NFL releases surprise roster cuts

NFL teams reached the 53-man roster deadline on Aug. 30, but the first wave of cuts did not settle many depth charts. The Tennessee Titans waived quarterback Will Levis, according to multiple reports, and the Dallas Cowboys waived running back Jaydon Blue on Sunday. Denver coach Sean Payton said the Broncos then spent the next 24 hours setting an initial roster, monitoring claims and building a 17-player practice squad. The result across the league was a set of “initial” rosters that remained subject to change before Week 1. ### Why did these cuts get so much attention? Will Levis drew attention because quarterbacks rarely hit the wire without becoming a leaguewide talking point. NFL.com’s cut tracker said teams were trimming to the Aug. 30 deadline, while outside reports identified Levis as one of the more notable names to be waived during the process. Jaydon Blue stood out in Dallas because he had entered camp in the mix for the No. 2 running back role. ESPN reported that Blue, a fifth-round pick in 2025, was waived on Sunday after Malik Davis won the position with a strong camp. Blue had 23 preseason carries for 94 yards and could return on the practice squad if he cleared waivers, ESPN said. (nfl.com) ### If teams already picked 53 players, why isn’t that final? The Broncos’ own description was that the process kept moving after the deadline. Sean Payton said Monday that Denver had set its initial 53-man roster, monitored waiver claims and assembled a 17-player practice squad, adding that the team “haven’t tattooed this roster” as moves continued across the league. (espn.com) George Paton, Denver’s general manager, described the exercise as ongoing rather than complete. Paton said, “It’s a puzzle. It’s ongoing,” after the Broncos set their initial roster, according to the team’s website. Payton separately called it “fluid” and said it was a tough roster to make. (denverbroncos.com) ### What exactly did Denver do after cutdown day? Denver added 17 players to its practice squad after the initial roster was set, according to the Broncos’ team site. Payton said the Broncos were “pleased with what transpired in the last 24 hours,” and the club brought back 16 players who had been with the team during the offseason, including draft picks Miles Scott and Red Murdock. (denverbroncos.com) Sam Ehlinger’s spot showed how those decisions were being made. Payton said the Broncos kept three quarterbacks on the initial 53 for the first time since 2024 because Ehlinger “earned it” and “finished the preseason well.” (denverbroncos.com) ### Which Broncos decisions showed how narrow the margin was? Justin Joly’s case underscored how quickly a team can lose a player after a cut. Payton said Denver believed the 2026 fifth-round pick would return to its practice squad if unclaimed, but the Miami Dolphins claimed him, along with cornerback Reese Taylor. (denverbroncos.com) Jaleel McLaughlin’s release was another example. Paton said waiving McLaughlin was perhaps the Broncos’ toughest decision, according to the team’s coverage of the roster moves. (denverbroncos.com) ### What should fans watch next before Week 1? The NFL’s own roster tracker framed the Aug. 30 deadline as one stage in a broader sequence of moves, with clubs continuing to adjust after cuts were announced. Denver’s comments matched that view, with Payton and Paton both saying the roster remained in flux even after the initial list was filed. (denverbroncos.com) Week 1 preparation now runs alongside waiver claims, practice-squad signings and back-end roster reshuffling. In Denver, Payton said the foundation of the 2026 roster was in place, but the Broncos were still working through decisions as the regular-season opener approached. (denverbroncos.com) (nfl.com)