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Patriots cut 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange

Tue Aug 26 11:57pm ET
Field Level Media

If Mike Vrabel was looking to make a statement move in his first season as head coach of the New England Patriots, he certainly did so on Tuesday.

With rosters required to be trimmed to 53 players, the Patriots cut guard Cole Strange, a first-round pick in 2022.

Though offensive line is viewed as one of New England's weaker areas, the club parted ways with a player who started 29 games in three seasons with the Patriots.

According to reports, 2025 third-round pick Jared Wilson is expected to start at left guard when the Patriots open their season at home against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 7.

Strange started all 17 games as a rookie but was limited to 10 games -- all starts -- in 2023 because of a knee injury. He also missed the first 14 games of last season still recovering from the injury.

New England selected Strange with the 29th pick out of Chattanooga in 2022 -- a pick that many pundits viewed with skepticism when it was made.

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Player Notes
Robert Tonyan Aug 27 1:13am CT
Robert Tonyan

Dynasty | The Chiefs have released tight end Robert Tonyan. Dynasty Analysis: In 2020, Tonyan had a 52/586/11 line for the Packers in 16 games. In his other 69 games played, he has a total of six other scores. It's a truly unbelievable stat but reinforces the fact he's been truly a one-hit wonder. Such has been the case with so many other players waived today, as Tonyan just hasn't been able to resurrect magic he once had in his career. At this point, he's far away from any dynasty roster.

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Sam Ehlinger Aug 26 10:40pm CT
Sam Ehlinger

Denver Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger was released on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The move comes as Denver trims down its roster to 53 players, and it leaves the team with just Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham in its quarterback room. Ehlinger appeared in all three preseason games, completing 42 of 57 pass attempts for 415 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. He also took four sacks. The former sixth-round pick hasn't appeared in a regular season game since the 2022 campaign with the Colts. He's a candidate to join the practice squad in Denver or elsewhere, but his path to playing time includes numerous obstacles. He should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Robert Tonyan Aug 26 10:40pm CT
Robert Tonyan

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Robert Tonyan was released on Tuesday, the team announced. The move leaves Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, and Jared Wiley as the Chiefs' three rostered tight ends. Tonyan has spent seven seasons in the NFL, and he made waves with 52 catches, 586 yards, and 11 touchdowns as a Green Bay Packer in 2020. Outside of that campaign, he has been unexceptional, as his reception count dwindled to 11 in 2023 and zero in 2024. It remains to be seen whether Tonyan will land on another 53-man roster or if he'll have to settle for a practice squad spot.

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Easton Stick Aug 26 10:30pm CT
Easton Stick

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Easton Stick was released on Tuesday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The move helped the Falcons trim their roster down to 53 players, and it leaves Atlanta with only Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins in its quarterback room. Stick appeared in all three preseason games, completing 54 of 78 pass attempts for 520 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also took five sacks. The former fifth-round pick spent his first six NFL seasons with the Chargers before inking a deal with Atlanta in April. Now, he'll look for a new landing spot as Week 1 approaches. NewOrleans.Football's Mike Triplett reported that the Saints looked into signing Stick before he wound up with Atlanta, so perhaps they'll continue to show interest now that he's a free agent again. Regardless of where the veteran quarterback ends up, he should be avoided in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Tank Dell Aug 26 10:20pm CT
Tank Dell

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) was placed on the PUP list Tuesday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. This was merely a procedural move to get Dell off the 53-man roster ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Placement on the PUP list comes with the requirement that a player misses at least four games, which won't be a problem for Dell given that he's expected to be sidelined for most or all of the season while he recovers from a dislocated knee and torn ACL, MCL, and LCL. Nico Collins and Christian Kirk will operate as C.J. Stroud's primary targets in the passing game, while tight end Dalton Schultz and rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel also look to get involved.

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Deuce Vaughn Aug 26 9:00pm CT
Deuce Vaughn

The Dallas Cowboys waived running back Deuce Vaughn on Tuesday, but he could return as a member of the team's practice squad, according to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News. Now 23 years old, Vaughn joined the Cowboys as a sixth-round pick from Kansas State in 2023. He appeared in 14 games in his first two seasons and totaled 110 yards on 40 carries. In his bid for a roster spot this summer, Vaughn played in all three of the Cowboys' preseason games and ran for 64 yards on 17 attempts. It wasn't enough to convince Dallas to put Vaughn on its roster. The team will instead open the season with Javonte Williams, Jaydon Blue, Miles Sanders, and Phil Mafah as its running back quartet.

