This coming weekend is one of the busiest on the NFL’s cyclical calendar, as all 32 teams must cut their rosters down from 90 to 53 players by Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET.What this means is that, unfortunately, more than 1,100 players will be released, waived or shelved with an injury designation over the coming days. Some will end up on practice squads or subsequently picked up by other teams—others will be traded—but for many, this marks the end of the road for their time in the NFL.RELATED: NFL Preseason Risers and Fallers: Who Has Helped and Hurt Their Roster ChancesAs a result, there likely will be a handful of surprising releases around the league as teams either look to get younger or simply move on from players who aren’t in their future plans.Here at Sports Illustrated, we’ll track all of the news, reports and notable releases around the NFL leading into Sunday afternoon. Follow along!Aaron Donald is officially returning to the RamsAaron Donald is returning to the Rams. | USA TODAY SportsAaron Donald is back.According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Donald is coming out of retirement to sign a one-year, $20 million contract with the Rams. The deal includes incentives that could be worth up to $30 million.Donald, 35, is an eight-time first-team All-Pro, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and helped Los Angeles win Super Bowl LVI in 2021. He originally retired after the 2023 season, but will now return to the Rams—alongside Myles Garrett on a stacked defensive line—as he looks to earn himself another championship ring.Los Angeles must cut it’s roster down to 53 players before Sunday’s 6:00 p.m. ET deadline, and now has clarity that Donald will be on it.Most notable players cut ahead of 2026 seasonWR Marquez Valdes-ScantlingThe Cowboys are releasing Marquez Valdes-Scantling. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Cowboys are releasing veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.Valdes-Scantling, 31, spent four seasons with the Packers after being drafted in the fifth round in 2018. He’s since spent time with the Chiefs, Bills, Saints, Seahawks, 49ers and Steelers—winning two Super Bowls with Kansas City. QB Will LevisThe Titans are waiving QB Will Levis. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Titans are waiving quarterback Will Levis.Levis, 27, was selected by Tennessee in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft. He started 21 games over his first two seasons—going just 5–16—before missing the entirety of the 2025 season due to injury. The Titans had been open to trading Levis for “some time,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “In the end,” he wrote on X, “Both sides move on.” OL Wanya MorrisWanya Morris was released by the Falcons on Sunday. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Falcons are moving on from OT Wanya Morris just over two months after trading for him.According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Daniel Flick, Atlanta is releasing the former third-round pick ahead of Sunday's final roster cuts.LB Elandon RobertsThe Steelers released linebacker Elandon Roberts. | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConnectVeteran linebacker Elandon Roberts was released by the Steelers on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.The 32-year-old was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth-round in 2016 and spent four seasons there before logging stints with the Dolphins (2020 to ’22), Steelers (’23 to ’24) and Raiders (’25). Roberts returned to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal earlier this summer, but couldn’t crack the roster.QB Jake BrowningJake Browning was released by the Buccaneers. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectAfter reports surfaced on Sunday morning that rookie Jalon Daniels had won the Buccaneers’ backup quarterback job, the team released veteran Jake Browning.Browning had been battling with Daniels and Connor Bazelak for a spot in Tampa’s quarterback room behind Baker Mayfield. QBs Cam Miller, Mark GronowskiCam Miller was waived by the Dolphins on Sunday. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Dolphins waived quarterbacks Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski on Sunday, just one day after trading Quinn Ewers to the Jaguars.The moves leave Miami with only one quarterback, starter Malik Willis, on the roster. They’ll be in the market for a backup in the coming days.DT Mazi SmithThe Jets released Mazi Smith on Saturday. | Cooper Neill/Getty ImagesThe Jets are releasing former first-round pick Mazi Smith, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Smith was selected with the No. 26 pick in the 2023 draft by the Cowboys and spent his first 3.5 seasons in Dallas before being sent to New York at last year’s trade deadline in the Quinnen Williams deal. The 25-year-old has tallied 57 tackles and two sacks throughout the course of his career.WR Mecole HardmanThe Bills are releasing Mecole Hardman. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectMecole Hardman is being released by the Bills ahead of the NFL’s roster cutdowns, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Hardman signed with Buffalo’s pracice squad last November after being released by the Packers, and boomeranged on and off their active roster for the season—catching a four-yard touchdown from Josh Allen in the team’s divisional round loss to the Broncos in January. A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs, the 28-year-old pass-catcher is a vested veteran and is now free to sign with any club.P Mitch WishnowskyMitch Wishnowsky spent the 2025 season with the Bills. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectThe Bills informed veteran punter Mitch Wishnowsky that they plan to release him, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero.Wishnowsky, 34, spent the 2025 season in Buffalo, but has now lost the job to rookie seventh-round pick Tommy Doman Jr. WR Cedric TillmanTillman was released before the Browns' final preseason game. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Browns began their roster cuts prior to their preseason finale against the Patriots on Thursday, waiving wide receiver Cedric Tillman. Tillman, 26, was a third-round pick by Cleveland in 2023, and caught 71 passes for 833 yard and five touchdowns over three seasons. He was set to make $3.6 million in 2026—the final year of his rookie contract—and is now subject to waivers.NFL roster cuts 2026 live updatesAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow