7 Colts players on roster bubble who must play well vs. Bengals

The Indianapolis Colts will wrap up their preseason on Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Head coach Shane Steichen has already announced that the starters and many of the backups–including Anthony Richardson–won’t be playing in this game. However, with roster cuts looming, there will still be plenty to watch for as several fringe roster players look to make one last push towards the 53-man.

“We’ve got a lot of threes and fours playing in this game,” Steichen said Thursday, via Colts.com. “It’s their last opportunity to go prove it, to make the 53-man roster.

“…I just want to make sure our starters are healthy heading into Week 1, so you’ll see a lot of different bodies out there on Saturday.”

It’s now make-or-break time for these eight Colts players who find themselves on the roster bubble.

OT Luke Tenuta

With Blake Freeland out for the season, Luke Tenuta appears to be the next man up at the offensive tackle position, behind Bernhard Raimann, Braden Smith, and Jalen Travis.

Tenuta performed well against Green Bay, and given the current makeup of the tackle position, I’m going to pencil him in on my next roster prediction, but I imagine the Colts would like to see another solid showing from him to further build that confidence.

CB JuJu Brents

Brents returned to practice this week after missing most of camp with a hamstring injury. Steichen said that Brents will get some reps against the Bengals despite the starters and many backups sitting. I don’t think that’s a coincidence and Brents, despite his draft status, is not a roster lock.

CB Johnathan Edwards, Alex Johnson

As the Colts have navigated injuries at this position during camp, it’s been difficult at times to get a read on where things stand when it comes to what the final roster will look like.

What we know is that Charvarius Ward, Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, and Xavien Howard will account for four roster spots. I would even put Chris Lammons in that group after his performance last Saturday and his experience on special teams. So, in Lou Anarumo’s defensive back-heavy scheme, that leaves potentially one roster spot available.

Along with Brents, Alex Johnson and Johnathan Edwards are competing for that potential role. Samuel Womack was in the mix as well, but has been sidelined this week with an injury.

DT Eric Johnson, Tim Smith

DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Neville Gallimore sit at the top of this depth chart. I’ll also pencil in Adetomiwa Adebawore for a roster spot because of his contributions on special teams.

That group right there could make up the Colts’ roster at this position. However, if they keep a fifth, Eric Johnson and Tim Smith are vying for that spot. Johnson had a very good showing against Green Bay, while Smith was able to force a fumble.

LB Segun Olubi

When Anarumo discussed his plan at linebacker this season, he mentioned Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Cameron McGrone, and Austin Ajiake. Joe Bachie will, of course, be a part of that mix as well.

Those five players could make up the Colts’ linebacker room this season. But if the Colts want to go heavy and keep six, we know Olubi can help on teams, but do they need to see more from him defensively? We also don’t know how much time Carlies is going to miss as he’s been sidelined as of late with an injury.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts preseason: Make-or-break time for 8 Colts players vs. Bengals

7 Colts players on roster bubble who must play well vs. Bengals

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