USC in the NFL: making the cut

Tight end Xavier Grimble, defensive lineman George Uko and safety Dion Bailey were among USC juniors who opted to forgo their final seasons at USC to make themselves available for the NFL draft.

At this point, it looks as if their gamble did not pay off.

NFL rosters have been cut to a maximum 53 players, and they did not make a team.

Grimble and Bailey were waived from the New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.

The New Orleans Saints released Uko.

Running back Silas Redd, who completed his college eligibility, made the Washington Redskins’ roster as an undrafted free agent. Redd won a position battle among four running backs -- including fourth-year player Evan Royster and sixth-round pick Lache Seastrunk. “Never give up on your dream!!!,” Redd tweeted. “God blessed me and everything I do from now on is to glorify him! #RedskinsNation let’s do it baby!!”

Offensive lineman Kevin Graf and tight end Kevin Greene were signed to practice squads with the Philadelphia Eagles and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively.

Second-round pick Marqise Lee made the Jacksonville Jaguars’ roster.

Center Marcus Martin made the roster with the San Francisco 49ers despite battling injuries in training camp. Martin missed Week 1 because of an ankle injury. He made his debut in Week 2, then was carted off the field during Week 3 because of a knee injury. His recovery is expected to take six weeks.

Martin posted to his Instagram, “Thank you to all the 49er faithful who DM’d, posted, or mentioned me with prayers. I’m very thankful and will be back sooner than later!”

Linebacker Devon Kennard made the Giants’ roster. Kennard tweeted, “Growing up in the west coast I always dreamed of what NYC was like, now I have the privilege of calling it home!”

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