The NFL roster cuts for 2014 are starting to come in, and there are already a handful of surprises ahead of Saturday’s deadline.
Teams must cut rosters from 75 players to a new 53-man limit by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran running back Benjarvus Green-Ellis in one of the early shockers.
In Cincinnati , the move to release the running back was part of a movement toward youth, reports indicated.
The Bengals are releasing RB Benjarvus Green-Ellis, going with youth in the backfield and letting the veteran go
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) August 29, 2014
Another surprising 2014 NFL roster cut came from the Buffalo Bills, who unloaded quarterback Jordan Palmer just days after signing him from the Chicago Bears. Many believed that the Bills were signing Palmer primarily to pump information about the team’s Week 1 opponent, the Bears, but Buffalo is also having a backup quarterback crisis and it was believed he would compete for the team’s backup spot.
Jordan Palmer’s stint with #Bills didn’t last long. Sounds like they are cutting him.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2014
Buffalo had already released last year’s No. 2 Thad Lewis, who was thrown into action in a handful of games during EJ Manuel’s injury stretches. The team will now look to last year’s undrafted rookie free agent Jeff Tuel to serve as Manuel’s backup.
But the Bills could also be active after the 2014 NFL roster cuts go into effect. There likely to be a handful of veteran quarterbacks cut loose, and Buffalo could look to one as a steady hand behind Manuel.
Experts believe there could be more surprises when the 2014 NFL roster cuts are announced. In St. Louis, defensive end Michael Sam is on the bubble as the seventh-round pick tries to become the first openly gay player to make an NFL roster. Others believe that Champ Bailey, who was just signed by the New Orleans Saints in April, could find himself without a team when final cuts are made.