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Trevor Siemian Aug 26 9:00pm CT
Trevor Siemian

The Tennessee Titans released quarterback Trevor Siemian on Tuesday. However, they'd like to bring him back as a member of their practice squad, according to Paul Kuharsky. The 33-year-old journeyman yo-yoed between the Titans' active roster and practice squad in 2024, but he didn't appear in any games. He rejoined the Titans as a free agent earlier this month and went on to complete 8 of 11 passes for 68 yards in two preseason games. The Titans will head into the season with rookie starting QB Cameron Ward, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, and veteran backup Brandon Allen.

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Robbie Chosen Aug 26 9:00pm CT
Robbie Chosen

The San Francisco 49ers released wide receiver Robbie Chosen on Tuesday despite a productive preseason. After he signed with the 49ers earlier this month, the 32-year-old appeared in all three of the team's exhibition games and racked up nine catches for 117 yards. Chosen was a factor earlier in his career, especially when he amassed 95 receptions for 1,096 yards and three touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. His numbers have dropped off considerably since then, though, and he combined for just five catches in 11 games with the Miami Dolphins from 2023-24.

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Case Keenum Aug 26 8:40pm CT
Case Keenum

Chicago Bears quarterback Case Keenum (leg) has made the 53-man roster and will open 2025 as the team's third-string signal-caller. Keenum has been dealing with a minor leg injury this month, but it won't be enough to keep him off the roster. The well-traveled 37-year-old joined the Bears in free agency in April after a second stint with the Houston Texans. He didn't play at all last year after suffering a foot injury and hasn't attempted 100-plus passes in a season since 2019, which he spent with Washington. With Caleb Williams entrenched as QB1 and Tyson Bagent locked into the No. 2 role, Keenum shouldn't see any meaningful action this season unless things go catastrophically wrong for the Bears.

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Chris Godwin Aug 26 8:33pm CT
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (ankle) passed his physical on Tuesday, Aug. 26. The team is still expected to take it slowly with him, and he might not practice until Week 2.

Fantasy Spin: Godwin won't be forced to play before it's time, but he is progressing well from his injury. It's possible he only misses a couple of games, as opposed to being on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, missing a minimum of four games. Fantasy managers will still want to keep him sidelined until he officially plays and makes it through a full game with no setbacks. In the meantime, rookie Emeka Egbuka should start opposite Mike Evans, and he'll be a decent low-end WR3 or flex fantasy option.

From TheHuddle

Jalen McMillan Aug 26 8:30pm CT
Jalen McMillan

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) on Injured Reserve with a return designation on Tuesday. The move means that McMillan will be eligible to come back in Week 5, but he may have to miss more time than that as he recovers from a sprained neck. The 23-year-old suffered the injury in a preseason win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 16. McMillan, a third-round pick from Washington in 2024, impressed with 37 catches, 461 yards, and eight touchdowns in 13 games. He hauled in seven of those scores in the Buccaneers' final five games of the season, but he won't be able to build on that performance until at least October. The Bucs will also open the year without Chris Godwin (ankle), which will give first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka a prime opportunity to step up as the team's No. 2 receiver after Mike Evans.

From RotoBaller

Isaiah Likely Aug 26 8:20pm CT
Isaiah Likely

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) has avoided the Injured Reserve and will open the season on the team's 53-man roster. Likely underwent surgery on his foot after suffering a small fracture on July 29, but he has recovered quickly enough that he'll be available early in the season. The 25-year-old set career highs in receptions (42), yards (477), and touchdowns (six) last season, providing the Ravens a solid pass-catching option at the position behind Mark Andrews (undisclosed). While Andrews is dealing with an undisclosed injury, indications are that he'll be ready for the Ravens' Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 7. Likely may not be a sure thing for that game, but he will make his 2025 debut sometime in September.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Gipson Aug 26 8:00pm CT
Xavier Gipson

