When is the NFL's roster cut deadline? Date, time
All NFL preseason games are over, and with it, the last chances for players on the fringes of all 32 teams' rosters to prove themselves worthy of a spot. It's decision time for NFL front offices.
Each NFL team must trim its roster down to its final, 53-man allowance ahead of the start of the regular season. With every team allowed a maximum of 90 rostered players in the offseason, some tough decisions are ahead for some teams to get under the threshold. Several notable players have and will continue to be released, waived, traded or placed on the injured reserve.
Though the NFL regular season still does not start for another week and a half, the roster cut deadline is this week. Make sure to follow USA TODAY's live coverage of the cut deadline for all of the latest news on important moves.
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When do NFL teams need to cut to 53-man roster?
The 53-man roster cut deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 4 p.m. ET.
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Teams then have until noon ET the following day (Wednesday, Aug. 28) to make waiver claims on players that have been released as part of final cuts.
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"Released" vs. "waived" meanings
Released: Veteran NFL players with careers of four years or longer can be released. This means they hit free agency immediately and can negotiate and sign with any interested team.
Waived: NFL players with a career of fewer than four years are not immediately released. Instead, they are placed on waivers, allowing the other 31 teams to place a waiver claim on said players. Waiver order, like the first round of the draft, is in reverse order of the previous year's standings.
Should a player go unclaimed on the waiver system, he becomes a free agent. Like with released players, the unclaimed, waived player may then negotiate and sign with any interested team.
How many players can be on a practice squad?
Often, released or waived players sign with a practice squad – either that of the team that released/waived them or that of another team. Practice squad players do not count toward a team's 53-man roster allowance.
Each team is allowed up to 17 players on a practice squad.
As the name suggests, these players most often serve as extra help during practice as part of a scout team throughout the regular season and postseason. They may also be promoted to the main roster or sign with another team's 53-man squad as extra reinforcement at any point during the season.
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