The Illinois football team had players spread throughout the NFL heading into the 2026 campaign.
There is always the dangerous 53-man roster cut, though. That is a hurdle a lot of players need to avoid, but there were some casualties for the Illini.
This list will be updated as news comes in.
Illinois football movement for the NFL 53-man roster cuts
Waived
- QB Luke Altmyer – Detroit Lions
Sadly, Luke Altmyer was waived by the Lions. This gives him the chance to be claimed by another team. If he clears waivers, Tom Pelissero reports that Altmyer will be back with Detroit on their practice squad.
The Lions are waiving rookie QB Luke Altmyer, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 30, 2026
Detroit wants Altmyer back on the practice squad if he clears waivers. But veteran Josh Dobbs will back up Jared Goff.
- C Josh Kreutz – Indianapolis Colts
I am going to assume Josh Kreutz lands on the Colts’ practice squad. He had a good preseason, and he is someone who will have a long career in the NFL.
- WR Hank Beatty – Tennessee Titans
Hank Beatty was used a lot on special teams for the Titans. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him land somewhere and make a play or two in the regular season.
- WR Casey Washington - Carolina Panthers
- G Josh Gesky - Green Bay Packers
- S Miles Scott - Denver Broncos
Cut
- OL Doug Kramer Jr. - San Francisco 49ers
- WR Malik Turner - San Francisco 49ers
Made 53-Man Roster
- DT James Thompson Jr – San Francisco 49ers
This was a big shocker. Illinois rookie James Thompson Jr. made the 49ers' 53-man roster. That is a great sign for the former Illini and what his future holds in the NFL.
- S Tony Adams – Tennessee Titans
This doesn’t come as a surprise. Tony Adams is entering his fifth season in the NFL, and he started 35 games in the past three seasons. He is a seasoned veteran who is great for the Titans.
- S Sydney Brown - Atlanta Falcons
- RB Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals
- C Ted Karras - Cincinnati Bengals
- WR Pat Bryant - Denver Broncos
- OL Alex Palczewski - Denver Broncos
- LB Jake Hansen - Houston Texans
- OL JC Davis - New York Giants
- OL Vederian Lowe - San Francisco 49ers
- CB Nate Hobbs - San Francisco 49ers
- CB Devon Witherspoon - Seattle Seahawks
- K Chase McLaughlin - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- G Nick Allegretti - Washington Commanders
- S Quan Martin - Washington Commanders
- DT Jer'Zhan Newton - Washington Commanders
- QB Tommy DeVito - New England Patriots
- TE Tanner Arkin - New England Patriots
- LB Gabe Jacas - New England Patriots
Traded
- DT TeRah Edwards – Los Angeles Chargers
Former Illini defensive tackle TeRah Edwards is on the move. In a last-second trade, the Chargers are sending Edwards to the opposite coast, as he is heading to the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are sending a sixth-round pick back.
Placed on PUP (Phyically unable to perform) list
- TE Tip Reiman - Arizona Cardinals
- S Kerby Joseph - Detroit Lions
Injured Reserve
- G Kendrick Green - Cleveland Browns
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