Eagles surprisingly decide to cut Tebow

Tim Tebow is the biggest name among NFL cuts for the second time in three years.

Tebow had seemingly won the No. 3 quarterback job when Philadelphia traded Matt Barkley to Arizona on Friday. But coach Chip Kelly cut the unconventional quarterback who showed improved accuracy since his first stint in the NFL.

He completed 21 of 56 passes this preseason for 286 yards, two TDs and an interception. He also ran for 82 yards and a score.

The Raiders released former Vikings backup quarterback Christian Ponder and placed safety Brandian Ross on injured reserve.

Despite giving Ponder $1.5 million in guaranteed money this offseason, the Raiders opted to keep Matt McGloin as the backup to Derek Carr.

Matt Cassel went from losing the Bills' three-way quarterback competition to losing his job in Buffalo.

The 10-year journeyman and former Viking was the most notable of five players cut by the Bills. The decision to cut Cassel came as a slight surprise.

Cassel's release leaves Buffalo with two quarterbacks, led by Tyrod Taylor, who was selected as the starter on Monday. Former starter and 2013 first-round draft pick EJ Manuel is the backup.

The Packers are going with second-year players Myles White and Jeff Janis to fill out a receiving corps that will be without injured top wideout Jordy Nelson all season.

Janis was a seventh-round draft pick in 2014, one of six players left from that class. General Manager Ted Thompson released defensive end Khryi Thornton (third round); linebacker Carl Bradford (fourth round) and receiver Jared Abbrederis (fifth round).

• New England cut receiver Reggie Wayne, a 14-year-veteran who played his entire career with Indianapolis. Wayne is seventh in NFL history with 1,070 receptions.

• The Titans released veteran receiver Hakeem Nicks. They had signed Nicks to a one-year contract.