Cleveland, OH – The Cleveland Browns and Minnesota Vikings made significant roster moves on Sunday, parting ways with four players each who have roots in Alabama football. As NFL teams prepare for the regular season, the deadline to trim down preseason rosters to 53 active players is set for 3 p.m. CDT on Tuesday.
In total, ten players with connections to Alabama high schools and colleges were waived on Sunday. While most of them face the possibility of being claimed by other teams, cornerback Tony Brown has a different situation. Because of his veteran status and experience since his first NFL game in 2018, Brown is not subject to waivers. The Browns terminated his contract, making him a free agent available to sign with any team immediately.
The other players affected include undrafted rookies Hawthorne, Lewis, and Stewart, all of whom had aspirations to make the team against the odds. Other notable players include Isaac, who has played seven NFL regular-season games, and DuBose, who has participated in three games but is now waived with an injury designation.
Additionally, Cannella, an All-USFL tight end in 2022 and 2025, has not seen action in an NFL regular-season game and has been released at the end of the preseason four years in a row. His career includes being waived by the Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If unclaimed by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, the waived players will officially become free agents. As the NFL reduces its rosters, teams are finalizing their plans for the upcoming season, leaving many hopeful players on the lookout for new opportunities.
