Tag: roster bubble

8 Bears players on the roster bubble heading into training camp

These Bears players will need a strong camp to secure a spot on the initial 53-man roster.

Chicago Bears training camp is drawing closer each day and it’s only a matter of time before players report to Halas Hall and begin practicing. While fans are eager to see players such as Justin Fields, D.J. Moore, Tremaine Edmunds, and Jaquan Brisker, training camp will be vital for those near the bottom of the depth chart looking to make the initial 53-man roster.

From former first-round picks to undrafted free agents, everyone will need to do their part to earn a roster spot when practices get underway. Here are eight players on the roster bubble heading into camp that will be worth watching.

One Commanders player on the roster bubble at each position heading into training camp

Training camp is coming soon and we look at some veteran players who could be on the roster bubble.

The Washington Commanders will report to training camp on July 26, with the first practice on July 27. Washington’s rookies will report to camp on July 21.

With a little over two weeks remaining until training camp begins, it’s the perfect time to begin analyzing Washington’s 90-man roster. The Commanders drafted seven players and signed 12 more undrafted free agents. Not all of these rookies will make Washington’s 53-man roster.

However, we shift our focus to the veterans on Washington’s roster. Which veterans are on the roster bubble? We name one veteran at each position group who is on the bubble this summer.

1 veteran player on roster bubble at each position for Colts

Taking a look at one Colts’ veteran on the roster bubble from each position.

The Indianapolis Colts are just weeks away from the start of training camp when the team will arrive at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

Bringing in a rookie head coach and new coaching staff on the offensive side of the ball means there will be a lot of competition taking place throughout the roster.

Training camp and the preseason will be the best time for players to make their cases for the 53-man roster. For this exercise, we’re going to look at veteran players from each position who are on the roster bubble.

We’ll try to include as many relevant veterans as possible, ones who carry some weight but realistically may be on the fringe of the roster.

Here’s a look at one veteran player on the roster bubble from each position for the Colts:

1 Chiefs player on the roster bubble at each position group

Our @goldmctNFL takes a look at one player on the roster bubble at each position group for the #Chiefs ahead of training camp:

The Kansas City Chiefs will soon head to St. Joseph, Missouri for training camp. They’ve compiled a full 90-man roster after tinkering for the past few months during the offseason workout program.

As the roster goes from 90 players down to 53 later this offseason, several players will find themselves in the hot seat. They will need to enter camp practicing and participating in team meetings with a sense of focus and urgency if they’re to remain a member of the team come September.

Whether it’s a veteran player battling to keep his spot or a newcomer trying to earn his keep, here’s a look at one player on the roster bubble at each position group for the Chiefs:

1 veteran on roster bubble at each position group for 49ers

These veterans are all on the roster bubble heading into camp for the 49ers:

The 49ers have some interesting decisions to make with their roster construction this year. They may have to try and thread the needle between keeping rookies for long-term purposes and keeping veterans who they’re more confident in contributing to a potential Super Bowl run.

Despite the fact they’ll lean heavily on veterans – no rookies figure to start this season outside of kicker Jake Moody – there are a handful of veterans who sit firmly on the roster bubble going into camp.

Lets take a look at the vets who enter training camp on the bubble for the 53-man roster:

6 Lions players on the roster bubble on cutdown day

Here are a few Lions players sitting on the roster bubble as we enter the final hours before the deadline

While they aren’t official until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the Detroit Lions have already informed several players they will not make the initial 53-man roster. Among those no longer with the team: LB Jarrad Davis, TE Devin Funchess and WR Tom Kennedy.

The bubble burst on those three roster aspirants, who all had at least outside chances to make the Lions regular-season roster. There are still quite a few players anxiously perched on that roster bubble as the cutdown deadline rapidly approaches.

Here are a few Lions players sitting on the roster bubble as we enter the final hours before the deadline.

Who is on the Saints’ roster bubble entering the preseason finale?

Who is on the Saints’ roster bubble entering the preseason finale? Breaking down the list on offense and defense:

It’s going to be tough to make the New Orleans Saints’ roster. Just 53 of the 80 players under contract right now are going to make the cut, and many of those roster spots are already accounted for – by my count, as many as 46 players should be safe bets to make the opening-day depth chart (granted, three of them are specialists in the kicking game). 

Everyone else is on the roster bubble. A strong performance on Friday night against the Los Angeles Chargers could be what they need to win a job for Week 1, but falling shy of expectations could send their career in another direction. There’s a lot on the line for many of these guys. With that in mind, here are the players likely on the bubble going into the preseason finale:

1 player to watch at each Saints position group in preseason finale

Highlighting a player to watch at each Saints position group in their preseason finale against the Chargers:

The New Orleans Saints preseason will close out on Friday night when the Los Angeles Chargers visit for this summer’s only exhibition game at the Caesars Superdome. It’s the last opportunity for many players to make their case for a roster spot – New Orleans must whittle the depth down from 80 players to just 53 after this preseason game, and probably 40 or more of those roster spots are already spoken for. Many guys will just be hoping to earn a practice squad contract. The Saints have built a highly competitive team.

