Overview
- Teams completed mandatory 53-man cuts over the weekend and processed the 24-hour waiver window that began Monday at 1 p.m. ET, letting clubs claim players by waiver-priority order.
- The cutdown produced a huge pool of available players — more than 1,000 leaguewide — creating a fast, competitive market for claims and practice-squad signings.
- Practice squads are now being filled under the 2020-era rules that allow 16 standard players plus one International Pathway exemption and up to six veteran spots, with each practice-squad player eligible for three game elevations before needing a full active‑roster signing.
- Teams are using short-term roster tactics to protect players: clubs placed some on IR or PUP and temporarily released vested veterans to re-sign them later, and several clubs have already announced early practice‑squad adds and planned veteran re-signings.
- The Baltimore Ravens typify the scramble, having waived 28 players and cut five vested veterans while trying to recover developmental pieces such as Chris Moore, K'Von Wallace and IPP defensive lineman David Olajiga as they build a 16- or 17-player practice squad.