NFL preseason 2014: Backups get their chance in Week 4 schedule
The preseason concludes on Thursday night with all 32 teams in action.
John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
6 p.m. ET (Home: WJXT, Away: CW69)
Chad Henne may have been named the Week 1 starter, but every successful preseason outing Blake Bortles puts together narrows the gap and makes a midseason takeover more likely. Bortles' latest work was an 158-yard, one-touchdown game against the Lions, and he should get plenty of playing time to follow that up with a big night on Thursday.
The Falcons will get one last shot to finalize their makeshift offensive line. A week after losing starting left tackle Sam Baker to an ACL tear, the group suffered another blow last weekend when versatile backup Mike Johnson was placed on season-ending IR with a foot injury.
7 p.m. ET (Home: WKBW, Away: WXYZ7)
The Bills may be without Sammy Watkins for a second week in a row. The star rookie wideout injured his ribs two weeks ago and sat out last weekend's game against the Buccaneers. Watkins has been practicing, which is a good sign that his absence is strictly precautionary.
The most intriguing player on Detroit's roster bubble is wide receiver Ryan Broyles. A streak of three consecutive season-ending injuries dating back to his senior year at Oklahoma has kept the 2012 second-rounder from making an impact in the NFL. But now healthy, Broyles is shining in the preseason. He leads the Lions with eight catches through three weeks of exhibition play.
7 p.m. ET (Home: Local 12, Away: WNDY TV23)
The Colts started last Saturday's game against the Saints down 20-7, but it was nevertheless an encouraging offensive start. That's because running back Ahmad Bradshaw and legendary receiver Reggie Wayne saw each saw their first action since going on IR last season. Don't expect to see much, if any, of those two against the Bengals, but rest assured if you're a Colts fan that they'll be on the field in Week 1.
The Bengals will just be trying to make it through the game in one piece. They saw four players go down in a three-drive span late against the Cardinals last Sunday, three of which -- James Wright, T.J. Johnson and Trey Hopkins -- had to be carted off the field.
7 p.m. ET (Home: WTMJ-TV, Away: KCTV-5)
Speaking of injuries, the Packers were hurt last week by the losses of B.J. Raji (out for the season with a biceps tear) and starting center J.C. Tretter (out six weeks or so with a fractured knee). Tretter was being counted on as a replacement for Evan Dietrich-Smith and had received every first team snap in training camp and exhibitions. The Packers now have just one preseason game to prepare rookie replacement Corey Linsley.
Jamaal Charles has missed the last two Chiefs preseason outings with a minor foot issue and isn't expected to suit up on Thursday. That's another opportunity for backup Knile Davis to continue to impress (he has 30 touches for 159 yards this preseason).
7 p.m. ET (Home: CBS 4, Away: KTVI)
Sam Bradford's ACL tear leaves the Rams with only two weeks to decide on his replacement under center. With the frenzy of trade rumors appearing to be hollow, that's likely to be Shaun Hill, who's thrown just 16 passes over the last three seasons as a backup in Detroit.
The Dolphins have a last-minute running back controversy on their hands. Lamar Miller was the expected starter after Knowshon Moreno's summer-long injury absence, but Moreno's impressive preseason debut last week against the Cowboys has re-ignited the competition.
7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Michael Vick and Mark Sanchez traded cities this offseason and now they both reunite with their former teams. Vick made some interesting comments this week about his initial trepidation over joining the Eagles back in 2009, but went on to praise the team for allowing him to mount a comeback to his NFL career. Squarely behind Geno Smith on the depth chart in New York, he’s expected to see a few snaps on Thursday.
This is also a big game for Sanchez, who’s been the center of trade talks during a blazing hot preseason run (25-of-31 passing for 281 yards and two touchdowns through three games). The most recent speculation has him heading to St. Louis to take over for Bradford, though that seems like a long shot at this point.
7:30 p.m. ET (Home: NBC 4NY, Away: WBZ-TV)
Rookie quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will start for the Patriots and may play the entire game. If that happens, it's confirmation that the second-round pick has supplanted Ryan Mallett as Tom Brady's backup, and likely an indication that Mallett is on his way out of New England. Rumor has it that Mallett will be traded or released before the season begins.
Giants guard Geoff Schwartz probably wouldn't have played anyway, but he's out with a dislocated toe. The prized free agent signing will spend a week in a walking boot, after which he'll be day-to-day as he works through a rehab program. That potentially endangers his availability for the regular season opener.
