Tuesday was the active roster cut deadline across the NFL. During the preseason, NFL teams are allowed to carry 90 players on their roster, but every team was required to trim it down to just 53 players.
Earlier in the day, it was learned that safety Mike Edwards (Chiefs), linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Packers) and linebacker JJ Weaver (Panthers) were casulaties of the deadline. Additionally, six other former Wildcats were either waived or released: Ravens quarterback Devin Leary, Broncos offensive tackle Marques Cox, Broncos safety Keidron Smith, Texans interior offensive lineman Eli Cox, Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna and Seahawks linebacker D'Eryk Jackson.
After getting released, a player will hit waivers if they have fewer than four years of service in the league. The waiver order is the same as the 2025 NFL Draft order, so the Tennessee Titans will have first dibs on claiming any player who goes on waivers.
On the other hand, any player with more than four years of experience will officially become a free agent after getting cut, so they won't be eligible to be claimed.
There were five that will begin the season with an injury designation: Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston (Injured Reserve), Saints offensive tackle Landon Young (Injured Reserve), Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson (Injured Reserve), Titans quarterback Will Levis (Injured Reserve) and Lions edge rusher Josh Paschal (Reserve/Non-Football Injury). Levis is out for the year.
It was not all bad news mid-week. There were 14 former UK players who made the initial 53-man roster:
TE Brenden Bates, Browns
EDGE Josh Hines-Allen, Jaguars
OG Luke Fortner, Saints
LB Trevin Wallace, Panthers
EDGE Bud Dupree, Chargers
RB Ray Davis, Bills
DT Deone Walker, Bills
CB Carrington Valentine, Packers
OL Darrian Kinnard, Packers
CB Zion Childress, Cowboys
CB Brandin Echols, Steelers
RB Chris Rodriguez, Commanders
CB Dru Phillips, Giants
WR WanDale Robinson, Giants
The Cowboys and Eagles kick off the NFL regular season Thursday, Sep. 4 at 8:20 p.m. ET.