With the NFL preseason and Sunday’s roster cut deadline on Sunday in the books, each team’s initial 53-man roster has been set.We’ve kept track of all the transactions for each team and outlined each team’s initial 53-man roster now that the first wave of moves is in the rearview mirror.AdvertisementAmong the high-profile players to get cut was quarterback Will Levis, a former second-round pick who reportedly requested the release to get a fresh start with a new team. Levis officially cleared waivers Monday, making the former Kentucky QB a free agent. The Seahawks also cut CB Trevon Diggs just two weeks after signing him, though they’ve since signed him to the practice squad.A few teams surprised on Sunday — including the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles — by keeping four quarterbacks on their initial 53-man rosters (though the Vikings have since pared down to three with the release of Max Brosmer on Monday).Not all moves on Sunday included players getting traded or cut. Longtime NFL defensive tackle Aaron Donald officially made the decision to un-retire, and he is rejoining the Rams on a one-year, $20 million deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Also, Packers running back Josh Jacobs and Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper have been placed on the commissioner’s exempt list while the NFL looks into domestic violence allegations against both players. Other players, such as Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, Ravens WR Rashod Bateman and Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson, may land on the exempt list on a later date.Follow along with Yahoo Sports for the latest NFL news, injury updates and more leading up to Week 1 of the regular season.Live344 updatesMon, Aug 31, 2026 10:50 PM UTCIan CasselberryReceiver Brandon Aiyuk isn’t currently on the San Francisco 49ers’ roster and that isn’t likely to change soon, according to general manger John Lynch.”Nothing has changed there,” Lynch said on Monday, via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco. “He’s on the reserve/left squad list and as such, he’s just kind of not on our roster.”If not for being on the reserve/left squad list, Aiyuk would be due a $24.935 million option bonus on Sept. 1 as part of the four-year contract extension he signed two years ago.However, Lynch said the team doesn’t currently owe any money to Aiyuk because he defaulted on his contract. That negated the $27 million in guaranteed money in the deal, in addition to the option bonus, according to Maiocco.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 10:40 PM UTCIan CasselberryAfter being traded to the Dallas Cowboys from the Pittsburgh Steelers, offensive lineman Broderick Jones spoke to reporters on Monday and said he was eager for a “fresh start” with his new team.”I felt like it was needed,” Jones said, via ESPN’s Todd Archer. “Just getting out of Pittsburgh and seeing a new scenery, getting a new vibe.”Jones added that part of his issues with the Steelers was switching between right and left tackle. But the Cowboys intend to keep him at right tackle, where he’ll compete with Terence Steele for the starting position.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 09:15 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonThe New York Jets claimed kicker Blake Grupe on Monday. In a subsequent move, the Jets released veteran kicker Jason Sanders.Head coach Aaron Glenn had said earlier in the day that Grupe and Sanders would compete for the starting gig, but hours later, Sanders was let go.The veteran kicker looked poised to be the regular-season starter for New York, but missed a field goal and an extra point in the Jets’ final preseason game.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 08:39 PM UTCJason OwensAs expected, the Washington Commanders placed starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve Monday.Tunsil sustained a torn triceps in training camp and is expected to miss a significant portion of the season. It’s a blow for the Commanders as they seek to take a step forward with third-year quarterback and former Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.Tunsil is a five-time Pro Bowler and a key to Washington’s offense. The good news for the Commanders is that his placement on injured reserve leaves the door open for his return at some point in the season. He’ll be required to miss the team’s first four games while on injured reserve.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 08:28 PM UTCRyan YoungJoe Milton’s time in Dallas is over.The Cowboys released the backup quarterback on Monday, ending his short tenure with the franchise. In a corresponding move, running back Emari Demercado was claimed by the Cowboys off waivers from Kansas City.In his one year backing up Dak Prescott with the Cowboys, Milton appeared in four games. He threw for 183 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions, while completing 15 of his 24 attempts.For more on Milton’s release, click here.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 07:45 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonPittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan reiterated on Monday that the team does not deal with player extensions during the regular season.As such, cornerback Joey Porter Jr.’s extension would need to be done by the Steelers’ first game against the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.Reports came out last week that the two sides were at an impasse and that there hadn’t been much progress toward an extension.Porter, a second-round pick in 2023, is heading into the final year of his rookie deal and is expecting a hefty contract extension.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 07:21 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonMon, Aug 31, 2026 07:13 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonThe Baltimore Ravens have signed Jake Moody to the practice squad, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, creating some competition for Tyler Loop.Moody has been in the NFL for three years. He began his career with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023 and spent two full seasons with them. The Niners released him after one game in the 2025 season.The kicker then played two games for the Chicago Bears and six for the Washington Commanders over the remainder of the season.Loop ended his preseason 5 of 8 on field goal attempts, but missed two kicks in Baltimore’s preseason finale.