Las Vegas Raiders 53-man roster cut tracker 2026: Live updates and analysis

In the blink of an eye, the Las Vegas Raiders' three-game preseason slate is now over. Weeks still separate the Silver and Black from opening weekend of the 2026 NFL season, but before that game against the Miami Dolphins kicks off, the Raiders have some serious housekeeping to do.

With the knowledge that training camp and three exhibition contests provided, John Spytek and the front office will now join forces with Klint Kubiak and the coaching staff to cut this roster from 89 players all the way down to just 53. It will be an emotional and action-packed few days.

The deadline to make roster cuts is on Sunday, August 30 at 3:00 p.m. PT, so things won't be official until then. To make sure that you catch every development, from live updates to key analysis, BOOKMARK THIS PAGE and check back periodically throughout the weekend for the latest news.

1. Latest Raiders roster cuts
2. Updated Raiders 53-man roster
3. Notable Cuts
4. Potential waiver wire targets from around the league

Last updated: Monday, August 31 at 11:00 a.m. PT

Latest Raiders roster cuts

Updated Raiders 53-man roster

• Current roster: 54 players
• Cuts remaining: -1 (Need to release a player)

QB: Kirk Cousins, Fernando Mendoza, Aidan O'Connell

RB: Ashton Jeanty, Mike Washington Jr., Dylan Laube

FB: Connor Heyward

WR: Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Malik Benson, Dareke Young

TE: Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas

OT: Kolton Miller, DJ Glaze, Charles Grant

IOL: Spencer Burford, Tyler Linderbaum, Jackson Powers-Johnson, Caleb Rogers, Trey Zuhn III, Atonio Mafi

DL: Adam Butler, Jonah Laulu, Thomas Booker IV, Tonka Hemingway, JJ Pegues, Foley Fatukasi

EDGE: Maxx Crosby, Kwity Paye, Malcolm Koonce, Patrick Johnson

LB: Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Cody Lindenberg, Tommy Eichenberg

CB: Eric Stokes, Taron Johnson, Darien Porter, Jermod McCoy, Hezekiah Masses, Decamerion Richardson, Darrell Luter Jr.

SAF: Jeremy Chinn, Treydan Stukes, Isaiah Pola-Mao, Dalton Johnson, Tristin McCollum

ST: A.J. Cole, Matt Gay, Alex Ward

Notable Cuts

Dare Ogunbowale

The Raiders surprisingly released running back Dare Ogunbowale on Sunday morning. Many fans thought he'd make the 53-man roster as a veteran presence and good special-teamer, but Las Vegas opted against it. Perhaps Roman Hemby makes the 53-man team, or John Spytek looks externally.

Read more about Dare Ogunbowale's release changing the shape of th Raiders' RB room

Cian Slone

Slone was arguably the most promising member of the Raiders' undrafted free agent class, as he had the highest amount of guaranteed money on his deal. And he thrived both during training camp and in the preseason until a rough showing in the finale. It seems like a bad final impression did him in.

Read more about the Raiders waiving Cian Slone and what it may mean for the DE group

Roman Hemby

When Ogunbowale was released, Hemby seemed to have a clear path to the 53-man roster. But the Raiders also waived Hemby, leaving just three running backs on the roster, as well as fullback Connor Heyward. Hopefully, Hemby clears waivers and returns to Las Vegas, as he has promise.

Brandon Cleveland

Cleveland was selected in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft, so this is a first-year player that John Spytek and Co. are potentially parting with. Just like with Slone and Hemby, the hope is that he clears waivers. Of the three, Cleveland is most likely to do so after a quiet offseason.

Shedrick Jackson

Jackson was waived on Sunday, which wasn't entirely surprising, but is still notable. He was a darling at this time last year and worked his way onto the active roster by the end of the season. Jackson contributed a few splash plays last year but his momentum halted in camp.

Kansei Matsuzawa

As expected, Matsuzawa met his fate during cutdowns. After a rough preseason, there was little, if any chance that he'd stick around on the 53-man roster. Perhaps the Raiders will use the IPP exemption to keep him around on the practice squad, but time will tell on that front.