So there will be plenty to tune in for when they kick off with the Chargers. We’re highlighting one player from each position group who deserves some attention. Some of them are guys on the roster bubble who can change their fortunes with a big night, others are recent high draft picks who need to show more progress before the regular season begins. Others could be on their way out if they don’t meet expectations. Let’s run through the list:

Who is on the Packers’ roster bubble entering the preseason finale?

Breaking down who is on the roster bubble on offense, defense and special teams as the Packers approach the preseason finale.

The Green Bay Packers won’t play veteran starters during the preseason finale in Kansas City, meaning Thursday night’s exhibition game should provide another terrific opportunity for players on the roster bubble to play a big chunk of snaps and make a final splash. Much of the 53-man roster is already decided, but there are still intriguing roster battles to watch on offense and defense, leaving plenty to play for on Thursday night.

Here are the likely roster bubble players entering the preseason finale:

Offense (16)

QB Danny Etling
RB Patrick Taylor
RB Tyler Goodson
RB Dexter Williams
WR Amari Rodgers
WR Juwann Winfree
WR Samori Toure
WR Travis Fulgham
WR Ishmael Hyman
TE Tyler Davis
TE Alize Mack
TE Nate Becker
TE Sal Cannella
OL Caleb Jones
OL Rasheed Walker
OL Michal Menet

Thoughts: Who will be RB3? Will the Packers keep seven receivers? Who is TE4? Will the Packers keep 10 offensive linemen? These are the questions needed to be answered in the preseason finale.

Defense (17)

DL Jack Heflin
DL Jonathan Ford
DL Chris Slayton
DL Akial Byers
OLB Ladarius Hamilton
OLB Tipa Galeai
OLB Kobe Jones
LB Ty Summers
LB Ray Wilborn
CB Kiondre Thomas
CB Kabion Ento
CB Rico Gafford
S Innis Gaines
S Dallin Leavitt
S Tariq Carpenter
S Micah Abernathy
S De’Vante Cross

Thoughts: Figuring out the depth is required at just about every defensive position group. As many as six or seven players from the group above could end up making the 53-man roster, and it’s certainly possible the preseason finale will determine the winners of the last few available roster spots. The Packers must find the true backups at edge rusher and safety, and then decide what kind of numbers the team wants along the defensive line, inside linebacker and cornerback.

Special teams (2)

LS Jack Coco
K Ramiz Ahmed

Coco has been steady, but he’s still competing against any street free agent available at snapper. Ahmed is holding down the fort until Mason Crosby (PUP) is healthy, but he was solid against the Saints.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=none image=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Lions DL John Cominsky got ‘into the groove’ nicely vs. Colts, helps his cause to make the team

Lions DL John Cominsky got ‘into the groove’ nicely vs. the Colts and helped his case to make the team in the process

John Cominsky is battling to make the Detroit Lions amidst a crowded and uncertain defensive line. The veteran put his best foot forward in the Lions’ 27-26 preseason win over the Colts in Indianapolis.

Cominsky started at defensive end opposite Austin Bryant while the starters sat out. Both Bryant and Cominsky turned in stellar games against the overmatched Colts reserve offensive tackles. Bryant bagged two sacks while Cominsky added another as both lived in the Colts backfield all afternoon.

“We started to get a feel of what the protection was,” Cominsky said after the game. “So we just started doing some twist games and guys starting to come into their own and get comfortable rushing the passer. Everybody’s starting to get into the groove.”

It wasn’t just the pass rush where Cominsky and the Lions defensive line grooved on Saturday. They also bottled up the Colts run game, allowing just 30 yards on 18 carries. Cominsky bagged a tackle-for-loss among his team-leading six stops, a figure that also included his sack. The run defense was a priority.

“We knew we needed to improve,” Cominsky told reporters. “The Falcons were able to get a couple of good runs. We want to take pride in stopping the run so we took the necessary adjustments. Everybody showed up in their gap … the running backs had nowhere to go.”

Cominsky did his damage primarily from the outside in Indianapolis, but he’s also been effective when kicking inside throughout camp. It’s that versatility that attracted the Lions to claim him off waivers from the Falcons earlier this offseason.

With all the injuries on the Lions defensive front, it’s that versatility and effectiveness in doing multiple things well that makes Cominsky a real asset. Second-round rookie Josh Paschal, last year’s second-rounder in Levi Onwuzurike and veteran Romeo Okwara are all capable of playing the same role, but they’re all hurt. Paschal and Okwara are both on the PUP list and appear unlikely to start the season on the active roster, while Onwuzurike continues to struggle with a back/hip injury that dates back to his college days.

Cominsky is quickly proving to be a savvy acquisition. He’s played his way from a variable on the roster bubble into a solid, useful player who should see some reps in the regular season. Saturday’s strong performance should cement his spot on the initial 53-man roster.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbx8sj47vkwrznr player_id=none image=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]