The NFL is about to undergo its final roster purge of the 2021 preseason. As always, it will be the largest one.
By 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 31, NFL teams will have to cut their 80-man rosters down to just 53 ahead of the regular season. That means that roughly 864 players will find themselves without work, even if it’s just temporary.
Most of the players cut were fighting for practice squad spots, so their respective releases will not be surprising. However, every year there are a few unexpected cuts that catch NFL fans off guard. Last year, a couple of running backs — Adrian Peterson and Leonard Fournette — were cut by Washington and Jacksonville respectively. Both found work shortly thereafter.
Odds are that will happen again for some of the players that are released. Teams will continue to tinker with their rosters ahead of the season, and that’s why there’s a waiver period for players in the 24 hours following final cuts. Those that don’t end up on rosters will have a chance to ink practice squad contracts when that period ends. NFL teams have 16 practice squad spots for 2021.
Here’s a look at every player that is looking for work after the NFL’s cut to 53.
MORE: How much do NFL practice squad players make?
NFL cuts tracker 2021: Live team-by-team roster updates
Below are the NFL roster cuts made ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline to trim rosters down to 53. Cuts will be listed as they come in.
(NFL roster cuts news via NFL.com, team reports and other media reports.)
Arizona Cardinals roster cuts
- OL Shaq Calhoun
- RB Tavien Feaster
- WR KeeSean Johnson
- OL Michal Menet
- DL Cam Murray
- CB Picasso Nelson
- WR A.J. Richardson
- LB Evan Weaver
- P Ryan Winslow
- LB Bryson Young
- DB Chris Banjo
- CB Jace Whittaker
- WR Andre Baccellia
- DB James Wiggins
- S Shawn Williams
- LB Terrance Smith
Atlanta Falcons roster cuts
- CB Delrick Abrams
- DL Eli Ankou
- OL Willie Beavers
- WR Trevor Davis
- DL Zac Dawe
- LB Emmanuel Ellerbee
- RB D’Onta Foreman
- WR Juwan Green
- RB Caleb Huntley
- S Dwayne Johnson
- OLB Kobe Jones
- OL Sam Jones
- P Dom Maggio
- OL Ryan Neuzil
- WR Antonio Nunn
- S JR Pace
- TE John Raine
- WR Chris Rowland
- OL Joe Sculthorpe
- OLB Tuzar Skipper
- DL Chris Slayton
- OL Kion Smith
- LB Erroll Thompson
- TE David Wells
- CB Chris Williamson
Baltimore Ravens roster cuts
- WR Devin Gray
- WR Siaosi Mariner
- OL Michael Schofield
- TE Tony Poljan
- DT Justin Ellis
- DB Nigel Warrior
Buffalo Bills roster cuts
- WR Brandon Powell
- CB Tim Harris
- RB Kerrith Whyte
- OL Jack Anderson
- WR Tanner Gentry
- TE Quintin Morris
- TE Nate Becker
- RB Antonio Williams
- OL Jamil Douglas
- WR Steven Sims
- TE Jacob Hollister
- DB Cam Lewis
- DB Josh Thomas
Carolina Panthers roster cuts
- QB Will Grier
- S Doug Middleton
- K Joey Slye
- LB Paddy Fisher
- LB Jonathan Celestin
- RB Darius Clark
- WR Ishmael Hyman
- WR Omar Bayless
- RB Spencer Brown
- DL Frank Herron
- OL Mike Horton
- CB Jalen Julius
- WR Keith Kirkwood
- OLB Christian Miller
- TE Stephen Sullivan
- OL Aaron Monteiro
- WR C.J. Saunders
- OL Sam Tecklenburg
- CB Rashaan Melvin
- DB Kenny Robinson
- RB Reggie Bonnafon
Chicago Bears roster cuts
- TE Scooter Harrington
- OL Adam Redmond
- DL Daniel Archibong
- DB Dionte Ruffin
- WR Chris Lacy
- WR Riley Ridley
- OL Dieter Eiselen
- WR Jon’Vea Johnson
- LB Sam Kamara
- CB Thomas Graham Jr.
- RB Ryan Nall
- K Brian Johnson
- RB Artavis Pierce
- LB James Vaughters
- LB Charles Snowden
- OL Arlington Hambright
- WR Isaiah Coulter
- WR Dazz Newsome
Cincinnati Bengals roster cuts
- OL Michael Jordan
- TE Mason Schreck
- CB Antonio Phillips
- WR Trent Taylor
- RB Pooka Williams Jr.
