Tag: 53-man roster

NFL adopts a smart bylaw change to eliminate roster chicanery

NFL adopts a smart bylaw change to eliminate roster chicanery at the 53-man roster cutdowns, allowing players to be placed on IR earlier

The NFL smartly approved a bylaw change to the way the initial 53-man roster gets constructed at the end of the preseason. Proposed by the Lions, the new rule will eliminate some of the roster chicanery that teams have been forced to do.

In the past, players who were injured during the preseason or training camp had to make the initial 53-man roster before they could be placed on injured reserve. If they weren’t on that initial roster, they were ineligible to come back in the season; being placed on IR before the season effectively meant the season was over for that player with that team.

That procedural method led to some chaos every summer, with teams cutting veterans with the explicit purpose of creating a place on the 53-man roster for a player they were going to place on injured reserve. The Lions did this last August with Craig Reynolds; they released the running back in order to open a roster spot for Julian Okwara, who was subsequently placed on injured reserve immediately after making the roster. Reynolds was re-signed as soon as Okwara’s move to IR was processed, as was the plan the whole time.

The new rule allows teams to avoid this sort of roster sleight of hand. During the final roster reduction to 53 players, teams can move up to two players to injured reserve while maintaining their eligibility to return during the season.

This is a smart change, one that will prevent the task of having to tell a player who made the 53-man roster that he’s got to suddenly be unemployed for a couple of days because one of his teammates is injured.

Broncos have 61 players under contract in 2024

Ahead of the start of NFL free agency, the Broncos have 61 players under contract.

With NFL free agency right around the corner, the Denver Broncos have 16 players scheduled to become free agents. Some of those in-house free agents will be re-signed, but the Broncos probably can’t afford to keep all of them.

Meanwhile, Denver has 61 players under contract for the 2024 season.

There are a few caveats for that number — 14 of the players listed below are reserve/future contract signees. They will not officially join the 90-man offseason roster until the new league year begins on March 13. That’s just a formality, though, so we’ve included those players as “under contract.”

Another caveat to note is that these players are under contract as of today, but their statuses could change quickly. The Broncos are expected to release quarterback Russell Wilson in March, for example, and the team could trade a few players to acquire more draft capital this spring.

With those notes in mind, here is the full list of Denver’s 61 players under contract for the 2024 NFL season.

Full Chiefs 53-man roster for Super Bowl LVIII vs. 49ers

Check out the full #Chiefs 53-man roster for Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII matchup against the San Francisco #49ers.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday after a roller-coaster season that saw the defending champions go from pretenders to contenders.

After their brutal Week 16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on Christmas, Kansas City managed to win both of its final two contests to secure the third seed in the AFC playoffs.

Their ticket to the Super Bowl was punched after three games that saw the Chiefs defeat the Miami Dolphins at home and both the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens on the road.

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Through all of the ups and downs of the 2023 season, Kansas City’s 53-man roster has largely looked the same as it did in Week 1, with a few key exceptions.

Check out every player on the Chiefs’ 53-man roster ahead of Super Bowl LVIII to see who might see action in Kansas City’s effort to secure its second-consecutive championship, listed by jersey number:

Cowboys 55-man roster for wild-card round: Elevations add needed depth at LB

The Cowboys begin their playoff journey with a roster slightly tilted towards defensive depth after two wild-card call-ups. | From @KDDrummondNFL

One of the biggest discussions over the last month of the regular season was the Dallas Cowboys’ plan at the off-ball linebacker position. Entering training camp, the plan was clear. Dallas had found a gem in third-round pick DeMarion Overshown and planned to pair him with Leighton Vander Esch as the starting duo. Behind them, second-year man Damone Clark would be the fill-in, and depth behind them could easily be managed.

By December, only Clark remained and he was being pair with converted safety Markquese Bell. The club has brought in and let go former first-round pick Rashaan Evans, and used a rotation of practice squad call-ups to help with the depth. That’s the angle the team is taking entering their home playoff game against Green Bay, using both of their call-ups on the position.

