December 31, 2023; Chicago, IL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) drops again to move in the course of the first half in opposition to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Subject. Photograph credit score: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports activities The primary week of preseason ends on Sunday, and groups can have extra details about the gamers within the bubble as they make roster choices.
Yearly, there are gamers who’re anticipated to make the crew however turn into coaching camp casualties. We have seen two veterans launched in current days: New England Patriots receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and San Francisco 49ers tight finish Logan Thomas.
Extra shocking cuts are coming, particularly when unknown gamers emerge who additionally occur to be cheaper than veterans on the similar place.
Here is a listing of eight gamers who is likely to be sweating it out within the days main as much as the season:
QB Taylor Heinicke, Falcons
It appeared like a good suggestion for him to re-sign with Atlanta, however that was earlier than the crew signed Kirk Cousins ​​in free company and drafted Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 total decide. If Penix exhibits within the preseason that he is able to being QB2, Heinicke could also be requested to show over his playbook.
RB Jeff Wilson Jr., Dolphins
This appears like a very good insurance coverage coverage for dependable runners Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane in case they get injured. However now it seems fourth-round decide Jalen Wright (55 yards on 10 carries in his preseason opener) will knock Wilson off the roster.
WR Allen Lazard, Jets
October 1, 2023; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets huge receiver Allen Lazard (10) catches the ball in the course of the first half at MetLife Stadium, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs Workforce cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) defends. Photograph credit score: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports activities Oh yeah, cannot make Aaron Rodgers offended or he’ll be sulking for every week. However Lazard has 23 catches, 311 yards and one rating in 2023, and it would not make sense to take a $10 million base wage this season. However the latter’s efficiency has declined considerably.
Large receiver Kadarius Toney, Chiefs
December 10, 2023; Kansas Metropolis, MO, USA; Kansas Metropolis Chiefs huge receiver Kadarius Toney (19) scores a landing in the course of the second half in opposition to the Buffalo Payments at GEHA Subject at Arrowhead Stadium Rating. The sport might be forfeited on account of an offensive penalty. Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports activities What number of ropes did Tony have on that spectacular 65-yard punt return within the Tremendous Bowl victory over the Eagles 18 months in the past? He averaged simply 6.3 yards per catch final season and was hampered by ankle and again accidents this preseason. The Giants will waive him in 2022 and the Chiefs will waive him sooner or later. The query is whether or not that would be the case now.
S Damar Hamlin, Invoice
Damar Hamlin goes by means of pregame warmups on Monday Evening Soccer. Picture supply: Getty Pictures When he practically died on the sphere in Cincinnati late within the 2022 season, his profession path modified endlessly. Surprisingly, he was nonetheless enjoying final season, however he solely had 17 defensive snaps in 5 video games. Releasing him might be emotionally troublesome for the Payments and the Buffalo space, however within the NFL, manufacturing is what issues most.
CB James Bradbury, Eagles
December 18, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks huge receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) catches the ball from the Philadelphia Eagles within the fourth quarter at Lumen Subject A landing move from cornerback James Bradbury (24). Obligatory Credit score: Joe Nickerson-USA TODAY Sports activities Philadelphia chosen Quinion Mitchell (twenty second total) from Toledo and Cooper Dejean (fortieth total) from Iowa State early within the NFL draft. Once you draft two cornerbacks that tall, there’s normally a reservation. It might be 31-year-old Bradberry, who retired final season and is coming into the second yr of a three-year, $38 million deal.
Peyton Turner, Saints
The No. 28 decide within the 2021 draft has performed in simply 15 video games over three seasons and has three profession sacks. That is not precisely what New Orleans thinks. Accidents have been a problem, as he performed in simply two video games final season on account of a toe damage, and he not too long ago injured the identical toe.
G. Royce Newman, Packers
He seemed like a stable fourth-round decide when he began 16 video games in 2021, however his manufacturing has declined and he has began simply eight of 34 video games over the previous two seasons. Inexperienced Bay has three offensive linemen chosen within the 2024 draft, so a numbers sport will ensue and somebody from final yr’s crew might be packing.
