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The NFL 53-man roster cutdown: Here's everything you need to know
No day hits harder for fringe players or veterans on the decline than roster cutdown day, when teams must trim their rosters to 53 players ahead of the new season.
I explain the details behind roster cutdown day, when the deadline is, and why it matters.
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What does the roster cutdown mean?
Throughout training camp and the preseason, NFL teams are allowed a maximum of 90 players on their roster. This expanded limit enables teams to more thoroughly evaluate rookies and fringe players before determining which players they intend to keep on the active roster during the regular season.
Shortly after the final preseason game, all teams must reduce their rosters to 53 players. This process is referred to as the cutdown.
When is the cutdown deadline in 2025?
Each team must submit its initial list of roster cutdowns by Tuesday, August 26, at 9pm BST / 1pm PT.
What happens to the players who do not make the 53-man roster?
Players who do not make the 53-man roster can be added to their team's practice squad or Injured Reserve (IR) list.
Players who are not added to practice squads or IR can ultimately be claimed by another team off waivers or signed as free agents.
What is the practice squad, and how many players can be added to it?
The practice squad is a group of 16 players who train with the team but cannot participate in a game unless promoted to the active roster. Of those 16 players, at least 10 must be rookies or players in their second year.
In recent years, the league has added a 17th practice squad spot exclusively for international players who participated in the International Player Pathway (IPP) Program, giving teams a chance to develop talent from outside the U.S. and Canada.
What is Injured Reserve (IR)?
Each team can place two players on IR by Tuesday, August 26, assuming those players qualify. Those players can return to the team after sitting out a minimum of four games.
What happens to players left unclaimed who aren’t added to a practice squad or IR?
Many players will get another chance to catch on with another team in time.
Some players are subject to waivers, while others are released outright. For more information about the waiver process, click here.
For many, they may never get a chance to feature in the NFL again. For this reason, cutdown day can be highly emotional for general managers, coaches, players, and their families.
Where can I view the players cut from my team?
NFL.com has a comprehensive cutdown tracker here, and DAZN News will bring you the key storylines and fallout after roster cutdown day here.
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