Dallas has activated both Malik Jefferson and Buddy Johnson, eschewing help from late practice squad signing Damien Wilson and offensive lineman La’el Collins.

Here’s a look at the 55-man roster for the contest.

Quarterbacks (3)
Running Backs (3)
Wideouts (6)
Tight Ends (3)
Offensive Tackles (5)
Offensive Guards (3)
Centers (2)

Defensive Ends (5)
Defensive Tackles (5)
Linebacker (5)
Cornerbacks (6)
Safeties (6)

Special Teams (3)

Broncos will begin roster evaluation next week

The Broncos will start evaluating the roster ahead of a busy 2024 offseason next week.

Two weeks removed from the conclusion of their 2023 season, Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton will start a deep dive into the roster.

It’s not only the futures of quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jarrett Stidham that are being considered. Payton and Paton will review every single player on the roster before building a plan for the 2024 offseason.

“I think it’s important — we don’t want to emotionally grade. Period,” Payton said last Friday. “Typically, the season ends. We have team meeting. We’ll visit with the players [on] Monday. Then, that week — Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday — the coaches are working on putting together their reports on their players. A lot of it is snaps, play time, an overall report. They can put it into the computer, and that’s what next week is. Then the following week, they’re off.

“Then Monday — whatever day that is — when we’re back, we start the roster review, and that usually takes three, maybe four, days. We’ll hear from the trainers. We’ll hear from the strength coaches. Every player that came through our doors that’s here, we’ll discuss in depth, health — in all elements of the program.”

In addition to deciding what to do with Wilson (Denver is expected to release him in March), the Broncos also have to make decisions on all of their in-house free agents. The list of starters scheduled to become free agents in March includes Josey Jewell, Lloyd Cushenberry, P.J. Locke and Wil Lutz.

Denver has to make some tough decisions this spring, but Denver won’t rush into those decisions. The evaluation process will soon be underway.

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Cowboys 53-man roster, practice squad for wild-card vs Packers

A look at the team’s roster as the playoffs begin. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Dallas Cowboys will soon be locked in to preparations for the tournament. The regular season is an exciting 18-week journey, but it’s all a preparation for the single-elimination battle to reign supreme over the land. Dallas’ path starts with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon, and fortunately they will be relatively healthy to start their week of practice.

A big concern was seemingly avoided when cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s dislocated shoulder wasn’t more severe. The passing game rules and the team is already without Trevon Diggs for the season. Meanwhile, they welcomed back nose tackle Johnathan Hankins and the one remaining key question is the plantar fascia foot of left guard Tyler Smith. As such, here’s a look at the 53-man roster for the wild-card round, along with the practice squad and their call-up availability, pending any moves.

Broncos’ updated 53-man roster and depth chart for season finale

Here is the Broncos’ updated 53-man roster and depth chart for the team’s final game of the 2023 season.

The Denver Broncos will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Because both teams are already eliminated from playoff contention, it will be the season finale for both clubs.

Here’s a look at the Broncos’ updated 53-man roster going into their final game of the 2023 season.

Number Position Player
3 QB Russell Wilson
4 QB Jarrett Stidham
33 RB Javonte Williams
25 RB Samaje Perine
38 RB Jaleel McLaughlin
20 FB/TE Michael Burton
82 TE Adam Trautman
84 TE Chris Manhertz
45 TE/FB Nate Adkins 
85 TE Lucas Krull
10 WR Jerry Jeudy
14 WR Courtland Sutton 
83 WR Marvin Mims 
17 WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
89 WR Brandon Johnson 
83 WR Michael Bandy
77 OL Quinn Meinerz
74 OL Ben Powers
79 OL Lloyd Cushenberry
63 OT Alex Palczewski
72 OT Garrett Bolles
73 OT Cam Fleming
75 OL Quinn Bailey
60 OL Luke Wattenberg 
76 OL Alex Forsyth 
99 DL Zach Allen
98 DL Mike Purcell
91 DL Matt Henningsen
93 DL D.J. Jones
92 DE Jonathan Harris
95 DL Elijah Garcia
56 OLB Baron Browning 
0 OLB Jonathon Cooper
42 OLB Nik Bonitto
59 OLB Thomas Incoom
47 ILB Josey Jewell
49 ILB Alex Singleton
41 ILB Drew Sanders
40 ILB Justin Strnad
57 ILB Ben Niemann
2 CB Pat Surtain
27 CB Damarri Mathis
36 CB Fabian Moreau
35 CB Ja’Quan McMillian
37 CB Riley Moss
23 CB Tremon Smith
28 CB Art Green
31 DB Justin Simmons
6 DB P.J. Locke 
34 DB JL Skinner 
26 DB Devon Key
16 K Wil Lutz
19 P Riley Dixon
48 LS Mitchell Fraboni

