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NFL Teams Set 53-Man Rosters as Waivers Clear and Practice Squads Take Shape

The waiver period closed Monday, triggering teams to sign 16-player practice squads, shift players to IR, protect roster depth.

Overview

  • Teams completed the mandatory cut from 90 to 53 players on Sunday, producing more than 1,000 releases that went through a 24-hour waiver window that closed Monday.
  • Most outlets reported the waiver-award deadline as 1:00 p.m. ET Monday, though at least one report cited a 12:00 p.m. ET processing time, a minor timing discrepancy in coverage.
  • After waivers were processed, clubs began signing practice squads under the current rules that allow 16 players plus a 17th International Player Pathway exemption and up to six veteran spots.
  • Teams used roster tools such as Reserve/IR, PUP designations and the procedural release of vested veterans to protect players from waivers and preserve roster flexibility during the follow-up moves.
  • Transactions are ongoing as teams finalize depth: several clubs (Green Bay, Baltimore, Jacksonville) announced early practice-squad additions and individual moves like Tyrel Dodson signing with Carolina, and waiver priority will shape further claims.