NFL Roster Cuts Bring Major Changes as Teams Set 53-Man Rosters

The NFL’s roster-cut deadline brought the usual combination of surprises, veteran departures and last-minute additions as all 32 teams reduced their active rosters to 53 players ahead of the 2026 regular season. Teams faced a 6 p.m. ET deadline on Aug. 30, followed by the waiver process on Aug. 31. Fourteen teams ultimately claimed 29 players, meaning the initial 53-man rosters lasted less than a day in some cases. Several recognizable veterans were among the casualties. Chicago released defensive end Marcus Davenport, a former NFL Draft first-round pick with 25 career sacks. Houston moved on from veteran receivers Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones, while San Francisco released linebacker Deion Jones only days after acquiring him from New Orleans. The 49ers also cut veteran cornerback Eli Apple. Buffalo released three-time Super Bowl champion Mecole Hardman after rookie punter Tommy Doman Jr. also beat out veteran Mitch Wishnowsky for the punting job. Arizona’s release of running back Trey Benson was another notable move.

Waiver Claims Reshape Rosters

The activity didn’t stop when teams reached 53 players. Miami was particularly aggressive on the waiver wire, adding seven players, including quarterback Brady Cook, tight end Justin Joly, defensive backs Marcellas Dial, Reese Taylor and Julius Wood, and offensive linemen Chukwuebuka Jason Godrick and Jarrett Kingston. Dallas made one of the more interesting moves by claiming running back Emari Demercado, formerly of Kansas City. The Cowboys subsequently waived quarterback Joe Milton III despite a strong preseason in which he threw for 378 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. That left Sam Howell as Dak Prescott’s primary backup.

Key Cuts and Additions

• Cowboys: Claimed RB Emari Demercado and waived QB Joe Milton III.
• Dolphins: Claimed seven players, including QB Brady Cook and TE Justin Joly.
• Bears: Released DE Marcus Davenport, who subsequently joined Chicago’s practice squad.
• Texans: Released veteran WRs Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones.
• 49ers: Released LB Deion Jones and CB Eli Apple.
• Bills: Released WR Mecole Hardman and S Geno Stone, with Stone later returning on the practice squad.
• Cardinals: Released RB Trey Benson.
• Bengals: Released veteran QB Josh Johnson and later added QB Sean Clifford to the practice squad.
• Panthers: Claimed C Corey Bullock and officially added veteran LB Bobby Okereke.

NFL Division Betting Odds

With rosters taking their regular-season shape, attention now shifts toward Week 1 and the NFL futures markets. DraftKings‘ division odds entering the season show several tight races. Buffalo is the league’s largest division favorite at -136, while the NFC South has no team shorter than +164.

Division	Favorite	Odds	Next Closest
AFC East	Buffalo Bills	-136	Patriots +125
AFC North	Baltimore Ravens	-112	Bengals +184
AFC South	Houston Texans	+110	Jaguars +245
AFC West	Kansas City Chiefs	+160	Chargers +190
NFC East	Philadelphia Eagles	+120	Cowboys +205
NFC North	Detroit Lions	+170	Packers +225
NFC South	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	+164	Saints +265
NFC West	Los Angeles Rams	-105	Seahawks +215

The AFC West may offer the most competitive three-team race, with Kansas City at +160, the Chargers at +190 and Denver at +225. The NFC North also remains tightly packed after all four teams finished with winning records in 2025. Roster moves could still alter those numbers before kickoff. Practice squads have been filled, but teams can continue signing veterans, working the waiver wire and adjusting the bottom of their rosters as Week 1 approaches.