Cleveland Browns roster cuts
- S Elijah Benton
- WR Ja’Marcus Bradley
- TE Jordan Franks
- G Colby Gossett
- DE Porter Gustin
- LB Willie Harvey
- WR KhaDarel Hodge
- DE Joe Jackson
- RB John Kelly
- QB Kyle Lauletta
- DE Cameron Malveaux
- TE Kyle Markway
- S Jovante Moffatt
- C Javon Patterson
- S Sheldrick Redwine
- CB Emmanuel Rugamba
- LB Tegray Scales
- FB Johnny Stanton IV
- OT Alex Taylor
- DE Curtis Weaver
- DT Marvin Wilson
- CB Brian Allen
- DT Sheldon Day
- LB Elijah Lee
- WR JoJo Natson
Dallas Cowboys roster cuts
- QB Garrett Gilbert
- QB Ben DiNucci
- S Darian Thompson
- DL Ron’Dell Carter
- S Tyler Coyle
- DT Austin Faoliu
- S Steven Parker
- OT Eric Smith
- RB JaQuan Hardy
- RB Brenden Knox
- OL Braylon Jones
- DB Deante Burton
- WR Brandon Smith
- WR Johnnie Dixon
- TE Artayvious Lynn
Denver Broncos roster cuts
- QB Brett Rypien
- LB Curtis Robinson
- OT Drew Himmelman
- FB Adam Prentice
- WR Kendall Hinton
- TE Austin Fort
- TE Shaun Beyer
- OL Austin Schlottmann
- CB Saivion Smith
- DL Isaiah Mack
- WR Tyrie Cleveland
- OLB Derrek Tuszka
- CB Mac McClain
- RB Stevie Smith
- WR Seth Williams
- DB Trey Marshall
- LB Barrington Wade
- WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
- OL Quinn Bailey
- DL Marquiss Spencer
Detroit Lions roster cuts
- WR Breshad Perriman
- CB Mike Ford
- WR Victor Bolden
- DT Miles Brown
- DB Alijah Holder
- OL Evan Heim
- WR Damion Ratley
- OT Dan Skipper
- OT Tyrell Crosby
- LB Jahlani Tavai
- RB Craig Reynolds
- DL Bruce Hector
- WR Geronimo Allison
- LB Tavante Beckett
- OL Darrin Paulo
Green Bay Packers roster cuts
- CB Stephen Denmark
- CB Rojesterman Farris
- RB Dexter Williams
- OL Ben Braden
- DB Christian Uphoff
- QB Kurt Benkert
- DL Tipa Galeai
- DB Kabion Ento
- WR Reggie Begelton
- K JJ Molson
- WR Equanimeous St. Brown
- DL Willington Previlon
- LB Ray Wilborn
- WR Damon Hazelton
- WR Juwann Winfree
- TE Bronson Kaufusi
- DL Carlo Kemp
Houston Texans roster cuts
- OL Carson Green
- RB Buddy Howell
- OL Danny Isidora
- TE Ryan Izzo
- CB Rasul Douglas
- CB Shyheim Carter
- QB Jeff Driskel
- LB Tae Davis
- CB Cornell Armstrong
- OL Jordan Steckler
Indianapolis Colts roster cuts
- S Sean Davis
- CB Holton Hill
- LB Curtis Bolton
- S Ibraheim Campbell
- OL Will Holden
- RB Benny LeMay
- RB Deon Jackson
- DL Kameron Cline
- TE Kahale Warring
- DL Andrew Brown
- S Shawn Davis
- LB Malik Jefferson
Jacksonville Jaguars roster cuts
- CB Corey Straughter
- WR Laquon Treadwell
- DL Doug Costin
- LB Quincy Williams
- S Josh Jones
- WR Jeff Cotton Jr.
- WR Phillip Dorsett
Kansas City Chiefs roster cuts
- RB Derrick Gore
- LB Zayne Anderson
- RB Darwin Thompson
- QB Shane Buechele
Las Vegas Raiders roster cuts
- DB Isaiah Johnson
- OL Devery Hamilton
- WR Keelan Doss
Los Angeles Chargers roster cuts
- LB Jessie Lemonier
- CB KJ Sails
- LS Cole Mazza
- OL Tyree St. Louis
- OLB Davin Bellamy
- LB Nate Evans
- OT Darius Harper
- WR John Hurst
- TE Matt Sokol
- CB Donte Vaughn
- DL Willie Yarbary
- TE Hunter Kampmoyer
- LB Emeke Egbule
- LB Joe Gaziano
- DB John Brannon
- WR Michael Bandy
- K Michael Badgley
- RB Darius Bradwell
Los Angeles Rams roster cuts
- CB Brontae Harris
- OL Jeremiah Kolone
- WR Jeremiah Haydel
- OL Jordan Meredith
- CB Donovan Olumba
- DB Troy Warner
- DL Eric Banks
- WR Landen Akers
- LB Christian Rozeboom
Miami Dolphins roster cuts
- CB Tino Ellis
- DL Tyshun Render
- WR Khalil McClain
- C Matt Skura
- LB Benardrick McKinney
- RB Jordan Scarlett
- FB/TE Carl Tucker
- WR Kai Locksley
Minnesota Vikings roster cuts
- RB Ito Smith
- C Cole Cabral
- DT Zeandae Johnson
- DE Hercules Mata’afa
