JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The final preseason game is always a time of desperation for a large group of players.
With final cuts looming in the days after the game, the fourth preseason game is the last chance players have to make an impression on the coaching staff. It’s unlikely that they’re going to completely change a coach’s mind about getting cut, but if there’s any sliver of doubt in a coach’s mind a good performance can make a difference.
With the 53-man roster limit, the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to have to cut 22 players by Saturday afternoon. Some of those players could end up on the Jaguars’ practice squad, but most are going to have to find employment elsewhere.
Here are 10 bubble players to watch in Thursday's game against Atlanta at EverBank Field:
QB Stephen Morris: Coach Gus Bradley said Morris gets anxious when he’s on the field in team situations and that affects his play. That’s the opposite of what you want your quarterback to feel. He’s battling for the No. 3 spot and needs a good performance against the Falcons.
QB Ricky Stanzi: Stanzi looked good during OTAs and minicamp, but he hasn’t played well during the preseason. He threw two interceptions in last Friday’s game against Detroit and both were off-target passes. He still has practice squad eligibility and might end up there.
WR Chad Bumphis: He’s fighting for a practice squad spot at this point. He hasn’t caught a pass in the three preseason games.
WR Kerry Taylor: He was a big help at the end of the 2013 season after the Jaguars signed him off Arizona’s practice squad, catching 19 passes in the final seven games. However, he has been plagued by dropped passes in the preseason and now that Tandon Doss is nearly completely recovered it’ll be tough for Taylor to make the roster, so the Falcons game is likely an audition for other teams.
TE Marcel Jensen: He’s a classic example of a “wait until the pads go on” guy. He was impressive on OTAs but not so much during training camp. He is fighting withBrandon Barden for the final tight end spot and is likely headed toward the practice squad.
G Drew Nowak: He has spent the past two seasons with the Jaguars -- IR in 2012 and on the practice squad for all but two games last season. He’s fighting for a backup spot and should get plenty of playing time with Zane Beadles not playing against the Falcons.
DT DeAndre Coleman: You can never have too many big bodies, and the undrafted rookie from California certainly qualifies at 6-foot-3, 315 pounds. The Jaguars coached him at the Senior Bowl and liked what they saw enough to bring him here. He’s a practice-squad candidate.
DE Gerald Rivers: It’s hard not to be intrigued by Rivers. He’s 6-5 and 258 pounds with long arms and athletic ability. He’s a raw talent and won’t make the roster because of an abundance of LEOs but he could be headed for the practice squad.
CB Rashaad Reynolds: It seems he’s competing with Jeremy Harris for the fifth cornerback spot.
S Sherrod Martin: He either makes the roster or has to find another team because he started 36 of the 59 games in which he played for Carolina from 2009-12.
