drafted more than six players in a year since 2016. As many as six of the players, including first-round picks Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis, will play significant roles as rookies. — Adam Teicher
Waived/released: S Zayne Anderson, CB Dicaprio Bootle, TE Matt Bushman, G Mike Caliendo, LB Jermaine Carter, LB Jack Cochrane, WR Corey Coleman, DT Matt Dickerson, WR Jerrion Ealy, WR Daurice Fountain, TE Jordan Franks, WR Josh Gordon, OT Vitaliy Gurman, CB Nazeeh Johnson, DE Azur Kamara, S Devon Key, LB Elijah Lee, DE Kehinde Oginni Hassan, WR Cornell Powell, C Austin Reiter, DT Danny Shelton, DT Taylor Stallworth