The fourth preseason game may not mean much to established starters, as they spend the game smiling on the sidelines with no pads and no worries about the looming cuts. But for the players on the proverbial roster bubble, the preseason finale means everything.
Among the different position battles in the spotlight in Thursday night’s matchup with the New York Jets, the running back situation was among the most interesting to watch. While LeGarrette Blount, Darren Sproles, and Wendell Smallwood watched from the sideline, rookies Corey Clement and Donnel Pumphrey did everything they could to leave one final positive impression with the coaching staff before the 53-man roster must be announced by Saturday at 4 p.