photo by: AP Photo/Gareth Patterson

Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Tommy Dunn Jr. (95) celebrates a tackle against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason NFL football game, in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

The biggest news of the NFL preseason from a University of Kansas perspective was undrafted rookie quarterback Jalon Daniels’ ascension to the No. 2 spot for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Daniels, who started portions of six seasons at KU, including the entirety of 2024 and 2025, beat out veteran Jake Browning and second-year quarterback Connor Bazelak in order to back up Baker Mayfield. That’s a promising start to his career that suggests Daniels could stick around in the professional ranks for longer than most former KU quarterbacks.

Several past Jayhawks also survived Sunday’s roster cutdown deadline, while others have caught on with practice squads in the days since. Quite a few more were not so lucky and will be looking for new homes.

Dorance Armstrong, now an outside linebacker for the Washington Commanders, is the longest-tenured Jayhawk in the NFL. The veteran missed much of the 2025 season after suffering a torn ACL. He has been working his way back into action at practice but will not technically be on the Commanders’ 53-man roster due to a one-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. The Athletic reported that Armstrong “kicked a police officer while being arrested during an incident in May 2025 in Frisco, Texas.”

Also technically absent from his team’s initial roster this season is running back Devin Neal of the New Orleans Saints. Neal received a fair bit of playing time and scored two touchdowns as a rookie but will miss the 2026 season due to a hamstring injury after being placed on season-ending injured reserve.

Austin Booker, now entering his third year, seems poised for a big role with the Chicago Bears after playing just nine snaps in one preseason game, according to Pro Football Focus. However, he is currently battling a groin injury.

Two former KU linemen, both recent NFL Draft selections, made the San Francisco 49ers’ 53-man roster. Dominick Puni has long been firmly ensconced as a starter at guard. Enrique Cruz Jr., a rookie fifth-rounder, saw extensive action with 156 snaps across three preseason contests.

The Seattle Seahawks had entered camp with three Jayhawks on the roster. Second-year guard Bryce Cabeldue earned a spot on the final 53, while second-year tackle Logan Brown returned to the practice squad; both received Super Bowl rings with the team last season. Sixth-round rookie wideout Emmanuel Henderson Jr., who caught four passes for 65 yards, returned four kicks and made a pair of tackles in the preseason, will join Brown on the practice squad.

Bangally Kamara, who initially made the Minnesota Vikings in the spring via a minicamp tryout, found his way onto their practice squad. Tommy Dunn and D.J. Withers had been reunited on the interior defensive line for the Dallas Cowboys, but now they’ve been split up as Dunn made the practice squad, while Withers was waived on Sunday.

Cobee Bryant, who was thrust into action as an undrafted rookie for the Atlanta Falcons as a rookie last year and recorded eight tackles with a pass breakup for the team this preseason, initially appeared to have made the Falcons’ practice squad but was released on Wednesday morning.

Other current free agents include wide receiver Luke Grimm (waived by Los Angeles Chargers with an injury settlement on Aug. 25), kicker Laith Marjan (cut by Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 23) and wideouts Quentin Skinner (released by Buffalo Bills on Saturday) and Levi Wentz (waived by Steelers on Saturday).

Offensive lineman Hakeem Adeniji retired during training camp shortly after signing with the Baltimore Ravens.

photo by: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) looks for a receiver during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla.

photo by: AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. (84) makes a catch and run in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kader Kohou (26) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

photo by: AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Fagnano (12) throws against Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bangally Kamara (59) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Minneapolis.