NFL teams completed their initial 53-man rosters Sunday with a wave of trades, injury-list decisions and veteran releases, while the Los Angeles Rams made the day’s biggest headline by bringing Aaron Donald out of retirement. Donald agreed to a one-year contract worth $20 million, with incentives that could lift the deal to $30 million, though Sean McVay said no decision has been made on whether the defensive tackle will play in the Sept. 10 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia at 5:35 p.m. ET.
SEO Title: NFL Sunday Roster Cuts, Trades and Injury Report: Aaron Donald Returns
SEO Description: Aaron Donald returns to the Rams as NFL teams finalize 53-man rosters, complete late trades, place players on injured reserve and make major quarterback decisions.
NFL roster deadline brings trades, injuries and quarterback calls
The Rams also placed quarterback Matthew Caldwell and offensive linemen Justin Dedich and Keagen Trost on injured reserve. Elsewhere in the NFC West, the 49ers released running back Khalil Herbert, receiver Trenton Irwin, offensive lineman Robert Jones, defensive lineman Quinton Bell, linebacker Deion Jones and cornerback Eli Apple. San Francisco put Isaac Guerendo on PUP with a pectoral injury, placed Christian Kirk and Austen Pleasants on injured reserve with return designations, and moved Mykel Williams to PUP. Tight end George Kittle, recovering from an Achilles issue, is expected to practice this week and remains in contention to play against the Rams in Australia.
Seattle released running back Jacardia Wright and cornerback Trevon Diggs, although general manager John Schneider plans to try to retain Diggs on the practice squad. Zach Charbonnet landed on PUP and must miss at least the first four games. The Seahawks acquired defensive back Avery Smith from the Chargers for a 2027 sixth-round selection. Los Angeles dealt Smith after sending defensive lineman TeRah Edwards to Carolina for a 2028 sixth-rounder; the Chargers also cut linebacker Junior Colson and punter J.K. Scott, placed Scott Matlock and Branson Taylor on IR with return designations, and moved Isaiah World to the non-football injury list.
Arizona acquired tight end Hunter Long and a 2028 seventh-round pick from Jacksonville for a 2028 sixth-rounder. The Cardinals released quarterback Kedon Slovis, offensive lineman Matt Pryor, linebacker BJ Ojulari and corner Sean Murphy-Bunting. James Conner went to injured reserve with a return designation, Tip Reiman was placed on reserve/PUP, and Zach Carter was sent to IR with a return designation. Undrafted quarterback Jack Strand made Arizona’s first 53, joining Michael Penix Jr., Cooper Rush and Tua Tagovailoa.
Jacksonville received the sixth-round pick in the Long trade and cut quarterback Nick Mullens and linebacker Yasir Abdullah. Patrick Mekari and Zach Durfee were placed on IR with return designations, while Sam Mustipher was put on season-ending injured reserve. The Jaguars also released running back Emari Demercado, defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and cornerback Kaiir Elam, and placed defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott on PUP.
Atlanta acquired defensive tackle Gervon Dexter from Chicago, surrendering cornerback Clark Phillips III and a 2027 fifth-rounder. Dexter, a 2023 second-round choice, has appeared in 49 games with 33 starts and recorded 13.5 sacks in three seasons. The Falcons released tackle Wanya Morris and outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari, with Trey Sermon and Jalon Walker both placed on injured reserve.
Chicago picked up Phillips and the fifth-round choice in the Dexter deal. Phillips, drafted in the fourth round in 2023, started seven of his 28 games with Atlanta and spent much of 2025 on injured reserve. The Bears released tackles Kiran Amegadjie and Jedrick Wills, with Wills receiving an injury settlement, along with defensive lineman Marcus Davenport. Brittain Brown and Ray-Ray McCloud went to IR; Shemar Turner, Noah Sewell and Kyler Gordon were placed on PUP.
Green Bay’s roster maneuvering included sending quarterback Kyle McCord to Miami for a 2028 sixth-round selection, trading running back Kaleb Johnson to the Packers for a 2028 seventh-rounder, and acquiring tight end Mark Redman from the Rams for another 2028 seventh-round pick. The Packers placed Savion Williams on IR with a return designation, moved Luke Musgrave to PUP and shifted Micah Parsons to reserve/PUP. Josh Jacobs was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and cannot practice or attend games while he faces two misdemeanor charges related to a May arrest. Green Bay released Pierre Strong.
Miami added McCord, then cut quarterbacks Mark Gronowski and Cam Miller, receivers Terrace Marshall Jr. and Jalen Reagor, linebacker Tyrel Dodson and corner Marco Wilson. Kenneth Grant and Trey Moore were placed on IR with return designations, while Darrell Baker Jr. and Storm Duck went to PUP. The Dolphins also released running back Dameon Pierce, receivers Britain Covey, Samori Toure and Quez Watkins. Their initial quarterback room features starter Jalen Hurts, Andy Dalton, Tanner McKee and rookie Cole Payton.
Minnesota kept starter Kyler Murray alongside Max Brosmer, J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz on its opening roster. The Vikings sent tackle Walter Rouse and a 2027 seventh-round pick to New England for a 2027 sixth-rounder. Minnesota placed Marcus Bryant on IR, Harold Landry on PUP and Brenden Schooler on the non-football injury list, while punter Matt Haack was released.
