Eagles vs. Colts: Players & Positions to Watch in Preseason Finale

The Philadelphia Eagles still have a few job openings. Here are some players and positions to watch in the final preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

PHILADELPHIA – There may be a handful of jobs still to be won, so Thursday night's final preseason game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field isn’t completely meaningless.

Many of those who play will be auditioning for the 30 other teams, and there is some truth in the fact that if you’re playing in the final preseason game, there’s a good chance you don’t have a chance to make the team.

For the Eagles, here are some players and positions to watch:

Arryn Siposs. Many think the punter’s job is in jeopardy, even after the Eagles released Ty Zentner. The thing about Siposs, though, is the holder on field goals and PATs. Would the Eagles risk dismantling that operation and giving Jake Elliott something to think about when he begins his kicking windup?

Quarterbacks. The expectation is Marcus Mariota will play one series. He could put the entire Delaware Valley’s mind at ease if he were to put up a touchdown on that one series. 

After Mariota sits, Tanner McKee will handle the bulk of the work from there with Ian Book likely to play the final quarter. Book did not see any time in last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns.

Backup nickel cornerback. This was supposed to be Zech McPhearson’s job but a season-ending injury foiled that plan. It’s probably going to come down to Mario Goodrich or Josiah Scott as to who will back up Avonte Maddox.

An undrafted free agent last year from Clemson, Goodrich has done some nice things, but Scott has the experience of playing the last two years in Philly and having undergone cross-training between corner and safety last season. That kind of versatility could give him an advantage.

Josh Sills. The lineman arrived in camp late after untangling his messy legal issues. He played well in the first preseason game, but not so well in the second. This could be a make-or-break game for the former undrafted free agent from a season ago.

Defensive end. Derek Barnett is virtually a roster lock, so there might not be much of a battle here between Janarius Robinson and Tarron Jackson. Both defensive ends have done admirably this summer, with some strong work in both the run and pass games, but there just doesn’t seem to be a spot for them.

Dennis Kelly. The veteran offensive lineman may find himself on the outside looking in after the Eagles signed backup tackle Fred Johnson to a two-year contract on Thursday, just a day after releasing him.

Patrick Johnson. The outside linebacker/edge rusher suffered an ankle injury early in camp but has returned to practice and is likely to get a few snaps against the Colts.

The Eagles have a lot of depth at this position, but Johnson has proven himself as a more than capable backup in his first two seasons and may be auditioning for more of a role on special teams in order to make the team.

Backup cornerback. Two undrafted free agents will get a chance to state their case for a roster spot with the Eagles - Eli Ricks and Mekhi Garner. 

Ricks made a pick-six against the Baltimore Ravens in the opener then struggled a bit last week. Garner has done some nice things and perhaps even done them more consistently. 

Special teams' play could spell the difference as to which one is in and which one is out, but there is still no guarantee that either one will make it.

Punt returner. Britain Covey has missed most of training camp with a hamstring injury, so this could be a place where someone could win a job. The Eagles signed Freddie Swain on Tuesday, and he has some history of doing that, while receiver Olamide Zaccheaus is also doing it.

Could someone else get some looks against the Colts?

Ed Kracz covers the Philadelphia Eagles for SI's EaglesToday.

Please follow him and our Eagles coverage on Twitter at @kracze.

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