{
  "id": 4092757,
  "title": "NFL waiver wire rules explained: How Dolphins stand in making roster moves",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/nfl-waiver-wire-rules-explained-how-dolphins-stand-in-making-roster",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T03:17:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfl-waiver-wire-rules-explained-031710666.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Miami Dolphins, who are at the bottom of the waiver order, face a challenging situation as they cut 38 players from their roster. Waivers are a process by which teams can release players, making their contracts claimable by any other team. These claims must be made within 24 hours of a player being waived, usually at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The league processes all claims the following day, typically at 1 p.m. Eastern. If a team is already at the 53-man roster limit and receives a waiver claim, they must waive or release an additional player. Waived players with four years of service time become free agents immediately, while others are subject to the waiver process. Teams can then sign cleared waiver players to their 53-man roster or practice squad, with practice squad signings requiring a two-step process. Teams in front of Miami in the waiver order, such as the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets, could potentially block any moves the Dolphins attempt.",
  "summary": "A breakdown of the waiver rules for the NFL as roster cuts begin.",
  "key_points": [
    "Miami Dolphins at bottom of waiver order, facing challenges",
    "Waivers allow player releases, claims by other teams within 24 hours",
    "Teams in front of Dolphins, like Raiders and Jets, could block moves"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Dolphins' low waiver position limits their ability to acquire new players, giving teams ahead of them in the waiver order, like the Raiders and Jets, leverage to block Miami's roster moves.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}