New England acquired Rouse and the late-round pick, then released running back Zamir White, safety Terrell Burgess and kicker Charlie Smyth. Devin Neal, Barry Wesley, Michael Heldman, Dalys Beanum and David Long were placed on injured reserve. Jordyn Tyson and Jaylan Ford received return designations, while Mason Tipton went to PUP.
AFC clubs finalize veteran moves and injury designations
Buffalo traded center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Indianapolis for a 2027 sixth-rounder. The Bills released quarterback Shane Buechele, running back Frank Gore Jr., receiver Trent Sherfield, safety Geno Stone and punter Mitch Wishnowsky. Tyrell Shavers was assigned to PUP and Zane Durant was placed on IR.
Indianapolis acquired Van Pran-Granger and released receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, tight end Pharaoh Brown, defensive lineman Colby Wooden, safety Daniel Scott and kicker Blake Grupe. D.J. Montgomery and Coleman Owen were placed on injured reserve, while Will Mallory was sent to IR with a return designation.
Houston traded offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson to San Francisco for a 2027 seventh-round pick and acquired tackle Nathan Thomas from Dallas for a 2027 seventh-rounder that originally belonged to New England. The Texans cut Brett Rypien, Sterling Shepard and Brevin Jordan. Tank Dell and Ja’Marcus Ingram went to IR with return eligibility, Ali Gaye was placed on IR, and E.J. Speed and M.J. Stewart were moved to PUP.
Dallas dealt Thomas to Houston and released running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, offensive lineman Shiyazh Pete, linebacker Sam Williams and defensive back Reddy Steward. Tight end DJ Rogers was waived with an injury designation. Marist Liufau and Devin Moore were placed on IR with return designations.
San Francisco added Patterson, then released quarterback Brandon Allen, receivers Braxton Berrios and Jalin Hyatt, offensive lineman Lucas Patrick and 2022 seventh overall pick Evan Neal. The 49ers also added Patterson’s former Houston teammate to their offensive line room through the trade compensation noted above.
Cleveland waived defensive end Logan Fano while trimming to 53 players. Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve with a return designation because of a back injury and does not count against the initial roster. Cleveland’s active quarterback group consists of Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders and rookie Taylen Green.
Denver released running back Jaleel McLaughlin and linebacker Red Murdock, the final pick of the 2026 draft. Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was moved to the Commissioner’s Exempt List and is barred from team practices and games while facing five charges stemming from June arrests. Caleb Lohner and Frank Crum were placed on IR with return designations, and Nick Gargiulo was assigned to PUP.
Detroit released quarterback Luke Altmyer and receiver Greg Dortch. Center Cade Mays was placed on injured reserve, Giovanni Manu went to the non-football injury list, and defensive backs Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph were placed on PUP.
Carolina acquired Edwards from the Chargers and released quarterback Kyle Trask. Trevor Etienne and Bam Martin-Scott were put on IR with return designations. Ikem Ekwonu and Tershawn Wharton went to PUP, while Taylor Moton was assigned to the reserve/non-football injury list.
Tampa Bay agreed to keep Sean Tucker on a fully guaranteed one-year contract worth $2.5 million, replacing the $3.52 million restricted-free-agent tender that had been due. The Buccaneers released quarterback Jake Browning and outside linebacker Chris Braswell. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels won the backup quarterback role behind Baker Mayfield, while David Sills and Josh Hayes were placed on IR with return designations.
Pittsburgh released running back Travis Homer, defensive lineman Dean Lowry and linebackers Malik Harrison and Elandon Roberts. Jack Driscoll and DeShon Elliott were placed on IR with return designations, Donte Kent landed on PUP, and Joey Porter Jr. was activated from PUP. The Steelers’ opening quarterback group is headed by Aaron Rodgers and also includes rookie Drew Allar, Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.
The Jets acquired center Jordan Meredith and a 2029 seventh-rounder from Las Vegas for a 2027 sixth-round choice. New York released quarterback Brady Cook and defensive lineman Mazi Smith, while Grant Calcaterra and Jakorian Bennett were placed on injured reserve with return designations.
Las Vegas received the sixth-round pick in the Meredith trade, then released running back Dare Ogunbowale, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, center Will Putnam and defensive end Cian Slone. Carter Runyon was placed on IR with a return designation. Rookie defensive end Keyron Crawford, selected in the third round of the 2026 draft, was sent to season-ending injured reserve. The Raiders had expected to release safety Tony Jefferson, but kept him after trades created additional roster openings.
Cincinnati released quarterbacks Josh Johnson and Hendon Hooker, receiver Charlie Jones, running back D’Ernest Johnson, receiver K.J. Osborn, guard Cordell Volson and defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson. Brian Parker II and Ja’Sir Taylor were placed on IR with return designations. Andre James and Tanoh Kpassagnon went to IR, while Dorian Mausi and Joshua Williams were given return designations.
Baltimore released receiver Chris Moore, defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny and outside linebacker Adisa Isaac. The Ravens’ remaining moves included sending Van Pran-Granger to Indianapolis as part of the late center trade.
Washington cut quarterbacks Sam Hartman and Will Levis, receiver Van Jefferson, tackle Trent Scott, defensive tackle Shy Tuttle and linebacker Krys Barnes. Jeremy McNichols and Trey Amos were placed on injured reserve with return designations, while Deatrich Wise was moved to reserve/PUP.
