Roster cutdown day was an uncommonly eventful one for the Green Bay Packers. In addition to cutting dozens of players to help get to 53, the Packers also completed three trades, saw a Pro Bowl player go on the Commissioner's Exempt List and placed three players on the PUP list and two more on IR with designation to return. This wasn't your average path to the initial 53. The Packers had to navigate a huge obstacle and were willing to be aggressive both in adding and subtracting players to get to the first roster of 2026.
Recapping a wild roster cutdown day in Green Bay:
Josh Jacobs to Commissioner's Exempt List
The big news of the day: Josh Jacobs is no longer on the Packers roster. The NFL placed the veteran running back on the Commissioner's Exempt List, meaning he cannot play or practice
and doesn't count against the 53-man roster. It will be up to the league to determine how long Jacobs, who was criminally charged with two misdemeanors on Thursday, stays on the list. There's a very good chance the Packers won't have Jacobs to start the 2026 season.
Now official from the NFL: “The National Football League today placed Josh Jacobs of the Green Bay Packers on the Commissioner Exempt List. Jacobs may not practice or attend games while on the list.” pic.twitter.com/ytVjX6jnZa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2026
Trio of trades
The Packers made sweeping changes to the fringes of the roster via trades. Not needing a third quarterback on the 53-man roster, the Packers sent Kyle McCord to the Miami Dolphins for a 2028 sixth-round pick. Needing a running back and tight end, the Packers traded future Day 3 picks to the Pittsburgh Steelers for running back Kaleb Johnson and to the Los Angeles Rams for tight end Mark Redman. The final tally of the trades: the Packers traded their own sixth- and seventh-round picks in 2028 for Johnson and Redman and acquired Miami's sixth-round pick in 2028 for McCord. Losing Jacobs really forced the Packers to make an aggressive deal for a third running back. At tight end, half of the four players on the 53 (Redman, Jonnu Smith) were not with the Packers during training camp.
Cuts
Among those cut by the Packers on Sunday: WR Isaiah Neyor, WR Will Sheppard, EDGE Nyjalik Kelly, OL Darian Kinnard, LB Kristian Welch, RB Pierre Strong Jr., TE Drake Dabney, EDGE Arron Mosby, CB Jaylin Simpson, S Mark Perry, LS Cal Adomitis and DL Nazir Stackhouse.
Also, one draft pick was cut: sixth-round pick Domani Jackson.
No true surprises, save for maybe Jackson, but Kinnard was a top backup along the offensive line last season, and Kelly was excellent to finish the preseason at a premium position.
Parsons to the PUP list
An expected move, but a notable one nonetheless. Micah Parsons is staying on the PUP list to start the regular season, meaning he will miss at least the first four games. A mid-October return still appears to be the best-case scenario for Parsons, who needed surgery to repair his ACL and meniscus.
Packers officially moved Micah Parsons to Reserve/PUP, ruling him out for this season’s first four games. pic.twitter.com/dHzh0xRXcJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2026
Tight end Luke Musgrave and defensive tackle Jordon Riley also started the season on the PUP list. Not having Musgrave behind Tucker Kraft forced the Packers to go out and get free agent Jonnu Smith and trade for Mark Redman.
Williams, Oliver to IR
The Packers will be without receiver Savion Williams and edge rusher Collin Oliver for at least the first four games of the 2026 season. Both players are starting the season on IR with designation to return. Williams, who has an ankle injury, and Oliver, who is dealing with a calf injury, were both injured for long stretches during their rookie seasons, and they'll miss more time to start 2026.
JMS, Campbell stick on 53
While Savion Williams is hurt at receiver, undrafted rookie J. Michael Sturdivant made the initial 53-man roster, and if he sticks around to Week 1, he will extend the team's streak with an undrafted rookie on the opening day roster to 22 years. Sturdivant proved his ability and potential as a receiver, blocker and special teamer this summer, earning a roster spot at a deep position. Another feel-good moment was Anthony Campbell -- who barely played during his final collegiate season at Miami -- making the 53-man roster. He earned it with an excellent preseason. The Packers kept six receivers and seven defensive tackles. Sturdivant and Campbell were among the intriguing young players who made themselves nearly impossible to cut.
The initial 53-man roster
Here's the initial 53-man roster: Green Bay Packers 53-man roster
But remember, the roster is subject to change. Immediately. Will the Packers make any waiver claims on Monday? Any additions will require corresponding roster moves. It's called an "initial" roster for a reason.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Recapping the Packers' eventful and chaotic day of roster changes