- WR Myron Mitchell
- TE Shane Zylstra
- OL Kyle Hinton
- OL Dakota Dozier
- LB Tuf Borland
- TE Zach Davidson
- OL Dru Samia
- QB Jake Browning
New England Patriots roster cuts
- QB Cam Newton
- DL Montravius Adams
- WR Kristian Wilkerson
- WR Isaiah Zuber
- DB Myles Bryant
- G Alex Redmond
- DB Adrian Colbert
- TE Matt LaCosse
- DB D’Angelo Ross
- DB Dee Virgin
- OL Will Sherman
- DL Bill Murray
- WR Tre Nixon
- DT Akeem Spence
- K Nick Folk
New Orleans Saints roster cuts
- RB Devonta Freeman
- OL Christian Montano
- DL RJ McIntosh
- OL Derrick Kelly
- CB Natrell Jamerson
- DB Eric Burrell
- LB Shaq Smith
- DL Josiah Bronson
- FB Alex Armah
- WR Kawaan Baker
- WR Easop Winston
- OL JR Sweezy
- OL Caleb Benenoch
- QB Trevor Siemian
New York Giants roster cuts
- OL Chad Slade
- DB Madre Harper
- TE Nakia Griffin-Stewart
- LB Niko Lalos
- WR Matt Cole
- WR David Sills
- QB Brian Lewerke
- WR Damion Willis
- RB Corey Clement
- WR Alex Bachman
- WR Austin Mack
- DL Willie Henry
- OL Jonotthan Harrison
- OL Kenny Wiggins
- OL Jake Burton
- OL Brett Heggie
- DL Ifeadi Odenigbo
- LB Devante Downs
- DB Chris Johnson
New York Jets roster cuts
- DB Lamar Jackson
- WR Lawrence Cager
- S Bennett Jackson
- DL Jeremiah Valoaga
- DB J.T. Hassell
- OL Corey Levin
- LB Aaron Adeoye
- OL Jimmy Murray
- OL David Moore
- DE Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
- WR Vyncint Smith
- RB Josh Adams
- TE Kenny Yeboah
Philadelphia Eagles roster cuts
- DE JaQuan Bailey
- RB Elijah Holyfield
- TE Cary Angeline
- LB Rashad Smith
- WR Marken Michel
- QB Nick Mullens
- RB Jason Huntley
- OL Ross Pierschbacher
- DB Michael Jacquet
- WR Andre Patton
- DB Craig James
- DL Raequan Williams
- WR Travis Fulgham
- WR John Hightower
- DB Andrew Adams
Pittsburgh Steelers roster cuts
- TE Marcus Baugh
- S Lamont Wade
- RB Tony Brooks-James
- CB Shakur Brown
- DT T.J. Carter
- WR Anthony Johnson
- CB Lafayette Pitts
- G Malcolm Pridgeon
- WR Matthew Sexton
- WR Tre Nixon
- LS Kameron Canaday
- P Jordan Berry
- WR Rico Bussey
- WR Anthony Johnson
San Francisco 49ers roster cuts
- OL Senio Kelemete
- C Jake Brendel
- RB Josh Hokit
- TE MyCole Pruitt
- S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
- WR Travis Benjamin
- WR Nsimba Webster
- DB Alexander Myres
Seattle Seahawks roster cuts
- WR Darece Roberson
- TE Ian Bunting
- TE Cam Sutton
- OL Tommy Champion
- OL Jared Hocker
- WR Travis Toivonen
- DL Jarrod Hewitt
- CB John Reid
- OL Jordan Simmons
- TE Tyler Mabry
- WR Connor Wedington
- OL Brad Lundblade
- WR Cody Thompson
- DB Gavin Heslop
- WR Aaron Fuller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster cuts
- CB Antonio Hamilton
- TE Tanner Hudson
- LB Joe Jones
- TE Jerrell Adams
- LB Elijah Ponder
- WR Jaydon Mickens
- WR Travin Jonsen
- DB Chris Wilcox
- DB Herb Miller
- TE Codey McElroy
- WR Cyril Grayson
Tennessee Titans roster cuts
- LB John Simon
- S Clayton Geathers
- DL Freedom Akinmoladun
- LB Cassh Maluia
- DB Nate Brooks
- DL Kobe Smith
- RB Javian Hawkins
- OL Chandon Herring
- OL Brett Qvale
- DL Jeremiah Ledbetter
- OL Brandon Walton
Washington Football Team roster cuts
- QB Steven Montez
- OL Jon Toth
- RB Jonathan Williams
- WR Antonio Gandy-Golden
- RB Peyton Barber
- OT David Sharpe
- DE Bunmi Rotimi
- OL Wes Martin
- CB Jimmy Moreland
- S Jeremy Reaves
- OT David Steinmetz
- DE William Bradley-King
- CB Danny Johnson
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- DB Linden Stephens
- DB Cole Luke
- TE Caleb Wilson
- LB Joe Walker
- WR Isaiah Wright
- DL Devaroe Lawrence
- DL Daniel Wise
- C Keith Ismael
- DT Gabe Wright
- OL Beau Benzschawel