7:30 p.m. ET (Home: CBS2, Away: WCCB)
Joe Webb may be the only quarterback available for the Panthers for this game. Cam Newton has a fractured rib, (he's expected to be ready for Week 1), backup Derek Anderson is awaiting the birth of his child and fourth-stringer Matt Blanchard is out with a concussion.
The Steelers haven't ruled out suspensions for running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount, who were busted on marijuana charges during a traffic stop last week. Those two are the only backs on the team with an NFL carry, which means Thursday could be a critical dress rehearsal for third-round pick Dri Archer.
Washington vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7:30 p.m. ET (Home: WFLA, Away: NBC4)
The Bucs won't have a chance to get its star new offensive lineman acclimated in the final preseason game. Logan Mankins, the six-time Pro Bowler who was dealt by the Patriots in a shocking trade this week, will not suit up on Thursday night, according to Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times.
Washington has to figure out who their starting safety is after Brandon Meriweather got hit with a two-game suspension for an illegal hit in last week's preseason game. That will likely be second-year man Bacarri Rambo, who Jay Gruden said will be one of the few presumptive starters on the field against the Bucs. Phillip Thomas, who was drafted two rounds above Rambo and is the other possible replacement for Meriweather, has been ruled out with a foot injury.
8 p.m. ET (Home: WKYC, Away: WFLD)
With the official word of Josh Gordon’s year-long suspension behind them, the Browns can focus on moving forward. Brian Hoyer is scheduled to play the majority of the first quarter, with Johnny Manziel finishing the half and possibly going into the third quarter. Rex Grossman and Connor Shaw will then split the remaining time.
There will be no quarterback shuffle on the other sideline. With Jay Cutler and backup Jimmy Clausen not expected to play, rookie sixth-round pick David Fales will have the game to himself against the Browns.
8 p.m. ET (Home: KTVT, Away: KTVD)
The Broncos get to try out their temporary replacement for kicker Matt Prater. Denver traded for Brandon McManus of the Giants after it was announced that Prater had been suspended four games for violating the substance abuse policy.
The Cowboys have a lively running back competition going on behind DeMarco Murray and Lance Dunbar. After former fifth-round pick Joseph Randle injured himself last week, the team went out and signed Phillip Tanner. Throw in Ryan Williams, who leads the team in preseason rushing, and you have a crowd. The Cowboys have been known to carry four running backs into the regular season, but that still leaves three players fighting for two spots.
8 p.m. ET (Home: KTRK, Away: KPIX-5)
Forget the notion that only backups play in the final preseason game. Both starting quarterbacks -- Colin Kaepernick for San Francisco and Ryan Fitzpatrick for Houston -- will start, and both need solid outings to quiet disconcerted whispers about their play. Kaepernick and the Niners starters have yet to reach the end zone through three exhibitions, and Fitzpatrick has been up and down as he tries to adjust to his new team.
8 p.m. ET (Home: Cox Sports, Away: WBAL)
The Ravens top three corners -- Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson -- are all still sidelined with injuries. There’s hope that all three will be back in time for the season opener against the Bengals, but that hasn’t stopped rumors of a potential trade to help the position’s depth. No specific names have been mentioned, but Jim Harbaugh told The Baltimore Sun earlier this week that he’s open to making a move before the season starts.
8 p.m. ET (Home: WKRN2, Away: KARE-11)
Mike Zimmer named Matt Cassel the Vikings starting quarterback earlier this week, but it's likely that Teddy Bridgewater will get the final preseason start. The rookie has been impressive in his last two outings, leading a game-winning touchdown drive against the Cardinals then following it up with a two-score outing against the Chiefs.
The Titans will be hoping to keep Bridgewater out of the end zone early. They’ve allowed an opening-drive touchdown in all three of their preseason games.
10 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
Need proof that the Seahawks are frothing at the mouth to for live action? Pete Carroll was fined at least $100,000 by the NFL this week for leading a practice with too much contact back on June 16. Seattle will need to watch its physical play on the outside, though -- it’s been suggested that the preseason proliferation of illegal contact calls on defensive backs is a direct result of the Legion of Boom’s bump-and-run style.
Terrelle Pryor should see a good bit of his former team. After a brief period as the Raiders’ starter, the quarterback was traded to Seattle over the offseason.
10 p.m. ET (Home:CBS8, Away: KNXV-TV)
The Cardinals are still reeling from the loss of three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Darnell Dockett. Frostee Rucker filled in nicely last Sunday against the Bengals, helping limit his former team to just 41 rushing yards in the first half. But it won’t always be that easy, and Arizona is still trying to figure out how to replace Dockett’s production.
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