Roster Cut/Injury Transactions for Fantasy Football

Aug 28, 2025

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

With just over a week until the Dallas Cowboys visit the defending Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles to kick off the 2025 regular season, each franchise has trimmed their roster to the final 53-man roster to begin the season. All 32 rosters have been finalised, and all position battles have been won or lost.

Here is a look at the major players who have either been released by their prospective 2025 employers or who have landed on the Injured Reserve / Physically Unable to Perform lists heading into Week 1. I've attempted to offer my thoughts on the impact these transactions will have on fantasy football in the coming year. Enjoy!

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals released quarterback Clayton Tune, leaving Jacoby Brissett to back up Kyler Murray. They also waved goodbye to running back Michael Carter and wide receiver Simi Fehoko.

Atlanta Falcons

Kaleb McGary was placed on Injured Reserve and will miss the entire 2025 season. The Falcons' right tackle was the 17th-best run-blocking tackle in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. This isn't great news for Bijan Robinson, who averaged 5.3 yards per attempt rushing behind right tackle last season. Quarterbacks Easton Stick and Ben DiNucci were released by the team, with Kirk Cousins still around to serve as Michael Penix's backup.

Baltimore Ravens

No major moves.

Buffalo Bills

The Bills released reserve wide receivers Laviska Shenault and K.J. Hamler. Neither profiled to have much of a role in 2025, and it's unlikely they'll make much noise on another roster.

Carolina Panthers

Running back Jonathan Brooks was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list back in May and will miss the entire 2025 season. It's another cruel injury blow for a player who has yet to really get going in the NFL. Chuba Hubbard should continue to operate as the Panthers' workhorse, although Rico Dowdle will get his touches too.

The Panthers released Hunter Renfrow, who caught 269 balls for 2,884 yards and 17 touchdowns in five seasons with the Raiders. This move, in concert with the trade of Adam Thielen, suggests the Panthers are trusting a youth policy in their receiving corps. This makes Tetairoa McMillan a player to target in the mid rounds of fantasy drafts while increasing the sleeper appeal of Jalen Coker and Xavier Leggette.

Chicago Bears

Running back Travis Homer will begin the season on Injured Reserve and is eligible to return in Week 6. He'll be back to compete for touches behind D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson, but is not likely to be a major fantasy factor unless something happens to those two players.

The Bears also released Royce Freeman, who rushed for 521 yards as a rookie back in 2018 but hasn't topped 319 yards since his second season in the league. Miles Boykin was also released, with the Bears having invested heavily in their receiving corps over the last two seasons.

Cincinnati Bengals

Tight end Erick All was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. While All could, in theory, return in Week 5, his twice-torn ACL is likely to keep him out for the entire 2025 season. Mike Gesicki and Noah Fant are the main receiving options at tight end for the Bengals this season.

Running back Zack Moss was released, paving the way for a monster opportunity share for Chase Brown this season. The Bengals also released Desmond Ridder, leaving Jake Browning to act as Joe Burrow's backup.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback DeShaun Watson was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List. Watson is rehabbing an Achilles injury, and while he could return at some point in the 2025 season, his disastrous play as a Brown should mean he won't suit up for them again.

The Browns also released Tyler Huntley and traded away Kenny Pickett, leaving Joe Flacco as the starter with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders behind him on the quarterback depth chart. Wide Receiver Diontae Johnson, who was on four different rosters in 2024, was released, along with kicker Dustin Hopkins. Hopkins set new career lows in 2024 with a 66.7% successful field goal rate while only converting 85% of his extra points.

Dallas Cowboys

Wide receiver Jonathan Mingo was placed on Injured Reserve and is eligible to return in Week 5. When he returns, he'll try to carve out a role alongside target magnet CeeDee Lamb and new addition George Pickens.

The Cowboys also released Deuce Vaughan, who played just 14 games in two seasons with the team, rushing 40 times for 110 scoreless yards.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos released running back Audric Estime and wide receiver A.T. Perry. Estime couldn't carve out a role in his rookie season, totalling 337 yards from scrimmage while averaging a timed 4.2 yards per touch. Perry made some noise as a member of the Saints in 2023, averaging 20.3 yards per reception. He didn't play a single snap in 2024, and couldn't crack the Broncos roster with Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims, and Troy Franklin set to start in three wide receiver sets.

Detroit Lions

The Lions released quarterback Hendon Hooker, who was a third-round pick in 2023. Hooker attempted just nine passes as a member of the Lions and lost out on the backup quarterback job to Kyle Allen.

Green Bay Packers

Wide receiver Christian Watson was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Watson tore his ACL in the last game of the regular season and is eligible to return in Week 6.

The Packers released wide receiver MeCole Hardman, who has never been able to do anything away from the safe confines of the Chiefs' offense, while also setting loose running backs Israel Ibanikanda and Tyrion Davis-Price.

Houston Texans

Running back Joe Mixon was placed on the Reserve/Non-Football Injury list, ruling him out for at least the first four games of the season. There are serious concerns as to whether Mixon will suit up at any stage of the campaign, leaving Nick Chubb as the lead back in the Texans' backfield to start the season. Wide receiver Tank Dell was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list and is eligible to return to action in Week 5. Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury against the Chiefs back in December, and his eligibility to return should not be seen as a likelihood to return, at least in 2025.

The Texans released tight end Harrison Bryant, who they recently acquired as part of the trade that sent John Metchie to the Eagles. Cade Stover looks set to be the second tight end behind starter Dalton Schultz, though he is unlikely to have much fantasy appeal should anything happen to Schultz.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts released tight end Jelani Woods, an athletic freak who was simply unable to translate his athletic gifts into production in the NFL. Tyler Warren figures to dominate the opportunities among all Colts tight ends this season. Khalil Herbert was also released, after averaging a mere 3.8 yards per touch for the Bears and Bengals last season.