Greedy Vance Jr.

Vance Jr., like Jackson, was a star last preseason and found himself playing meaningful snaps at the end of the 2025 campaign. After a strong preseason opener, however, Vance Jr. couldn't sustain that level of play, and now, he'll be on waivers. Las Vegas should love to have him back on P-squad.

Segun Olubi

Olubi was signed early this offseason, and many felt that he had a chance to be the third linebacker. At the least, he'd be a core special-teamer for the Raiders. But it seems that Las Vegas ultimately felt differently, as they outright released him on Sunday.

Potential waiver wire targets from around the league

UPDATE: The Raiders claimed former 49ers CB Darrell Luter Jr. on waivers.

Cedric Tillman, WR

The Raiders need wide receiver help, and Tillman could fit the bill. He has three years of experience and is a big-bodied, versatile player with 71 catches for 833 yards and five touchdowns in three seasons. He may not be a difference-maker, but Tillman could improve the bottom of this group.

Update: Tillman cleared waivers and is now a free agent who can be signed at any time.

Read more about why Cedric Tillman may be a worthwhile addition for the Raiders

Jack Henderson, SAF

Henderson was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers but had a solid preseason. He can play with almost every special teams unit and is versatile on defense. At 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, Henderson is a good sized safety. This preseason, he turned in a 74.3 overall PFF grade on defense.

Louis Moore, SAF

Moore was Fernando Mendoza's college teammate, and the Raiders spent time with him during the pre-draft process. He had a really solid preseason with the Miami Dolphins, both on defense and special teams. If Las Vegas liked what it saw in the spring, it could kick the tires on him again now.

Anthony Smith, WR

Smith was waived by the Dallas Cowboys after several other wideouts emerged ahead of him. Similar to Moore, the Raiders had interest in him back in the spring before the 2026 NFL Draft, actually having him in on a 30 visit, so they could be interested in him again.

Lewis Bond, WR

Bond had a really nice training camp and preseason with the Houston Texans, but after the team traded for Kayshon Boutte, he has surprisingly been waived. Las Vegas got a close look at him during joint practices, so maybe they take a flyer on him now.

Justin Joly, TE

Joly was a victim of being on a loaded Denver Broncos team, so the rookie fifth-rounder will hit waivers. He got better in each preseason game and capped off the exhibition slate with an 88-yard touchdown reception against the Minnesota Vikings. He could be Las Vegas' TE3 over Ian Thomas.

Red Murdock, LB

Murdock, like Joly, was stuck on an incredibly talented Broncos roster. But he racked up tackles in the preseason, leading the Denver defense in the stat during two games. He broke records in college for forced fumbles, and he improved in coverage this preseason, so Murdock may be worth a claim.

Miles Scott, SAF

The Broncos returned 51 of their 53 players from last season, so a seventh-round rookie like Scott had an uphill battle. But he actually pieced together a solid preseason, and if Spytek or Brian Stark still know folks in Denver, they could get some good intel on him.

Chris Braswell, DE

Braswell was a second-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Spytek was still there, so he could bring him in to a thin defensive end room. He could be a rotational edge rusher to replace an injured Keyron Crawford, and Braswell would be a core special-teamer.

Jaydon Blue, RB

Blue hasn't quite found his footing in the Dallas Cowboys' running back room, but he's a toolsy pass-catcher out of the backfield and is improving as a runner. The Cowboys are going to try to sneak him through waivers and activate him on game days, but the Raiders could step in and prevent that.

Maximus Pulley, SAF

Las Vegas spent time with Pulley in the pre-draft process, and he had an excellent preseason with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Raiders have plucked from this tree before, given their connections to the Philly front office, so the Silver & Black could end up with a good player edged out of a strong room.

Kaimon Rucker, DE

Rucker had a monstrous preseason with the Baltimore Ravens, notching six pressures, a sack and five run stops. He can also drop into coverage, which Rob Leonard will want his edge players to do on occasion. Rucker has also flashed on special teams, so he could be worth a flyer.

