No news proved great news for former Georgia Tech wide receiver Darren Waller, who survived the Baltimore Ravens final cuts before the start of the NFL regular season.
Waller, a sixth-round pick, was one of six receivers to make the Ravens’ 53-man roster. He likely beat out Jeremy Butler, who made the team in 2014 as an undrafted free agent but was among the final cuts Saturday. Waller made a strong case with eight catches in the preseason for 60 yards and a touchdown.
There's a chance Waller could be in uniform for the season opener next Monday in Denver. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman has been out since July 30 with a knee injury, and his status is uncertain.
As a fourth-round pick, New England Patriots guard Shaquille Mason’s fate was not in doubt, and his play in the preseason only confirmed it. He is one of four guards on the roster, though, interestingly, he started at right tackle in the final preseason game.
The news was not as good for the three other Tech rookies fighting to make roster spots. Safety Isaiah Johnson, fullback Zach Laskey and linebacker Quayshawn Nealy were all cut in recent days by, Detroit, St. Louis and Seattle, respectively. Laskey and Johnson, who were both longshots as undrafted free agents, were released Saturday.
Laskey and Johnson probably have a chance to make their teams’ practice squads. Nealy, signed as an undrafted free agent, was let go in the team’s cutdown to 75 players last Monday and is less likely. Teams can form their 10-man practice squads Monday afternoon.
San Francisco wide receiver DeAndre Smelter will begin the season on the reserve/non-football-injury list and won't be eligible until after the sixth week of the season. Smelter is rehabilitating his torn ACL injury suffered last November.
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