Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to New York will survive the summer. The 33-year-old made the Giants’ initial 53 after catching seven passes for 76 yards during preseason. He arrived without a promised job, reached 20.54 mph, and caught three first downs in Friday’s finale. Those three receptions gained 53 yards and closed his case. Seven years after New York traded him, Beckham has earned another regular season in blue.
His was cutdown day’s warmest story. The biggest football consequences landed elsewhere. Aaron Donald ended retirement to join Myles Garrett in Los Angeles. Green Bay lost Josh Jacobs indefinitely and placed Micah Parsons on PUP. Tennessee waived Will Levis, while Miami and Jacksonville changed backup quarterbacks. Sunday’s moves altered backfields, pass rushes, and several Week 1 plans.
Odell Beckham Jr. makes the Giants
Jordan Schultz reported that Beckham earned a place on New York’s initial 53-man roster. The 33-year-old caught seven passes for 76 yards across three preseason games. His best night came Friday, when three catches produced 53 yards and three first downs against the Jets. ESPN also clocked Beckham at 20.54 mph on a missed deep connection.
John Harbaugh said Beckham had earned an NFL roster spot, though he withheld New York’s decision until Sunday. Calvin Austin III’s torn ACL created another opening in the receiver room. The Giants then released Isaiah Hodgins, Dalen Cambre, Kobe Prentice, and Braxton Berrios. ESPN reported New York intends to bring Berrios back after completing its initial roster maneuvering.
Beckham joins Malik Nabers, Darius Slayton, Darnell Mooney, and rookie Malachi Fields. His role should center on selective downfield work and situational snaps. Beckham enters the season with 575 career receptions, 7,987 yards, and 59 touchdowns.
Aaron Donald returns to the Rams
Aaron Donald (DT) ended a two-season retirement and rejoined the Rams on a one-year contract. He will earn $20 million, with incentives capable of raising the total to $30 million.
Los Angeles already acquired reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett after his 23-sack season. Donald left football with 111 sacks, eight first-team All-Pro selections, and three Defensive Player of the Year awards. His final season still produced 87 pressures across 596 pass-rush snaps, a 14.5% pressure rate.
Donald is now 35 and has not played since January 2024. Even a reduced version can bend protections inward and create cleaner paths for Garrett. Los Angeles will open against San Francisco with an extraordinary collection of defensive-line talent.
Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons will miss time for Green Bay
The NFL placed Josh Jacobs (RB) on the Commissioner’s Exempt List following misdemeanor charges from a May incident. Jacobs cannot practice or play, although he will continue receiving his salary. The designation carries no fixed absence, leaving his return entirely uncertain.
Jacobs produced 1,211 scrimmage yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Green Bay prepared by acquiring Kaleb Johnson from Pittsburgh for a 2028 sixth-round pick. Johnson averaged 2.5 yards across 28 rookie carries and must learn the offense immediately. MarShawn Lloyd and Chris Brooks should handle the earliest work while Johnson learns Green Bay’s protections.
Micah Parsons (EDGE) will open the season on reserve/PUP while recovering from December’s torn ACL. He must miss at least four games. Parsons has identified Green Bay’s Week 6 game against Dallas as his earliest realistic return date. The Packers begin their season without their lead running back and best pass rusher.
Titans waive Will Levis
Tennessee waived Will Levis (QB), ending its three-year relationship with the 2023 No. 33 overall pick. Levis went 5-16 across 21 starts, throwing for 3,899 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.
Right shoulder surgery erased his entire 2025 season. Mitchell Trubisky won the primary backup job behind Cam Ward, while Hendon Hooker remains on the roster. Levis now becomes one of the most experienced quarterbacks available to waiver claims.
Dolphins and Jaguars rebuild their quarterback rooms
Miami traded Quinn Ewers (QB) to Jacksonville for a 2028 sixth-round pick. The Dolphins then sent a sixth-rounder to Green Bay for Kyle McCord. Miami also released Cam Miller and Mark Gronowski, leaving McCord behind starter Malik Willis.
McCord threw for 446 yards and four touchdowns during Green Bay’s preseason. His finale included 226 yards and four scores. Ewers becomes Trevor Lawrence’s backup after Jacksonville released veteran Nick Mullens.
Jalon Daniels wins Tampa Bay’s backup job
Tampa Bay chose undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels (QB) as Baker Mayfield’s backup and released Jake Browning. Daniels completed 27 of 44 preseason passes for 239 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. He added 37 rushing yards and another score.
Browning carried 10 career starts and received $400,000 guaranteed when Tampa Bay signed him. Daniels still beat him cleanly through camp and three preseason games. Mayfield now enters a contract year with an untested rookie directly behind him.
Cleveland protects its crowded quarterback room
Cleveland retained Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and rookie Taylen Green on its active roster. Dillon Gabriel moved to injured reserve with a return designation because of a back injury.
Gabriel completed 12 of 15 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in Thursday’s preseason finale. The IR move protected every quarterback investment while preserving one active roster spot. Watson will start Week 1, with Sanders positioned as his immediate backup.
Other notable NFL roster cuts
Chicago released Jedrick Wills (OT), removing a former top-10 pick from its unsettled left-tackle competition. Dallas cut Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR), while Washington released Van Jefferson (WR). Philadelphia released Dameon Pierce (RB), and Tennessee moved on from D’Ernest Johnson (RB).
Denver waived fifth-round rookie Justin Joly (TE) despite his 88-yard touchdown in the preseason finale. Kansas City released veteran Emmanuel Ogbah (EDGE) and former first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam. Pittsburgh released linebackers Elandon Roberts, Jamin Davis, and Malik Harrison.
Earlier this week, Arizona waived Trey Benson (RB) with a knee designation. Benson cleared waivers and reverted to injured reserve, likely ending his 2026 season. James Conner remains uncertain for Week 1, while rookie Jeremiyah Love is recovering from a high-ankle sprain.
Sunday’s 53-man rosters remain provisional. Waiver claims, practice-squad signings, and additional injured-reserve moves will create another transaction wave Monday. Beckham’s status is settled: his second Giants stint will reach the regular season.