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 07:04 PM UTCIan CasselberryIf there was any thought that the New York Jets would try to pick up a quarterback from waivers after cutting Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook, head coach Aaron Glenn silenced that notion by formally announcing that rookie Cade Klubnik will be the team’s backup QB behind Geno Smith.Klubnik was the Jets’ fourth-round draft pick out of Clemson. During the preseason, he completed 21 of 34 passes for 190 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.Mon, Aug 31, 2026 06:05 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonThe waiver claims have been announced, and former Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis was not claimed. He is now a free agent and can sign with any team.Overall, 29 players were claimed across the league. The Miami Dolphins led the way with seven claims. Players not claimed are now free agents.Another notable transaction was the Kansas City Chiefs claiming linebacker Jack Pyburn. He was one of the primary plaintiffs in the Louisiana NCAA eligibility case and was seeking an extra year of collegiate eligibility. After being claimed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pyburn is withdrawing his name from the case.Here is a breakdown of the claims:FalconsLB Yasir AbdullahLB Jared IveyT Cameron WilliamsPanthersC Corey BullockBengalsT Myles HintonBrownsDB Toriano PrideCowboysRB Emari DemercadoColtsDB Kapena GushikenChiefsDT Bryson EasonLB Jack PyburnRaidersDB Darrell LuterDolphinsQB Brady CookDB Marcellas DialT Chukwuebuka GodrickTE Justin JolyT Jarrett KingstonDB Reese TaylorDB Julius WoodVikingsG Trevor KeeganC Nick SamacPatriotsTE Cameron LatuLB Darius MuasauSaintsT Mason MurphyDT Colby WoodenJetsK Blake GrupeLB Trevin WallaceTitansLB Owen PapoeDB Melvin SmithDT Nazir StackhouseMon, Aug 31, 2026 05:14 PM UTCIan CasselberryThe Las Vegas Raiders have the top spot for waiver claims after NFL teams made their final roster cuts on Sunday.With first dibs on available players, the team is expected to claim cornerback Darrell Luter Jr., who was waived by the San Francisco 49ers, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Darrell Luter Jr. was the San Francisco 49ers’ fifth-round selection in 2023 out of South Alabama and played in 27 games over three seasons. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox) (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)Luter, 26, was the 49ers’ 2023 fifth-round pick out of South Alabama. He played in 17 games for the 49ers last season, starting three of them. Luter compiled 28 total tackles with 1 fumble recovery and 1 pass defended.The Raiders can claim as many players as they prefer with their No. 1 spot, according to Schefter.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 11:15 PM UTCKari AndersonShortly after getting another chance with the Seahawks, cornerback Trevon Diggs has been cut by his third team in less than a year, per multiple reports. Diggs signed with the team on Aug. 19, but is let go less than two weeks later.However, Seattle general manager John Schneider says that the team intends to keep Diggs on the practice squad if he clears waivers, via The Seattle Times’ Gregg Bell. That allows Diggs, who is reportedly already a hit in the Hawks’ locker room, to acclimate to the team and return to full practice.Diggs was released by the Cowboys in December after a series of injuries, including three knee surgeries. He claimed by the Packers off waivers, but was released by the team last January.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 10:26 PM UTCKari AndersonIn a somewhat surprising move, undrafted rookie quarterback Joe Fagnano has made Baltimore’s initial 53-man roster, via ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Fagnano will be the team’s third-string QB behind Lamar Jackson and veteran backup Tyler Huntley.Fagnano earned his place after an impressive preseason: Across all three games, Fagnano went 56-of-75 on passing, throwing 509 yards and three touchdowns will sharing snaps with the rest of the QB room.Fagnano went undrafted after seven (yes, seven) seasons of college football, first with Maine and later with UConn. He signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent alongside Heisman finalist Diego Pavia, who was waived by the team before training camp started.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 10:23 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonThe Pittsburgh Steelers are activating cornerback Joey Porter Jr. from the PUP list, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.The corner was on the PUP list because of a back injury. He is also heading into the final year of his rookie contract.Porter was the 32nd overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but it was the first pick of the second round because another team forfeited its first-round pick.Because of this, he doesn’t have an available fifth-year option. Porter very well may have had a back injury throughout the preseason, but he also may have been holding in for a new deal, something that hasn’t happened with two weeks until the team’s season opener.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 10:16 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonThe Arizona Cardinals are adding veteran running back James Conner to injured reserve with a designation to return, per The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero.Conner is recovering from a dislocated ankle suffered early in the 2025 season. Being added to short-term IR means that he will miss at least the first four games of the season for Arizona.The veteran RB will miss games against the Chargers, Seahawks, 49ers, and Giants. The first game he could return for would be in Week 5 against the Detroit Lions on October 11.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 10:11 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonRichardson was the talk of trade speculation all offseason after he requested a trade. Despite this, Indianapolis not only hasn’t moved the quarterback but also isn’t attempting to pass him through waivers to add him to the practice squad.The 53-man roster cutdown deadline was 6 p.m. ET, and when the dust settled, Richardson remained on the Colts’ active roster.Daniel Jones will be the starter with Richardson and Riley Leonard backing him up.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 10:03 PM UTCFrank SchwabA year ago, it was inconceivable that all eyes would be on J.J. McCarthy, and whether he’d stick with the Minnesota Vikings, during the NFL’s roster cutdown weekend.For now, he’ll avoid the ignominy of being one of the rare quarterbacks drafted in the top 10 to be cut after 10 or fewer starts.McCarthy has made the Vikings’ final 53-man roster, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. There was speculation he could be traded for very little or simply cut, but the Vikings aren’t throwing in the towel yet.For more, read here.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 09:52 PM UTCTeddy RicketsonThe Pittsburgh Steelers are keeping four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Many wondered who the odd man out would be between Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar.The answer ended up being: none of them.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 09:47 PM UTCJason OwensOdell Beckham Jr. is back where he started.The veteran NFL receiver has made the 53-man roster for the New York Giants, according to multiple reports.For more, read here.Sun, Aug 30, 2026 09:46 PM UTCJason OwensThe Houston Texans shook up the depth on their offensive line Sunday with a pair of trades. Per multiple reports, they traded with the Cowboys to acquire tackle Nathan Thomas, who made four starts in 17 appearances for Dallas in his first NFL season in 2025.Meanwhile, the Texans reportedly traded interior lineman Jarrett Patterson to the 49ers. Patteron’s made 21 starts in 39 NFL appearances in three NFL seasons. He started 5 games and played in 17 last season.The returns on both trades were not initially reported.
