The 15 most notable players released during NFL’s 2026 roster cuts

Several players from around the NFL were dealt a brutal reminder that making a team's initial 53-man roster doesn't guarantee they will remain a member of that team for long.

The NFL processed its waiver claims following its 53-man roster deadline on Monday, Aug. 31. Those claims resulted in a second batch of releases, which contained several more notable releases ahead of the 2026 seasons.

Most surprising among those was the Dallas Cowboys opting to release quarterback Joe Milton after he enjoyed a quality preseason. Even so, he was far from the only potential-packed player, or veteran with starting experience, to hit the open market.

Here's an updated look at the most notable cuts from the NFL's 53-man roster deadline for 2026 – and the waiver period that followed the annual culling.

Milton enjoyed a quality preseason for the Cowboys, completing 29 of 43 passes (67.4%) for 378 yards and three touchdowns while adding a touchdown on the ground. He earned praise from Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer for his performance and season-to-season improvement in Dallas' offense.

As a result, Milton made Dallas' initial 53-man roster. However, he was released the following day when the Cowboys claimed running back Emari Demercado…

Original source: https://www.usatoday.com/sports/