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On Saturday all of the NFL teams had to cut rosters down to their final 53 players and many teams had difficult decisions to make. We already learned that Dare Ogunbowale and D’Cota Dixon had been let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday, but eight more Badgers are now looking for work too after Saturday.
Starting at noon on Sunday teams can begin filling out their practice squads. We will try and keep this post updated with where these players end up signing and then later this week we’ll have a post with every current NFL Badger so you can follow their exploits this season.
- Dare Ogunbowale, RB (Buccaneers): A top quality special teamer for the Bucs, Ogunbowale, who also excels at catching the ball out of the backfield, shouldn’t be on the waiver wire for long.
The #Bucs are cutting RB Dare Ogunbowale, source said, a special teams captain and core contributor who has been with the team since 2018. The RB room was crowded thanks to the addition of Leonard Fournette.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 4, 2020
UPDATE 9/6/20, 3:22 p.m. CT: Apparently Ogunbowale will have a meeting with the Raiders on Monday to see if the two sides can come to an agreement.
If the Raiders would sign Ogunbowale, would be reunited with former #Badgers teammate Alec Ingold.
— Jake Kocorowski (@JakeKoco) September 6, 2020
The two combined for 13 rushing TDs in 2015 during Chryst's first season as head coach (Dare also had a receiving touchdown that season). https://t.co/lpj2tZkGdD
- D’Cota Dixon, S (Buccaneers): Dixon had a strong camp but was the odd man out as the fifth safety on the roster.
Bucs continue their cuts with safety D’Cota Dixon. Strong candidate to be back on practice squad as they’re likely only keeping four safeties on the 53 ...
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 4, 2020
- Chris Orr, LB (Panthers): Orr came into Panthers camp as an undrafted free agent and was apparently Luke Kuechly’s shadow. He spoke to the media the day before roster cutdowns and appeared confident that Carolina liked his game. He might be a candidate for their practice squad.
LB Chris Orr, who seems kind of excited to talk to reporters, said he's pretty confident that the Panthers at least like him, but he'll find out tomorrow whether he's going to make the roster.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) September 4, 2020
UPDATE 9/6/20, 3:22 p.m. CT: Just as we thought, Orr will be joining Carolina’s practice squad.
Panthers are signing LB Chris Orr to the practice squad, per league source. UDFA from Wisconsin.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) September 6, 2020
- Natrell Jamerson, DB (Panthers): Jamerson appeared in five games for Carolina last season before ending up on injured reserve. With larger practice squads in 2020, he’s also a candidate to remain with the Panthers.
- Olive Sagapolu, DT (Lions): It has been a wild ride for Sagapolu with Detroit over the past few weeks. It’s clear the Lions like him, despite waiving him twice, and are probably looking for room for him on their practice squad.
Olive Sagapolu's time on the street was short-lived. He re-signed with the Lions yesterday. Detroit waived him Aug. 27. #Badgers
— Dave Heller (@dave_heller) September 1, 2020
- Beau Benzschawel, OL (Lions): It sounds like Benzschawel was one of the last cuts the Lions made and the versatile backup lineman should be able to find a new home quickly.
Beau Benzschawel never saw action despite the Lions ridiculous rotation in 2019 and injuries all over.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) September 5, 2020
That he didn't make the team despite working as the primary backup center is a bad sign to his long term prospects, but short term we may see him back just for that. pic.twitter.com/9uBoDRKZAB
- Ryan Connelly, LB (Giants): Looking at the tweets from Giants fans about Connelly and it seems like they are not happy about the decision to cut the linebacker. I’d guess that another team makes Connelly an offer and he doesn’t go back to New York, but we’ll see.
Giants made surprising decision to waive LB Ryan Connelly, but sounds like they don't want this to be goodbye.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 6, 2020
Hope is that he clears waivers so they can add him to the practice squad.
Might come down to what Connelly wants as well, provided he has other offers. Fun starts at 12.
UPDATE 9/6/20, 11:48 a.m. CT: The native of Eden Prairie, Minn. is coming home to play for the Vikings after being signed off waivers by Minnesota.
LB Ryan Connelly, the surprise cut by the Giants yesterday, was claimed off waiver by the Minnesota Vikings.
— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) September 6, 2020
- Troy Fumagalli, TE (Broncos): Fumagalli just had surgery but Denver is going to try and bring him back to their practice squad.
Because of abdominal surgery earlier this week, TE Troy Fumagalli has been waived/injured by the Broncos per multiple sources. When they reach an injury settlement, and he’s healthy, I expect the Broncos try to add him to their practice squad if he doesn’t find a new home.
— Brandon Krisztal (@BKDenverSports) September 5, 2020
- Ryan Groy, OL (Chargers): Tough move for the veteran offensive lineman, but with injuries sure to hit other teams one would think Groy could find a spot as a versatile backup.
#Chargers are releasing C/G Ryan Groy, per source. A seven-year vet.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) September 5, 2020
- Nick Nelson, S (Raiders): Nelson was cut back on Sept. 1 due to a failed physical. He’s played in 12 games over the past two seasons.