CINCINNATI — The tough work for the Indianapolis Colts front office begins now.

The Colts blew out the Bengals 41-7 in the preseason finale in Cincinnati on Saturday, leaving Indianapolis with two and a half days to cut its roster from 90 players down to 53.

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A handful of spots still appeared to be up for grabs in Saturday’s preseason game, and the players at those spots find themselves competing with the rest of the NFL, since the Colts will be active on the waiver wire after the deadline.

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Offensive tackle

From the outside, it appears that the Colts do not have enough offensive linemen for the numbers Ballard prefers to carry on the active roster. Indianapolis lost offensive tackle Blake Freeland to a fractured leg last week, and the Colts typically prefer to keep four tackles on the roster. Backup Luke Tenuta played in Freeland’s place, but Tenuta is likely competing against the entire NFL. Ballard has added players after the cut deadline more than once during his tenure as general manager. The Colts could add another.

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Linebacker

The health of Jaylon Carlies is a key factor in the team’s decision-making at linebacker. Carlies has not played in a couple of weeks due to an ankle injury, and unlike a handful of other veterans dealing with injuries, Carlies has not been spotted on the practice field this week. If Carlies goes on injured reserve, Indianapolis is going to need depth at the position. The Colts failed to add any experience at linebacker in the offseason, creating a spot for veteran special teamer Joe Bachie to win the weak-side job next to Zaire Franklin in the middle. Indianapolis has a couple of developmental linebackers it likes, but the Colts could use an infusion of talent at the position.

Cornerback

Indianapolis typically keeps six cornerbacks. Handicapping the final spot is no easy task. Undrafted rookie Johnathan Edwards got the attention of the coaching staff during training camp and took a week’s worth of starting snaps due to injuries. Veteran Samuel Womack III started eight games last season, but he struggled with penalties throughout training camp and suffered a hamstring injury last week that complicates his situation. Another veteran, Chris Lammons, signed midway through training camp as a backup nickel and special teamer. All three of those players appear to be battling for one spot, potentially making it the most competitive spot on the roster.

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Safety

Indianapolis seemed set at the safety position until Hunter Wohler suffered a Lisfranc injury in his right foot against the Packers. Third-year safety Daniel Scott has always had the support of the front office, and he finished strong with a pick-six in the preseason finale, plus a key play on special teams. Scott, a key special teamer, seems like a strong bet to make the roster, but the Colts might want a player who’s more of a sure thing to back up Nick Cross at strong safety.

Running back

Indianapolis seemed set at running back until Tyler Goodson suffered an elbow injury against the Packers. Goodson is expected to be back early in the season, but a pedestrian training camp from veteran Khalil Herbert and an injury could put the position on the Colts’ radar for an addition on the waiver wire.

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Defensive tackle

The Colts have struggled to find a consistent backup nose tackle behind Grover Stewart during his tenure. Veteran Raekwon Davis was signed in free agency to fill the void last season, but he struggled, leading to his release in the offseason. Neville Gallimore  and Adetomiwa Adebawore seem likely to make the team, but both players profile best as 3-technique tackles, leaving a battle between Eric Johnson and sixth-round pick Tim Smith for the nose guard spot. Neither player stood out during training camp, leaving room for a claim at a spot where the Colts lost two players (Johnson, Jonah Laulu) on the waiver wire after cuts a year ago.

Joel A. Erickson covers the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts roster cutdown: 6 positions that seem undecided for 53-man roster