10 NFL veterans in danger of being cut
Earl Thomas. Leonard Fournette. Mohamed Sanu.
For one reason or another, three NFL teams released these veterans before the 2020 season even began.
There are still several seasoned pros in danger of joining them in the unemployment line, with final roster cuts coming by Saturday's deadline. Here are 10 notable players whose jobs are at risk.
Dede Westbrook, WR, Jaguars
With the mass exodus currently taking place in Jacksonville, it should come as no surprise if the Jaguars opt to release one of their few remaining big names.
Westbrook is entering the final year of his rookie contract, but a shoulder injury leaves his availability for Week 1 questionable. He may be hard-pressed to survive cuts and keep his spot among a group of impressive youngsters in DJ Chark, Keelan Cole, Chris Conley, and rookies Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson.
Vic Beasley, OLB, Titans
After failing to meet expectations with the Atlanta Falcons, Beasley signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans in March in hopes of landing a starting spot opposite Harold Landry. A disastrous summer followed, as the 2015 first-round pick reported to training camp more than a week late and failed a physical upon his arrival.
Head coach Mike Vrabel said Beasley is working his way back to football shape but is still without a timetable to return. With Kamalei Correa and D'Andre Walker on the depth chart, the young pass-rusher can't be guaranteed a roster spot. Beasley could be stashed on the PUP list or injured reserve to begin the year, or Vrabel and the Titans could simply give up on the experiment.
Paxton Lynch, QB, Steelers
After losing Ben Roethlisberger to an elbow injury, the Steelers thought to bring in Lynch as insurance behind Mason Rudolph and Devlin "Duck" Hodges. Through the first weeks of training camp, Rudolph seems solidified as the backup quarterback, leaving Hodges and Lynch to duke it out for the final spot.
Lynch was reportedly erratic and inaccurate at last Monday's practice, then was the only quarterback that didn't get any reps during the squad's scrimmage at Heinz Field on Friday. The former Denver Broncos draft bust may not last long in the Steel City.
Hakeem Butler, WR, Cardinals
Butler appears to be the forgotten man in the now-celebrated Cardinals receiving corps. When quarterback Kyler Murray mentions the potential of three 1,000-yard receivers, he means DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, and Christian Kirk. When the discussion comes to which Arizona wideout will provide the speed element, it's between Andy Isabella or KeeSean Johnson.
For Butler, it's mostly been out of sight, out of mind - the 2019 fourth-round pick missed his entire rookie season with a finger injury. The Cardinals' pass-catching group might just be too talented to leave a spot for Butler.
Sidney Jones, CB, Eagles
The report out of Eagles camp is Jones has fallen out of favor in Jim Schwartz's defense and could end up on the trade block. The three-year pro is in the final year of his contract and could become a rental for a team needing help at corner.
Jones has played in 22 games in three seasons while battling injuries for the majority of his career. He's also barely participating in practice during camp. With plenty of healthy bodies available at the position, the 24-year-old could prove expendable.
Justin Evans, S, Buccaneers
Tampa Bay head coach Bruce Arians has still not seen the 2017 second-round pick in game action and is probably not inclined to keep the injured safety. Evans missed the 2019 season entirely with foot ailments and is missing camp to deal with the same issues.
The Bucs are young at safety, but 2020 second-round pick Antoine Winfield Jr. has been impressing the team with his performance in camp. The team's indicated they'll use the versatile defensive back at various positions across the secondary, and he'll be backed by fellow youngsters Mike Edwards and Jordan Whitehead if Tampa's ready to move on from Evans.
Keke Coutee, WR, Texans
The DeAndre Hopkins trade may have inadvertently hurt Coutee's time with the Texans. Houston responded by trading for Brandin Cooks and adding Randall Cobb, giving the team a deep group of pass-catchers.
With the Texans expecting a larger role for Will Fuller after Hopkins' departure, Kenny Stills penciled in, and DeAndre Carter's special teams value, Coutee is now on the bubble. He's battled injuries his first two seasons and continues to do so during camp. His unavailability isn't boding well for his chances of making the roster.
Jordan Wilkins, RB, Colts
The arrival of Jonathan Taylor pushes Wilkins into a precarious position. With Marlon Mack and Taylor vying for the starting job and Nyheim Hines distinguished as the third-down back, Wilkins may not be so useful to Indianapolis.
The Colts did cut veteran fullback Roosevelt Nix, presumably opening a roster spot for a fourth running back. But if the Colts are confident enough in their first three rushers, that spot may be best suited to a position with more dire needs.
Lamar Miller, RB, Patriots
The Patriots own one of the more crowded backfields in the league, making it difficult for Miller to escape the final cuts. New England signed the veteran back last month, almost one year to the date after he suffered a torn ACL with the Texans.
Although the Patriots have struggled with Sony Michel, Damien Harris, James White, and Rex Burkhead collectively leading the unit last season, Miller's had little time to prove he's worthy of supplanting any of those Pats mainstays.
Margus Hunt, DE, Saints
The Saints probably don't have a spot for a seven-year veteran who had 17 tackles in 16 games last season with the Colts, now that they're finally deep at defensive end.
New Orleans signed Hunt to a one-year deal in late April, but after camp, it appears the Saints are deciding between the 33-year-old and 26-year-old Mario Edwards, who spent last season with the club.