NFL teams trimmed their rosters to the 53‑player limit on Tuesday, and the ripple effect reached the former Florida Gators program. Twelve players who once wore the orange and blue found themselves on the chopping block, as teams finalized their opening‑week lineups.
Among the names that moved was Tyreak Sapp, who was waived by the Cleveland Browns only to agree to a reunion with the club’s practice squad shortly thereafter. Trey Dean III, a defensive back from the Green Bay Packers, was placed on injured reserve after clearing waivers, while Kaiir Elam, formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed with the Los Angeles Chargers and earned a spot on their practice unit.
The practice squad became a temporary home for several of the Gators alumni. In addition to Sapp and Elam, Dameon Pierce, who had been cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, returned to the Eagles’ practice squad, giving him another chance to prove his worth before the regular season begins.
Other former Gators saw their contracts terminated outright. Jeremiah Moon was released by the Carolina Panthers, Trikweze Bridges by the Dallas Cowboys, Amari Burney by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brien Taylor Jr. by the New Orleans Saints, Marco Wilson by the Miami Dolphins, and Kyle Trask by the Carolina Panthers. Van Jefferson also saw his tenure with the Washington Commanders end.
Practice Squads Offer a Second Chance
Coaches and analysts alike noted that the wave of releases does not necessarily signal the end of these players’ NFL aspirations. With rosters still fluid and injuries reshaping depth charts, teams may look to the practice squad as a proving ground, and the recent moves could spark interest from other franchises looking to bolster their depth before Week 1.