Overview
- NFL teams, which must trim rosters to 53 players by 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 30, are using the last practices and preseason games to make final personnel decisions.
- Coaches in multiple cities have said starters will sit the preseason finale, handing backups and bubble players the snaps that will most influence roster choices.
- Front offices are weighing preseason injured reserve and reserve/PUP moves because those designations keep injured players off the 53-man count but force them to miss at least four regular-season games.
- Several clubs have already made roster-management moves such as trades and cuts to shape waiver and practice-squad strategy, and local beat writers are publishing team-by-team 53-man projections and bubble lists.
- Expect heavy roster churn after the deadline with waivers, practice-squad signings and potential trades as teams scramble to protect prospects and replace depth lost to cuts or injury.