NFL Changes Roster Cut-Down Dates, Process for 2022

Alan Saunders |

Updated: Jun 29, 2022

NFL Hip-Drop Tackle Free Agent — CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 01: A detail view of a NFL Crest logo is seen on goal post pad in action during a game between the Chicago Bears and the New Orleans Saints on November 1st, 2020 at Soldier Stadium, in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)

The NFL will have a new cut-down procedure and dates to get clubs from the 90-man offseason roster to the 53-man regular season roster in 2022. Teams will cut players in three phases after having had one big cut-down on most recent years.

Teams will cut from 90 to 85 players on Aug. 16, following the first weekend of the NFL preseason. The second wave of cuts will see another five players released on Aug 23, bringing the clubs down to 80 players after the second preseason game. After the third and final weekend of the preseason, teams will cut down to 53 players on Aug. 30.

These changes, in addition to the reduction of the preseason from four games to three in 2021, could mean that more veterans could take part in the preseason games that are played. The preseason has been cited as complaint of ticket-holders, with full priced charged to season ticket holders for games usually full of players that won’t be with the team in another week or two.

All of the deadlines above occur at 4 p.m. on the date listed.

When the waiver claims from the final cut-down process at noon on Aug. 31, teams can begin to fill their 16-player practice squads.

Starting at 4 p.m. on Aug. 31, players added to the injured reserve list can be activated once healthy. Players that are put on IR before that date must stay on the list throughout the season.