8 veterans in danger of being cut ahead of Saturday's deadline

Due to inflated deals, injuries, or lagging performances, various NFL veterans will find themselves without a team after Saturday's 4 p.m. ET 53-man roster deadline.

Here are eight veterans in danger of not securing a roster spot as we near Week 1 of the 2019 regular season.

Demaryius Thomas, WR, Patriots

The return of Josh Gordon was a high note for the New England Patriots but could be unfortunate news for Thomas. The 31-year-old wideout started camp on the physically unable to perform list as he recovered from an Achilles tear suffered in December. His late emergence onto the roster didn't provide him much time to impress in camp and he was unable to showcase his health in preseason games.

Although Jakobi Meyers was shaky during preseason play, the rookie receiver has impressed throughout camp and New England is sure to stick with Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, and first-round draft pick N'Keal Harry. Parting ways with Thomas would save the team $2.76 million, significantly more than releasing any of their younger players who've shown more in camp.

LeSean McCoy, RB, Bills

The Buffalo Bills' premier rusher poses a significant financial burden to the team, which stands to save $6.4 million with his release.

LeSean McCoy will make $9.05M in 2019, if he doesn't get cut this weekend.

For perspective, $9.05M is more than the combination of what Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb, Joe Mixon, James Conner, Aaron Jones, Chris Carson, and Marlon Mack will make this year.

- Scott Barrett (@ScottBarrettDFB) August 28, 2019

McCoy's explosiveness dwindled last year, as he averaged only 3.2 yards per carry, and he's now in the midst of a crowded backfield following the additions of Frank Gore, Devin Singletary, and T.J. Yeldon. The Bills' free-agent acquisitions of John Brown and Cole Beasley also ensure the team possesses offensive weapons outside of McCoy, who's entering the final year of his deal. The veteran tailback may be left out of Josh Allen's sophomore season.

Terrelle Pryor, WR, JaguarsIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

The quarterback-turned-receiver is currently dealing with a minor hamstring injury after exiting the Jacksonville Jaguars' third exhibition game. Pryor caught three of four targets for 26 yards and played 16 offensive snaps - his only preseason action - before leaving with the injury. The 30-year-old has been dealing with the ailment since early August, which has kept him from fully participating in camp.

Pryor didn't stand out last year between his time with the Bills and the New York Jets, as he totaled just 252 receiving yards and two touchdowns in eight games. Also, the Jaguars, who've historically moved the ball on the ground, have younger options at wideout with Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, Marqise Lee, and D.J. Chark Jr.

Carlos Hyde, RB, Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs signed Hyde to a one-year deal to help fill the void left by Kareem Hunt's release. The former San Francisco 49er figured to be the man behind Damien Williams, who took over backfield duties in Hunt's absence last year, but a quiet preseason has led to Hyde's slide on the Chiefs' depth chart.

Kansas City rotated between Williams, Darrel Williams, and rookie Darwin Thompson on their first two drives in Week 3 of the preseason while Hyde rode the bench until the third quarter. Thompson, who's become a preseason darling, also saw goal-line work with the first-team offense, while Hyde has primarily practiced with the backups as of late. The 28-year-old tailback has accumulated just 26 yards and one fumble on eight preseason carries.

It'll be Damien's first season as a lead back, meaning the Chiefs may hang onto their depth and enter the season with four backs. However, if one were to go, Hyde would find himself searching for a new team.

Torrey Smith, WR, Panthers

The Carolina Panthers' receivers stand to benefit in the absence of Devin Funchess, who had 79 targets last year; it just likely won't be Smith. The 30-year-old wideout didn't carve out much of a role for himself last year, as he totaled 190 yards, two touchdowns, and only 17 catches in 11 games. D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel will be Carolina's primary receivers entering this season, with newcomer Chris Hogan slated to be in the slot.

Also, Smith's contract contains no dead money, meaning the Panthers would save $3 million if they were to release the veteran.

Rex Burkhead, RB, Patriots

The Patriots' running back carousel is always full of surprises.

New England currently has nine backs listed on its depth chart, including Sony Michel, James White, Damien Harris, Brandon Bolden, and Burkhead. With Michel and White likely to handle lead duties, Burkhead's role and usage are all the more puzzling. A healthy Burkhead only saw nine snaps up to Week 3 of the preseason, totaling two rushes for three yards. He spent the majority of 2018 on injured reserve with a neck injury, and it's possible the reigning Super Bowl champs succeed again without him in 2019.

Tramon Williams, CB, PackersTodd Olszewski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

With Jaire Alexander and Kevin King both under 25 years of age, Williams may be the victim of a roster squeeze with the Green Bay Packers moving toward youth. Williams was poor in coverage last year, allowing a passer rating of 125.6 on throws in his direction. Green Bay moved him to safety after a poor first half of the season, but he didn't fare much better.

The Packers signed stout safety Adrian Amos this offseason to a four-year, $36-million deal and drafted safety Darnell Savage with the 21st overall pick, creating more competition for Williams - who's entering the final year of his contract - in the secondary. Green Bay could revert Williams back to corner, but it's more likely second-year pro Josh Jackson and 23-year-old Tony Brown will see increased snaps in Williams' absence.

Laquon Treadwell, WR, Vikings

Treadwell's had every opportunity to secure a spot behind Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in the Minnesota Vikings' offense. His next chance may come with a new team.

Head coach Mike Zimmer wasn't shy when he let it be known the former first-round pick was available and the team was "showcasing" him in Week 2 of the preseason against the Seattle Seahawks. Treadwell failed to make an impact in 2018 and his role as the team's third option in the receiving corps could be handed to Chad Beebe or Jordan Taylor after having 35 catches for 302 yards last season. Minnesota doesn't stand to benefit financially from Treadwall's departure, but there haven't been many teams as eager as the Vikings to move on from a former first-round pick.

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