It's a tough couple of days for players on the NFL roster bubble. More than 1,000 pros are heading for the unemployment line.
With the final preseason games having been played this past weekend, all 32 teams must trim their rosters down to 53 players apiece prior to a 4:00 pm ET deadline on Tuesday, August 29.
As a product of their deep roster, the New York Jets will ultimately release players who will be claimed off the waiver wire. Gang Green made two of those tough cuts on Monday afternoon, reportedly releasing second-year running back Zonovan Knight and undrafted rookie safety Trey Dean.
When players are released, they must pass through waivers if they have fewer than four years of NFL service time to their credit. Vested veterans who are cut automatically become free agents and are permitted to sign with any team.
Released
LB Claudin Cherelus (reports)
The HBCU product signed as a UDFA and flashed adequate ability. He was banged up in early August, but returned to make tackles in each of the final two preseason contests. Cherelus is definitely in the Practice Squad conversation.
S Trey Dean (reports)
The undrafted rookie impressed throughout a productive preseason, but not enough to convince the Jets to carry five safeties. Ashtyn Davis, a 2020 third-round draft pick, appears to have survived the safety competition. Dean, a highly-touted prospect whose draft stock took a hit due to a slow 40 time, will almost definitely receive an invitation to join the Practice Squad, but it's possible he gets scooped up on waivers before that can happen.
LB Sam Eguavoen (reports)
The former Miami Dolphins' linebacker joined the Jets after the Hall of Fame Game and totaled 3.0 tackles-for-loss over the final three preseason contests. He has played in 66 regular season career games with most of his reps coming on special teams.
RB Zonovan Knight (reports)
The second-year pro was the odd man out in the numbers game at the running back position once the Jets brought Dalvin Cook aboard. Knight, who totaled 400 yards from scrimmage over seven appearances in 2022, will almost certainly land on the Practice Squad if he's not claimed by another team, but there is rumored interest in him around the league.
OL Adam Pankey (reports)
Pankey spent much of the 2022 campaign on the Jets' Practice Squad and may wind up providing emergency guard depth in that role against this fall.
OL Greg Senat (team)
The offensive tackle, who was originally a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, was taking third-team reps for the entirety of the preseason. Senat, a Wagner College product, definitely carries value as a potential Practice Squad player.
LB Pita Taumoepenu (team)
The XFL Defensive Player of the Year was never really a serious contender for a roster spot. He was signed on August 8 after the team lost multiple depth linebackers, including Hamsah Nasirildeen, to injury. Taumoepenu did manage to record a sack in the preseason win over the Giants.
LB Nick Vigil (team)
Signed on August 6, the 2016 third-round draft pick (Bengals) was primarily a camp body.
Injured Reserve
(if placed on IR prior to the initial 53-man roster deadline, then the player is out for the entire season unless an injury settlement is reached)
CB Jimmy Moreland (team)
After spending the 2022 campaign on the Jets' Practice Squad, Moreland had a productive preseason and appeared to push CB Bryce Hall for a roster spot. The cornerback totaled 15 tackles, three passes defensed and one interception this summer.
Waived/Injured
(If not claimed, these players will revert to Injured Reserve. Jets can then retain them on IR or reach an injury settlement.)
DB Javelin Guidry (Aug. 17)
The Green & White signed Guidry off waivers from the Falcons in May. After he was waived/injured following the third preseason game, the cornerback cleared waivers and reverted back to IR.
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