The Tennessee Titans had to waive or release a minimum of 37 players when cutting down from 90 to 53 by Sunday’s deadline. General manager Mike Borgonzi did not stop there. After successfully making three waiver claims, and signing two veterans via free agency, Borgonzi had to waive/release an additional five players.
After finalizing the initial 53-man roster, the Titans were awarded LB Owen Pappoe, CB Melvin Smith, and DT Nazir Stackhouse off waivers. They signed S Terrell Burgess and OT James Hudson
in free agency. To make room, they waived CB Erick Hallett II, WR Xavier Restrepo, LB Mo Diabate, S Jerrick Reed II, and released OT Austin Deculus.
These moves were swiftly met with mixed reviews. Fans were especially disappointed to see Restrepo get waived, after the fan-favorite sophomore wideout initially made the 53-man roster. Hallett was also a worthwhile inclusion on the initial 53 after playing well during training camp and the preseason.
What came next proved Borgonzi navigated 53-man roster cuts with proven expertise. All four waiver-eligible Titans cleared waivers and re-signed back to the practice squad. Restrepo, Diabate, Hallett, and Reed all landed back with the Titans’ practice squad.
In fact, the only post-53-roster-cut who didn’t re-sign back to Tennessee’s practice squad was Deculus. Deculus, a vested veteran, did not have to clear waivers and was immediately free to sign with any team of his choosing. After a terrible preseason period, it’s likely Tennessee didn’t want him back anyway.
Appropriately navigating roster cuts means upgrading the talent on your 53-man squad while understanding who you can successfully pass through waivers. Borgonzi did that well, getting back all of his desired assets via the practice squad. Malik Herring was the only Titans cut who joined a rival 53-man roster.
Borgonzi knows how to structure a 53-man roster and practice squad.
