There's life on the NFL roster bubble, and then there's what Robert Tonyan went through on cut-down day.
The first-year tight end, who spent the final month of last season on the Green Bay Packers' practice squad, wasn't one of those players who avoided Lambeau Field all day on Saturday as teams made their final roster cuts.
The 24-year-old went about his routine: a workout, something to eat in team dining and a little film work. By that time, it was about 1:30 p.m. -- or 90 minutes before the cut-down deadline. He had not heard a word, which usually means good news, so he went back to the hotel where players on the bubble who haven't found permanent living arrangements stay.
Tonyan was in the middle of a video game in receiver Jake Kumerow's room when a text from an unfamiliar number showed up on his phone at 2 p.m. -- one hour before final cuts. The text said to bring his team-issued iPad, the modern-day version of a playbook, and report to Lambeau Field.
"I just handed [Kumerow] the phone and he goes, 'Noooooooo,'" Tonyan said.
"I was like, 'Man I didn't even get a call. I got a text.'"
A dejected Tonyan left the hotel and made the short drive back to the stadium.
"I guess Jake talked to his agent and he was like, the text message seemed suspicious," Tonyan said. "But in that moment you're not thinking that. You're thinking, 's---.'"
It turned out to be a prank that no one -- including tight ends coach Brian Angelichio -- was aware of until later. "I saw coach Ang first, and he was like happy to see me," Tonyan said. "And I'm like, 'All right, you're happy to say bye? That's unfortunate.'"
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