New York Jets wide receiver Xavier Gipson (shoulder) is expected to make the team's initial 53-man roster, according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Gipson missed New York's final preseason game with a shoulder injury and is questionable for Week 1. The 24-year-old's primary utility through his first two NFL seasons has been on special teams, as he has 27 career catches in 34 games played. New York is looking for wide receivers to step up behind top wideouts Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, so Gipson could theoretically earn some playing time in the slot once he's able to get back on the field. Still, he should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

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Anthony Miller Aug 26 7:53pm CT
Anthony Miller

Baltimore Ravens FB Lucas Scott was waived Tuesday, Aug. 26. The team also released WR Keith Kirkwood and WR Anthony Miller and waived WR Xavier Guillory (clavicle) after the two sides reached an injury settlement.

From TheHuddle

Marquez Valdes-Scantling Aug 26 7:50pm CT
Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, per Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic. Dugar writes that Valdes-Scantling opened training camp with the first-team offense, but was surpassed by rookie wide receiver Tory Horton over the course of the preseason. Horton (ankle) is dealing with a minor ankle issue, but is expected to be fine for Week 1, which apparently made Valdes-Scantling superfluous. The 30-year-old deep-ball specialist had one of the best stretches of his career to finish 2024, recording 17 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns in eight games with the New Orleans Saints. Valdes-Scantling will likely be able to find a new home, but he should remain off the radar of fantasy managers.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Royals Aug 26 7:40pm CT
Jalen Royals

Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) did not practice on Tuesday, per Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports. Royals has now been out for over a week as he battles knee tendinitis. A fourth-round pick out of Utah State, Royals was reportedly turning some heads in training camp before getting injured. He's likely to start the season in a reserve role, but he could eventually be called upon for more if Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice is hit with a suspension at some point this season. Royals is not worthy of a draft pick in the majority of redraft fantasy leagues, but he's a name to monitor on the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Jeff Wilson Aug 26 7:40pm CT
Jeff Wilson

The San Francisco 49ers are releasing running back Jeff Wilson Jr., according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 29-year-old signed with San Francisco just over two weeks ago, but will now be looking for a new home. The 49ers improved their running back depth quite substantially by acquiring Brian Robinson Jr. from the Washington Commanders on August 21, which likely sealed Wilson Jr.'s fate with the team. The release of Wilson Jr. could also be a positive sign for the health of second-year back Isaac Guerendo (shoulder), who has been battling a shoulder injury throughout the preseason. Assuming Guerendo is ready for the start of the season, San Francisco has two solid contenders for the RB2 role behind superstar Christian McCaffrey.

From RotoBaller

Travis Homer Aug 26 7:30pm CT
Travis Homer

Chicago Bears running back Travis Homer (calf) has been placed on injured reserve with a return designation, per an announcement from the team. The return designation means Homer must miss the first four games of the season, but will have a chance to play in 2025. With or without Homer, the Bears are thin at running back behind D'Andre Swift. Chicago's top RB2 candidates, Roschon Johnson (foot) and Kyle Monangai (undisclosed), are both dealing with injuries of their own. The Bears are a logical candidate to bring in some help at the running back position before the regular season begins. If they do not, Swift could be in line for a heavy workload and may be a value for fantasy managers in the middle rounds of drafts.

From RotoBaller

Chris Godwin Aug 26 7:20pm CT
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) has passed his physical, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. That will clear Godwin to be activated from the physically unable to perform list and allow him to begin practicing within the first four weeks of the season. Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 7 of 2024 and has since undergone two surgeries. The 29-year-old still may not be ready for game action until October, so he's a risky late-round pick in fantasy but one with upside if he can rediscover his form from before he got injured last season. With Godwin sidelined, Buccaneers rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka should be heavily relied upon early in the season.

From RotoBaller

Taylor Heinicke Aug 26 7:10pm CT
Taylor Heinicke

The Los Angeles Chargers have released quarterback Taylor Heinicke, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Heinicke was outplayed in the preseason by Trey Lance, who has made the team and will serve as the backup to Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. The 32-year-old Heinicke has played seven seasons in the NFL and made 29 starts. He's been a capable backup for stretches of his career and should be able to find a new home rather quickly. For fantasy purposes, a Herbert injury would now make Lance a priority waiver-wire addition due to his dual-threat ability at the quarterback position.

From RotoBaller