The NFL is treating roster cuts slightly differently in 2021 than in years past. After each team’s preseason game, excluding the Hall of Fame Game, they must make cuts by the following Tuesday.
This Tuesday, following the Arizona Cardinals’ 19-16 preseason-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys at State Farm Stadium, they must trim five players from the roster.
The rosters must go from 90 players to 85 this Tuesday. After next week’s preseason games, by the following Tuesday, rosters must be down to 80 players.
After the preseason finale, again by Tuesday afternoon, rosters must be cut down to the final 53. Gone are the days of waiting all Saturday for the team to announce cuts, it will be a Tuesday.
The first five cuts won’t necessarily be hard to make. If they get defensive linemen healthy, they can cut ties with some of the recent signings.
If they don’t get healthy on the defensive line, then it won’t be hard to trim a player from multiple positions — receiver, cornerback, running back, offensive line, outside linebacker, etc.
These first five cuts are tough for the players involved, but they won’t be surprises for fans.
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