The NFL preseason wraps up this weekend, and for most teams that means the final tune-up comes with a little breathing room before the hard deadline hits. Not so for the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans.
Those four teams are the only ones playing their preseason finales on Saturday. Everyone else will be finished by Friday night, which leaves the Bears, Lions, Colts, and Titans with only about 24 hours to sort through the last game and lock in their 53-man rosters. That’s a tight window, especially with roster cutdown day looming fast.
By Sunday evening, every team has to be down to 53 players, and the deadline is 6:00 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, August 30th. For the four Saturday teams, that means their final evaluation process has to happen on a compressed schedule once the last preseason snaps are in the books.
Still, the short turnaround probably won’t completely upend anything. At this point in the preseason, most teams already have a pretty good sense of who belongs on the final roster.
The last exhibition is usually about the fringe guys - the players on the bubble trying to make one last case for themselves or earn another look. And even then, teams are often only sorting through a handful of spots.
So while the Bears, Lions, Colts, and Titans are dealing with a little more pressure than the rest of the league, the real test is still the same: make the most of the final chance before cutdowns hit.
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Titans Just Unveiled A New Look Fans Can Rally Around
The NFLs final wave of rivalry uniforms brought Tennessee a fresh piece of branding to hang onto, and the Titans now know what their new Music City look will be. Built around a Titans Blue helmet, a script logo reading Music City, neon-inspired numbers and a 6-string stripe down the pants, the uniform is meant to lean into the citys identity while giving the team another distinct option in its closet.
Fans will not have to wait long to see it, either. The Titans are scheduled to wear the uniform once in the 2026 season, on Nov. 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it will stay in the rotation for three seasons. For a team always looking for ways to sharpen its image and give its home market something recognizable, this one arrives with a little more style than the average alternate jersey. [Read more 🡒]
Wan'Dale Robinson Injury Scare Drew A Blunt Titans Response
During a joint practice with the Bears, the Titans got a brief scare when wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson left the field to be evaluated for a concussion after taking a hit from a Chicago player. It was the kind of moment that can quickly change the temperature of a practice, especially in a setting where both teams are trying to get work in without losing a key player to something avoidable.
Titans coach Robert Saleh did not hide his feelings about the play, calling the hit cheap. There was no reported scuffle afterward, but the reaction underscored how little patience Tennessee had for a shot that sent Robinson straight into the protocol conversation and put an otherwise routine joint session in an uncomfortable spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
Titans Have A Growing Concern Behind JC Latham And Dan Moore Jr
The Titans offensive line picture is getting clearer at the top, but the depth behind JC Latham and Dan Moore Jr. is still a real point of attention as roster cuts approach. Swing tackle has become one of the more competitive spots on the roster, and undrafted rookie Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson has given the staff a reason to keep a close eye on him after making a strong push in camp and the preseason.
Austin Deculus, meanwhile, has not separated himself in the same way and has dealt with a tougher run through the summer. With the 53-man deadline looming, Tennessee could still look for help after cuts or even via trade if it wants more certainty at a spot that can turn urgent quickly once injuries hit. [Read more 🡒]