At the conclusion of NFL training camp each year, proven veterans are cut for myriad reasons. These 20 prominent NFL players are cut candidates at the end of the training camp.
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Austin didn't sign with the Jags until early August, but the former first-round pick still has a tall task in making Jacksonville's roster. He appeared in only four NFL games last season and is buried on the depth chart.
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A 2018 first-round bust to this point, Bryan has to play his way onto the Jaguars roster on a new team regime. The Florida alum had only 18 tackles in 16 games last season.
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Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 season to fight the pandemic as a healthcare worker, and he's likely lost his starting job to rookie Trey Smith upon returning. A hand injury could keep him out for the rest of training camp, which is especially unfortunate timing.
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Foles is Chicago's No. 3 quarterback in training camp after the team signed Andy Dalton and drafted Justin Fields. A prime trade candidate, Foles' contract could prevent teams from taking a flier and cause the former Super Bowl MVP to be released.
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Freeman signed with New Orleans at the start of training camp, but he's hardly guaranteed a roster spot. The former Falcons star struggled with the Giants last season and is well down on the Saints depth chart.
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Harrison saw significant playing time in Cleveland last year, but the team has much more safety depth this year with the return of Grant Delpit and the addition of rookie Richard LeCounte. Acquired for a fifth-round pick from the Jaguars last year, Harrison will have to play himself onto the team.
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A former first-round pick by Washington, Haskins is just hoping to win a roster spot to back up Ben Roethlisberger. His preseason performance will be significant, and there's a good chance he will fail to make the team despite the raw talent.
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Jordan Hicks, LB, Cardinals
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Arizona remedied their linebacker issues by selecting Zaven Collins in the draft, leaving Hicks without a starting spot. Despite recording 118 tackles as a starter last season, Hicks could be looking for another team after training camp.
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Jordan Howard, RB, Eagles
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Howard's roster spot could be in trouble after the Eagles added Kerryon Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell in the offseason. The two-time 1,000-yard rusher with the Bears struggled in seven games played last season.
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The Dolphins beefed up their wide receiving depth in the offseason with the additions of Will Fuller and rookie Jaylen Waddle. After opting out of the 2020 season, Hurns could have a tough time in a numbers game for the talented Miami squad.
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Ingram signed with Houston in the offseason but still has to prove he has something left. Running back is an area of depth for Houston with David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, and Rex Burkhead also on the roster, and Ingram showed signs of age last season.
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Jefferson missed all of last season due to a knee injury but is trying to make the 49ers roster. The former starting safety in Arizona and Baltimore will need to impress at age 29.
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A former second-round pick by Buffalo in 2017, Jones showed flashes early in his career but has yet to take off with the Raiders over the last two years. After the team added wideout depth in the offseason, cracking the roster could be difficult.
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Lamar Miller, RB, Washington
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Miller was once a bell-cow back in Houston, but he bounced from roster to roster last year. He could be nearing the end of his NFL road at age 30.
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Morris signed with the Giants in early August, but the three-time 1,000-yard rusher with Washington has appeared in only 10 games over the last two seasons. He continues as Saquon Barkley insurance for New York, but will likely be cut if Barkley proves healthy for the start of the season.
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Nassib admirably came out as the first active openly gay NFL player in the offseason, but he still has some work to do to make the Raiders roster. He has 20.5 career sacks in five seasons but will need to have a good camp after the Raiders signed Yannick Ngakoue at defensive end.
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Andre Smith, OT, Ravens
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Injuries have plagued Smith for much of his career, but he has a potential new start with Baltimore. The team could use the depth after trading Orlando Brown Jr. in the offseason, but Smith will have to prove he has something left at age 34.
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Benny Snell, RB, Steelers
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Pittsburgh's running back room is crowded with young backs, and it's unlikely the team can keep them all. The Steelers drafted Najee Harris to be their starter, leaving recent draftees Snell, Anthony McFarland Jr., and Jaylen Samuels, along with Kalen Ballage, fighting for roster spots.
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Solder opted out of the 2020 season and has now lost his starting spot to a pair of second-year tackles. The Giants spent big money to acquire Solder in 2018 but might decide to go younger after Solder's year away.
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Chicago saw major turnover in the secondary during the offseason and took a chance on Trufant after he played a total of 15 games over the last two seasons due to injury. Going on age 31, he's no sure thing to break camp with his new team.