Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, August 31, 2026
Aaron Donald Ends 2.5-Year Retirement, Returns to Los Angeles Rams
Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald ended his retirement Sunday, agreeing to a one-year contract worth at least $20 million to return to the Los Angeles Rams after 2.5 years away. The Rams announced Donald's decision following weeks of discussion and intensive workouts as the 35-year-old tested his body for another NFL season. Donald went through nearly two months of physical preparation, including training at the Rams' facility, before committing to the comeback. ESPN reported the deal is incentive-laden. Donald's return came after the Rams traded for pass rusher Myles Garrett, motivating Donald to reconsider retirement.
NFL Cutdown Day: More Than 1,100 Players Released as Teams Set 53-Man Rosters
All 32 NFL teams met the Sunday 6 p.m. ET deadline to trim their rosters from 90 players to the 53-man limit, triggering one of the busiest roster days on the NFL calendar. More than 1,100 players were released, waived, or placed on injured reserve in a single day. Notable players cut include former first-round pick Mazi Smith by the New York Jets and wide receiver Mecole Hardman by the Buffalo Bills. Players with fewer than four accrued NFL seasons entered the waiver wire Monday morning, with claims due at 1 p.m. ET. Teams can then begin building 16-man practice squads. The regular season opens September 9.
Sources: CBS Sports
Jacobs, Cooper, Arnold All Placed on Commissioner's Exempt List Ahead of 2026 Season
Three NFL players were placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List on Sunday: Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, Denver Broncos linebacker Jonathon Cooper, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Terrion Arnold. Players on the list may not practice or play. Jacobs was charged with misdemeanor battery and criminal damage to property following a May arrest in Wisconsin and has a court date November 17. Cooper was arrested twice in June, most recently for allegedly violating a domestic violence protection order. Arnold, released by Detroit following eight felony charges of kidnapping and armed robbery in Florida, signed with Seattle before being immediately placed on the list.
Sources: Fox Sports
Packers Acquire RB Kaleb Johnson From Steelers With Jacobs on Exempt List
With starting running back Josh Jacobs placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List and unavailable for an indefinite period, the Green Bay Packers traded for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson on Sunday, sending a future draft pick to Pittsburgh in return. Johnson was a 2025 Steelers draft pick out of Iowa but found limited opportunities behind Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle on Pittsburgh's depth chart. The trade gives Green Bay a running back option while Jacobs' eligibility remains under NFL review. Johnson will need to integrate quickly with the Packers offense ahead of their Week 1 opener on September 13.
Steelers Trade OT Broderick Jones to Dallas Cowboys
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded offensive tackle Broderick Jones to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, receiving draft picks in return. Pittsburgh selected Jones 14th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Georgia, and he started 38 games across his first three seasons with the Steelers. His tenure in Pittsburgh was disrupted in Week 11 of 2025 when he suffered a neck injury requiring spinal fusion surgery. After being medically cleared ahead of 2026 training camp, Jones struggled to return to his previous form, leading Pittsburgh to find a trade partner before Sunday's 53-man roster deadline. The move gives Jones a fresh start with Dallas heading into the new season.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Titans Waive QB Will Levis as Cam Ward Era Begins in Tennessee
The Tennessee Titans waived quarterback Will Levis on Sunday, ending the former second-round pick's time in Nashville. Levis was selected 33rd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft and started 21 games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons before losing the starting position when Tennessee selected Cam Ward with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Titans explored trade options for Levis but were unable to find a deal, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, Levis now enters free agency once he clears waivers, with multiple teams expected to express interest in the former Kentucky quarterback.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty Sprains Ankle at Practice, Week 1 Status Uncertain
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty was helped off the practice field Sunday after sustaining a sprained ankle when he landed awkwardly diving for a pass thrown by quarterback Kirk Cousins during 11-on-11 drills. The second-year back's availability for the Raiders' Week 1 opener remains in question. Las Vegas did not place Jeanty on injured reserve, a signal the team believes he can return within four games. Should Jeanty miss significant time, rookie Mike Washington Jr., a fourth-round pick from Arkansas who had a promising training camp, would likely assume the top position on the depth chart. The Raiders open the 2026 season on September 13.
Sources: CBS Sports
Texans WR Jayden Higgins Ruled Out for Entire 2026 Season With Torn ACL
Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins has been ruled out for the entire 2026 NFL season after suffering a torn ACL during the preseason. The injury eliminates Higgins from Houston's receiving corps before a single regular-season snap, a significant blow ahead of the Texans' Week 1 opener on September 13. His roster spot was resolved as Houston finalized its 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's 6 p.m. ET league-wide cutdown deadline. Higgins was among the most significant injury casualties across all 32 teams during the 2026 preseason period, which saw more than 1,100 players released or moved to injured reserve on Sunday.
Sources: CBS Sports
2026 Preseason Standings
Regular season begins Sept. 9
| AFC | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | |||
| Buffalo Bills | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| New England Patriots | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| New York Jets | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Miami Dolphins | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| North | |||
| Baltimore Ravens | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| South | |||
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tennessee Titans | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Houston Texans | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| West | |||
| Denver Broncos | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| NFC | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | |||
| Dallas Cowboys | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New York Giants | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Washington Commanders | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| North | |||
| Chicago Bears | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Detroit Lions | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Green Bay Packers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| South | |||
| Carolina Panthers | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| New Orleans Saints | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| West | |||
| Los Angeles Rams | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 1 | 3 | 0 |
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Curated by JD · samwise.agency