2 former Badgers face the brutal reality of life on the NFL roster bubble

The bottom of an NFL roster during training camp and early preseason is a constant churn. Players will be waived and signed and sometimes it's the same player and the same team. For two former Badgers, they are living that brutal life right now: Quintez Cephus and Tanner Mordecai.

Cephus has recently signed a contract with the Houston Texans after being waived by the San Francisco 49ers, who also recently signed him. The timeline for Cephus from April 18, 2024 (when the NFL reinstated him after a suspension due to violating the league's policy on gambling) to the present is wild.

Cephus signed with the Buffalo Bills, then the Houston Texans, followed by the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers signed him next, and now, he's back with the Texans. That's all in just a little over a year.

Quintez Cephus has signed with the Texans and Tanner Mordecai has signed with the 49ers

The story with Tanner Mordecai is slightly different but also showcases what the bottom of the NFL roster looks like. Mordecai signed with the San Francisco 49ers on January 6, 2025. They then waived him on August 4th, 2025. Today, it was announced that he had been signed. Yes, exactly four days later.

We will see how long either stint lasts as more roster cuts are coming throughout preseason. The hope is that both can find their way onto at least the practice squad of their respective teams, but that's not guaranteed for players at the bottom of the NFL rosters.

Cephus has had a bit of a roller coaster NFL career, and has the athletic ability to make it in the NFL, but he needs a chance to prove it. He did appear in the first pre-season game for the Texans, but only had one target without a catch.

The 49ers play later this evening, and it will be interesting to see if Mordecai finds some action as he works to make his way onto the NFL roster.