Decision day has officially arrived in the NFL.
By 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, all 32 teams will have to cut their rosters to 53 players. The roster-cutting deadline will surely prove painful for many teams around the league, as both under-promising rookies and established veterans could suffer significant setbacks as they try to continue to fight for their football futures. But for others, the day could serve as a dream come true if they are included on an active initial roster.
A handful of franchises already began releasing or waiving players Monday, with some making a dozen or more trades. USA TODAY Sports will be providing live news and updates on all roster moves throughout Tuesday, so check back often for all the latest:
Lions’ backup QB battle intensifies
The Detroit Lions appear to have made a decision regarding their initial backup quarterback.
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The team is releasing Nate Sudfeld, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported, clearing the way for second-year passer Hendon Hooker to take the job behind starter Jared Goff.
Sudfeld served as Goff’s backup in 2022 but tore his ACL last August. Hooker, a third-round pick out of Tennessee, spent much of his rookie season recovering from the torn ACL he suffered late in his final college season. Now, though, he appears poised to be the No. 2.
Patriots part ways with QB Bailey Zappe
The New England Patriots are still figuring out their quarterback profile for the start of the regular season, but Bailey Zappe won’t be part of it — at least on the active roster.
According to multiple reports, the team is parting ways with the third-year passer.
A fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky in 2022, Zappe has started eight games for the Patriots over the past two years. He was released at last year’s deadline but later returned to the team and started six games in 2023, throwing for 1,272 yards with six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
A return to the active roster this season is unlikely, however, with the team set to rely on veteran Jacoby Brissett, No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye and developmental sixth-round passer Joe Milton III.
Texans end trial with former first-round pick
The Houston Texans are releasing cornerback CJ Henderson, NBC Houston’s Aaron Wilson reported, ending the team’s experiment with the former first-round pick.
Henderson, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, signed a one-year deal with the Texans in March after spending the last two and a half seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Houston was looking for reinforcements behind Derek Stingley in the secondary, but the team appears ready to move forward with rookie Kamari Lassiter, Desmond King II and potentially another former first-round pick in Jeff Okudah.
Packers change kicker
Anders Carlson, a sophomore out of Auburn, had a shaky rookie season and appeared to be losing the battle with veteran Greg Joseph. Carlson, who missed a 32-yard field goal attempt on the final kick of the preseason, made 27 of 33 field goal attempts and 34 of 39 extra point attempts last season. ESPN was the first to report Carlson’s release.
More information on Packersnews.com
Which notable players are likely to be released?
Last week, USA TODAY Sports took a look at several key figures who could be on their way out of the board. The latest names that could be sent elsewhere include:
Kadarius Toney, receiver, Chiefs: His chances of staying with the two-time defending champions already seemed uncertain, and that was before Kansas City brought back JuJu Smith-Schuster on Monday.
Tim Patrick, receiver, Broncos: A trade could be in order for a team in need of receivers, but Denver has no intention of moving forward with Patrick, according to multiple reports, after he suffered two season-ending injuries over the past two summers.
Samaje Perine, RB, Broncos: Another potential player who could be traded by Denver, Perine averaged 4.5 yards per carry and 50 receptions last season.
Which recognizable players have already been fired?
Jackson Carman, OT, Bengals: The 2021 second-round pick was unable to stick around as a backup after an unstable camp and preseason.
Mike White, QB, Dolphins: After seemingly losing out to Skylar Thompson in the battle to become Tua Tagovailoa’s backup, White will now try to latch onto another team as a potential No. 2.
Matt Breida, RB, 49ers: Although he rushed for 1,902 yards in three years during his first stint with the team, Breida’s second stint in the Bay Area was cut short after less than a month.
Keep an eye on the quarterback’s movements
Only one trade has already occurred since the end of the preseason: The Tennessee Titans sent Malik Willis to the Green Bay Packers on Monday. Willis leaves a dead end in Nashville and gets a fresh start and the opportunity to be Jordan Love’s primary backup with the Packers.
Don’t be surprised to see similar moves Tuesday, given the premium on quarterbacks, but it’s likely many clubs have no more than two on their 53-man roster. Veterans like the Atlanta Falcons’ Taylor Heinicke or the Denver Broncos’ Zach Wilson are the kind of players who could fit the bill — veterans with experience but expiring contracts and no real claim to the QB2 role in their current situation.
Important actors involved in procedural transactions
Releasing, waiving or trading players aren’t the only ways to reduce a roster to 53 players. A good number of other players, including many stars, will be retained in other categories that will exempt them (at least temporarily) from the 53-man roster. Here are some notable players who won’t start the year on active rosters:
List of PUPs: Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne (ACL), Dolphins OLB Bradley Chubb (ACL), Browns RB Nick Chubb (knee), Rams TE Tyler Higbee (knee), Vikings TE TJ Hockenson (knee), Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell (knee), DE Charles Omenihu of the Chiefs (ACL), OL Isaiah Wynn of the Dolphins (quadriceps).
NFI List: Panthers RB Jonathon Brooks (knee).
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What is the NFL’s deadline for roster cuts?
All rosters must have 53 players by 4 p.m. ET Tuesday.
What happens once the deadline for submitting lists has passed?
NFL teams have until noon ET on Wednesday, Aug. 28, to claim players who were released as part of league-wide roster cuts. Once those claims are resolved, clubs will begin filling out their practice squads.
How big are NFL practice squads?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams are now allowed to sign up to 16 players to their practice squad, which will complete the 53-man roster. Up to 10 players with two or fewer seasons of playing time can join a given practice squad, while up to six other players with unlimited NFL seasons are also eligible for roster spots.
A 17th international player can be added if he meets certain eligibility requirements.
