Which players who are on the fence in this final preseason game really need to perform well against the Chargers to make the team? Are there any veterans who are teetering on the brink? – Jay Harris/Little Rock, Arkansas
Nick Eatman: This is a good time to point out how much I hate the term “meaningless game” when referring to the final preseason game. Tell that to Hunter Luepke, who had a practice squad spot ahead of him until he played well in the third game last year and landed on the 53-man roster. I’ve seen it play out that way many times over the years and this probably won’t be an exception. I look at the wide receiver position first. Those guys like Tyron Billy-Johnson and Jalen Cropper have had good training camps but need to do something in the game. At running back, it’s going to be a tough call for the Cowboys, but a guy like Malik Davis has to play really well. If Deuce Vaughn comes in the game, he’s going to have to shine. Tight end will be tough to take down. Brevyn Spann-Ford can help himself with a big game. And let’s stick with the offense with the line. Matt Waletzko and Josh Ball have been here for a while. This is a great time for them to stand out.
Patrick: For many players on the 90-man roster, it’s really now or never, as nearly 40 of them will receive unpleasant news from the Cowboys in late August. There are several camp stars who haven’t made their mark in the preseason yet, and since they only have one chance to do so, I’ll look at Tyron Billy-Johnson as an example: He stole the show in practice but isn’t on the stat sheet in either of his preseason games — which largely goes for Jalen Cropper, too — and Kelvin Harmon is making a real push. Eric Scott has improved a lot, but the Cowboys traded for Andrew Booth and Kemon Hall is shining in preseason games, so Scott will need to bounce back against the Chargers. Peyton Hendershot hasn’t played a game this month and has missed multiple practices due to shoulder issues. It’s unknown if he’ll be on the field Saturday, but if he is, he’ll have to do what he can to keep a guy like Brevyn Spann-Ford (John Stephens Jr. is part of that team) in check. For many it’s now or never, but these are a few that come to mind that need to capture some good stuff on film this coming Saturday.
