NFL News: Check Out Big Names Cut As Teams Trim Rosters To 53 Players
Saturday was a day of reckoning for many players in the NFL, and for every single one of the 32 teams. All had to get their rosters down to the league-mandatory 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon, and that meant making a lot of cuts. A number of big names ended up without a job while others were expected, but where will Tim Tebow, Darnell Dockett, Reggie Wayne, and others go now?
On Friday, the Philadelphia Eagles traded quarterback Matt Barkley to the Arizona Cardinals, and that seemed like a sign that Tim Tebow would have a roster spot, according to ESPN. Well, that wasn’t the case as head coach Chip Kelly cut Tebow on Saturday to keep Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez.
Thanks @Eagles and Coach Kelly for giving me the opportunity to play the game I love! Romans 8:28 #Blessed
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) September 5, 2015
It’s unclear if Tebow will ever get another shot in the NFL, but he wasn’t the only big name released on Saturday.
Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne was signed by the New England Patriots just two weeks ago, but a mutual release was agreed upon on Saturday, per Boston Globe. It was thought that he had found a new home after a long career with the Indianapolis Colts, but it wasn’t meant to be.
Other notable cuts on Saturday:
QB Matt Cassel, Bills: EJ Manuel and Tyrod Taylor got the nod as most teams are keeping just two quarterbacks now.
DL Darnell Dockett, 49ers: The 34-year-old was just signed in the offseason and expected to add talent and veteran leadership, but he couldn’t cut it.
DT Devon Still, Bengals: The story of him and his daughter Leah with her cancer treatments has made headlines for years. The Bengals simply needed the roster spot, and Still couldn’t hold up on his end.
CB Stanley Jean-Baptiste, Saints: The Saints parted ways with their second-round pick from last year, and that leaves them with just one (Brandin Cooks) from the 2014 class.
LB Jameel McClain, Giants: After starting 14 games for the Giants in 2014, he was beaten out in training camp and preseason.
LB IK Enemkpali, Bills: After being released by the New York Jets for punching QB Geno Smith and breaking his jaw, he couldn’t stay on with his new team either.
WR James Jones, Giants: He likely won’t be out of a job long, and that is especially true with injuries already piling up.
OLB Jason Babin, Jets: After many years in the league, his career may be coming to an end soon, but someone may want his veteran talent.
A lot of other players ended up on the waiver wire on Saturday afternoon, and many teams will be searching for names to fill roster spots of their practice squads. Big names are now on the market, but some of them may have seen their NFL careers finally end.
[Image via Getty Images – David Welker]