Jacksonville Jaguars

No major moves.

Kansas City Chiefs

No major moves.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders released running back Sincere McCormick and tight end Albert Okwuegbunam. McCormick started two games last season, rushing a total of 39 times for 183 scoreless yards. Okwuegbunam caught 33 balls for 330 yards and two scores for the Broncos in 2021. But in the last three seasons combined, he has played just 12 games, with none coming in 2024. The Raiders are well-stocked at tight end with stud second-year player Brock Bowers and steady blocking option Michael Mayer.

Los Angeles Rams

No major moves.

Los Angeles Chargers

Left tackle Rashawn Slater was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a torn patellar tendon injury in the preseason. Slater was the third-best blocking tackle in all of football in 2024, according to Pro Football Focus. Joe Alt will move to protect Justin Herbert's blindside in 2025 after playing there for 77 snaps last season.

The Chargers released backup quarterback Taylor Heinicke, wide receivers Jalen Reagor and Brenden Rice, and running backs Nyheim Miller-Hines and Kimani Vidal. Vidal came into the league as something of a fantasy darling in 2024, but he managed only 155 yards on 43 carries as a rookie. The Chargers are moving forward with rookie Omarion Hampton, while hoping Najee Harris can contribute something if he recovers from his eye injury.

Miami Dolphins

Running back Alexander Mattison was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a neck injury in the preseason. Mattison will miss the entire campaign. Jaylen Wright and rookie Ollie Gordon will compete for opportunities in the backfield, and both make for intriguing back-of-the-roster stashes should anything happen to starter De'Von Achane.

Minnesota Vikings

Rondale Moore was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve for the second year in a row after suffering a knee injury during the preseason. Moore was unlikely to make much of a fantasy impact, but the wide receiver depth behind the All-Planet Justin Jefferson was something of a concern, so much so that the Vikings swung a trade to bring Adam Thielen back to the team.

New England Patriots

Wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering a shoulder injury during the preseason. Polk will miss the entire season after a disappointing rookie campaign that saw him catch just 12 of 33 targets for 87 yards. The Patriots have invested in their offense somewhat this offseason, but behind new signing Stefon Diggs, the pass-catching corps is a work in progress. Kendrick Bourne was also released after the team failed to find a trade partner.

New Orleans Saints

The versatile Taysom Hill was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will be eligible to return to action in Week 5. Hill suffered a torn ACL last season, and his actual timetable is not clear at present. The Saints will have to find conventional ways to move the ball and rack up fantasy points in the early weeks of the season. The Saints released running backs Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire, as well as wide receiver Dante Pettis, which would be shocking news in 2020, perhaps. Kendre Miller should be the primary backup to Alvin Kamara, and Brandin Cooks and Rashid Shaheed will compete for targets with Chris Olave. The Saints also parted ways with quarterback Jake Haener, who started one game for the team in 2024.

New York Giants

Cult hero backup quarterback Tommy DeVito was released by the Giants, along with tight end Greg Dulcich. Dulcich posted a 33-411-2 line as a rookie for the Broncos in 2022, but he has played a total of 11 games since.

New York Jets

The Jets spent a third-round pick on wide receiver Malachi Corley in 2024, but after just three receptions and 16 receiving yards, they have decided to end the relationship. The Jets don't have a ton of receiving options behind Garrett Wilson, but they project to be among the league's most run-heavy offenses in 2025, so Corley was deemed surplus to requirements.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Quarterback Factory experienced a few layoffs this week, with the Eagles releasing both Dorian Thompson-Robinson and rookie Kyle McCord. New acquisition Sam Howell will back up Jalen Hurts while regular deputy Tanner McKee nurses a finger injury. The Birds also released former Panthers wide receiver Terrace Marshall.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Tight end Donald Parham was placed on Injured Reserve after tearing his Achilles tendon during OTAs. He'll miss the entire season. Parham faced an uphill struggle competing for looks at the tight end spot with Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth.

The Steelers released veteran wide receiver Robert Woods, who hasn't topped 556 yards in a season since 2020.

San Francisco 49ers

Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered last season. He is eligible to return in Week 5, but whether he'll be the player he was before the injury is one of the biggest questions of the entire fantasy season. Wide receivers Jacob Cowing and Trent Taylor also made their way onto the Injured Reserve. With Jauan Jennings still not training in full, Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle look like being the big winners from an opportunity viewpoint in the 49ers' passing game.

The 49ers also released Terique Owens, son of former 49er and Hall of Fame wideout Terrell Owens, Robbie Chosen, and Isaiah Hodgins, along with running backs Ke'Shawn Vaughn and Jeff Wilson.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks released wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling after he signed with the team in March. He was quickly picked up by the wide receiver-needy 49ers. Rookie running back Damien Martinez was waived, leaving the main running back work to be carried out by Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Wide receiver Jalen McMillan was placed on Injured Reserve with a neck injury. He's eligible to return in Week 5. Chris Godwin avoided the PUP list, but he won't be fit to play until well into the season. The absence of this duo means a great early opportunity to impress for rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka.

Tennessee Titans

Running back Tyjae Spears was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering an ankle injury during the preseason. He is eligible to return in Week 5, but his absence opens up the possibility of Tony Pollard dominating the Titans backfield, making him an ideal Zero RB candidate in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts. Quarterback Will Levis is out for the season after offseason shoulder surgery, while the Titans waved goodbye to former first-round pick Treylon Burks a few weeks ago.

Rookie wide receiver and college teammate of first-overall pick Cam Ward, Xavier Restrepo didn't make the final 53, but was signed to the practice squad. He may well make his way onto the roster at some point, but for now, the receiving work for the Titans will be down to Calvin Ridley and tight end Chig Okonkwo.