There’s not much, honestly, since it’s the 4th preseason game and last week’s 5-0 loss was excruciating enough.

But with the injury situation being somewhat concerning heading into next week’s season opener, some of the “fringe” guys might have more meaningful roles to play in week one.

Keep an eye on:

Josh Adams

Doug Pederson said on Tuesday that he wants to see the running back early and often in this game.

Adams didn’t receive a lot of snaps last week with Wendell Smallwood carrying much of the load literally and figuratively. The undrafted free agent got four carries that he turned into 33 yards.

It seems like Smallwood is going to be the fourth runner on the depth chart this season behind Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, and Darren Sproles. Donnel Pumphrey hasn’t played a single preseason game and Matt Jones fumbled his way out of contention for a roster spot.

Speaking of Pumphrey, we’ll probably see a bit of him tonight, but I can’t imagine there’s any way he makes the team after missing so much time due to injury.

Doug’s full quote from Tuesday afternoon regarding what he’s looking for:

“Obviously these young receivers, not only making the 53, but we’re looking at guys also for practice squad. This is a good time for these young guys to make a really good stand.

Another one that hasn’t gotten a lot of touches in ball games is Josh Adams, as a runner, so want to maybe get him involved in this game a little bit early and see what he can do. He’s another bright spot, young player that’s made an impact.

And really right now, it’s just about seeing these guys one last time in this type of environment when things are kind of flying around. They didn’t get a lot of snaps last week, and so just want to make sure that as personnel staff, coaches, we’re doing our due diligence that when we eventually get to the 53 that we’re not missing anybody.”

Exciting.

Receiver

With the news that Alshon Jeffery will miss the season opener, the door is open for another receiver to make the early roster as a back-end replacement.

I’d imagine it looks something like this for week one, as far as the depth chart goes:

  • WR 1: Mike Wallace
  • Slot: Nelson Agholor
  • WR2: Shelton Gibson/Mack Hollins

The Hollins situation is weird. I think we all had him slotted in as the fourth WR this season, but he hasn’t played yet due to sports hernia recovery. Nelson Agholor hasn’t played in the preseason. If you’re looking at the situation from afar, you either put your trust in Gibson and a couple of guys who didn’t get preseason reps, or you ignore that entirely, show some 12 personnel and lean on your tight ends instead.

That’s probably going to be the case against the Falcons, a lot of Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz, but there’s a chance tonight for guys like Markus Wheaton and Kamar Aiken to prove enough to slide into that last WR spot. DeAndre Carter looked decent last week and has a big game ahead of him as well.

On the bubble

Outside of running back and receiver, I think you’re looking at LaRoy Reynolds and probably Tre Sullivan and De’Vante Bausby as guys that are right on the cusp.  Maybe you put Chance Warmack on the list, but it’s much more likely that the Birds keep Jordan Mailata as a tackle project and replace Warmack with Matt Pryor at guard. Still, if you’re keeping eight linemen, it’s gonna be these guys:

  1. Jason Peters
  2. Stefen Wisniewski
  3. Jason Kelce
  4. Brandon Brooks
  5. Lane Johnson
  6. Big V
  7. Matt Pryor
  8. Isaac Seumalo

Seumalo is a lock because of his versatility, so Mailata goes to the practice squad or you find a way to get him on IR or something like that.

Otherwise, Bruce Hector is trending up, probably above Elijah Qualls at this point. Tim Jernigan will knock somebody off the roster when he returns, same with Nigel Bradham, who is suspended for week one. Chris Maragos’ health situation will influence what happens with Sullivan, now that Corey Graham is back in the mix.

Christian Hackenberg

He’s gonna play.

Nate Sudfeld

I would not play him.

Helmet rule

Let’s hope last week’s occurrence of zero lowered helmet flags continues tonight.

That’s really about it. This time next week we’ll be previewing the Shawn Mendes Penn’s Landing performance, along with the Atlanta Falcons.