View the team’s updated depth chart below.

Cowboys 55-man roster for Week 18: Elevations show needs at LB, safety

The Cowboys will look to go into the playoffs on a winning streak when they take on Washington. Here’s who they’ll enter the fray with. | From @KDDrummondNFL

The Cowboys are less than 24 hours from kicking off their regular season finale for the 2023 season. With the NFC East in the balance, both Dallas and Philadelphia will hit the field simultaneously, at 3:25 pm central. The Cowboys will visit the Washington Commanders while the Eagles will tangle with the New York Giants.

Despite signing a couple former Cowboys to the practice squad this week, neither will be part of the Week 18 matchup. OL La’el Collins and linebaker Damien Wilson are depth pieces for the playoffs. Instead, the team will elevate linebacker Bobby Johnson and safety Sheldrick Redwine ahead of Sunday’s action. That speaks to the need at linebacker, but also that safety Malik Hooker is questionable with both an injury and illness hindering this week in practice.

Here’s a look at the club’s final injury report, and below, check out the complete 55-man roster of who is eligible to play.

Quarterbacks (3)
Running Backs (4)
Wideouts (6)
Tight Ends (4)
Offensive Tackles (4)
Offensive Guards (4)
Centers (2)

Defensive Ends (4)
Defensive Tackles (4)
Linebacker (4)
Cornerbacks (6)
Safeties (7)

Special Teams (3)

Broncos made 5 roster moves ahead of 2023 season finale

Broncos placed Mike McGlinchey and Delarrin Turner-Yell on IR, activated Alex Palczewski from IR, promoted Art Green and elevated Devon Key.

The Denver Broncos made five roster moves this week ahead of Sunday’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders.

First, the Broncos placed safety Delarrin Turner-Yell on injured reserve after he tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers. To provide more depth at safety after losing Turner-Yell, Denver elevated defensive back Devon Key from the practice squad to the game-day roster on Saturday afternoon.

Additionally, the Broncos placed right tackle Mike McGlinchey (ribs) on injured reserve. McGlinchey was ruled out on Friday. Denver is now set to start Cam Fleming at right tackle in Week 18.

To fill the two spots on the 53-man roster from Turner-Yell and McGlinchey going on IR, the Broncos promoted cornerback Art Green from the practice squad and elevated offensive tackle Alex Palczewski from injured reserve.

Key was a game-day roster elevation — Green and Palczewski were fully promoted to the 53-man roster. See the team’s roster moves below.

Vikings 53-man roster, elevation-eligible players vs Lions in Week 18

The Minnesota Vikings 53-man roster has seen some significant changes since their first meeting with the Detroit Lions.

The end of the 2023 NFL season is upon us and Sunday afternoon could spell the end of the Minnesota Vikings season. They only have a 3% chance to make the playoffs after losing their last three games and six of their last seven.

The Vikings had a chance to control their own destiny on multiple occasions but couldn’t make it happen for a myriad of reasons. With the final game coming against a Detroit Lions team that is still raging after feeling screwed against the Dallas Cowboys, their road to the playoffs has become that much more difficult.

Ahead of Sunday’s game,