The NFL preseason is wrapping up with teams facing critical decisions ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline to trim rosters to 53 players. Week 3 games served as final auditions for players fighting for spots across the league.
Running Back Battles Heat Up
In Baltimore’s 30-3 win over Washington, Rasheen Ali and D’Ernest Johnson made strong cases for roster spots. Ali showed versatility with 14 touches for 52 yards including 5 receptions, while Johnson demonstrated durability with 20 carries for 63 yards. Both scored touchdowns, but Ali’s pass-catching ability might give him an edge as the Ravens make final decisions.
Quarterback Concerns in Washington
Washington faces depth issues behind rookie Jayden Daniels. Veteran Marcus Mariota remains sidelined with Achilles tendinitis while Sam Hartman struggled with turnovers against Baltimore. Hartman threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, with those takeaways resulting in 13 Ravens points. Josh Johnson also threw an interception in his second-half action, raising questions about Washington’s backup situation.
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Rookies Making Final Impressions
Lions rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa continued his impressive preseason, scoring a touchdown for the third straight game. The third-round pick displayed strong route-running and sideline awareness, suggesting he could push for playing time in Detroit’s deep receiver room.
Texans rookie running back Woody Marks showcased excellent vision with 19 yards on six carries and a 9-yard touchdown run. His pass-catching ability (three catches for 20 yards) might create an opportunity with Joe Mixon dealing with a foot/ankle injury.
Roster Cut Considerations
Special teams performances are proving decisive for players on the bubble. Marlowe Wax’s impact for the Chargers (six tackles, one sack, two QB hits, a pass break-up, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble) strengthen arguments for roster spots.
Browns GM Andrew Berry has expressed openness to keeping four quarterbacks, an unusual strategy that highlights how complex roster decisions can be. Injuries also factor heavily – Steelers rookie Derrick Harmon suffered an MCL sprain that will sideline him at least a month, potentially forcing Pittsburgh to seek defensive line depth.
With the regular season less than two weeks away, teams must evaluate not just who makes the initial 53-man roster, but also which players might be available from other teams as nearly 1,200 players league-wide will be waived by Tuesday’s deadline.