Logan Fano, DE

The Raiders had a heavy presence at the Utah Pro Day back in the spring, and Fano had a good preseason with the Cleveland Browns, recording five pressures and three run stops. He improved each week and played well on special teams, so Las Vegas could put in a claim for him.

Trebor Pena, WR

Pena lit it up this preseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching 10 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown. He's on the smaller side for an outside receiver, but Pena got the job done in the slot as well. He's limited on special teams, which may be a problem; however, Pena is a skilled player.

Ben Sauls, K

Sauls didn't win the New York Giants' kicker job, but he made every field goal he attempted this preseason. He doesn't have the biggest leg, but Sauls is accurate and worth a look for a Raiders team that may not quite have a solution at kicker yet, at least not a long-term one.

Blake Grupe, K

Grupe was lights-out in training camp, but he lost the Indianapolis Colts' kicker job because he couldn't connect in the preseason. But he has a big leg with potential, and he knows Kubiak from their time with the New Orleans Saints in 2024, so Grupe could still be an option if they're looking.

B.T. Potter, K

Potter went 4-for-4 on kicks this preseason, making both field goals and a pair of extra points. He lost to Bucs incumbent Chase McLaughlin, which isn't exactly a black mark on your résumé. Potter would be the highest-upside play, as he had a great career at Clemson and impressed a lot this preseason.

Rayshaun Benny, DT

Benny had a really solid preseason for the Ravens both rushing the passer and stopping the run. It doesn't hurt, either, that he's a Michigan man, much like Spytek. He's a big and solid body on the interior with pass-rush ability, so perhaps he piques the Raiders' interest.

Jack Dingle, LB

Dingle wasn't able to crack an improved Cincinnati Bengals linebacker room. But the Las Vegas front office used a 30 visit on him before the 2026 NFL Draft, so perhaps they'd be willing to give him a chance if they want to bolster the linebacker corps.

McKinnley Jackson, DT

Jackson was a third-round pick in 2024, and he's been a solid enough defensive tackle for a few seasons now. A rough preseason put him on the chopping block, but Jackson is a versatile interior piece that is good enough at stopping the run and has some pass rush tools to develop.

Mitchell Melton, DE

Melton actually had a really solid camp and preseason in Indianapolis, but he's a victim of a crowded Colts defensive line room. The Raiders had Melton in for a 30 visit this past spring, so it's possible there is some lingering interest here.

J'Mari Taylor, RB

Taylor couldn't crack a talented Jacksonville Jaguars running back room, but the roookie showed a lot last fall at Virginia, and the Silver and Black met with him before the draft. If the Raiders want another young body in the running back room, Taylor would be a talented one to add.

Nadame Tucker, DE

Tucker was one of the most dominant edge rushers in college football last season, but he didn't make the Los Angeles Chargers' 53-man roster. He needs some work against the run, but Tucker had a great Senior Bowl, and nabbing him would be doubly fun because it would be taking from a rival.

Trevon Keegan, OL

Keegan didn't find his way into a fairly loaded Cowboys offensive line group, but he would be a nice piece to add up front if Spytek wants a ninth offensive linemen. Keegan can play guard or tackle, and Las Vegas values that kind of versatility.

Tim Keenan III, DT

Keenan was a great space-eating nose tackle for Alabama last year, but he found himself on the outside looking in of an other-worldly Los Angeles Rams defensive line room. Keenan didn't have a tremendous preseason, but there was enough to like in college that he may be worth a shot.

Trey Palmer, WR

Palmer was drafted by Spytek in Tampa Bay and got off to a good start in his career before hitting hard times. The Raiders' desperate need for a wide receiver could push the general manager toward adding a familiar face.

Uar Bernard, DT

Bernard is an incredibly raw prospect from the International Player Pathway, but you simply can't teach his physical tools. If Las Vegas is feeling spicy, it could gather intel from their friends in the Eagles' front office and see if he's worth a stab.

Cole Wisniewski, SAF

Wisniewski was a stud at Texas Tech last year and had a great preseason with Philadelphia, but it is very hard to make the Eagles' roster as a seventh-round rookie. That doesn't mean that the big and versatile safety can't help the Raiders, though.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow