10 players who must impress in final preseason showcase

The final week of the preseason may be short on stars and entertainment value, but it's replete with players trying to make the final 53-man roster.

Teams are required to reduce their rosters from 90 to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. Therefore, Thursday's preseason games provide the final chances for these 10 players to make the cut:

Keenan Reynolds, WR/KR, Ravens

The former college quarterback at Navy is in the midst of reinventing himself as a receiver and returner with the Baltimore Ravens. He broke out on a 46-yard punt return in his first preseason game, but he's done little since, even failing to record a single catch.

Reynolds should be thrilled the fourth preseason game in New Orleans against the Saints wasn't canceled. He'll be afforded a ton of playing time and plenty of opportunities to make a lasting impression.

Riley Bullough, LB, Buccaneers

The undrafted linebacker out of Michigan State has found fame on "Hard Knocks" under the lovable moniker of Joe Dirt. He's earned fans from his physical play and foul mouth, but - as revealed on episode 4 of the reality series - Bullough has struggled in coverage. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith damn near cut him after he allowed a long reception in the dying moments of the team's third preseason game.

Bullough needs results in preseason Week 4 against the Washington Redskins or his heartbreaking cut could be shown on national television.

Cardale Jones, QB, Chargers

The Chargers may have acquired the cannon-armed quarterback from the Buffalo Bills via trade, but his roster spot isn't promised.

Kellen Clemens is currently entrenched as the team's backup quarterback, so Jones will either need to beat out the veteran, or hope the team elects to keep three passers. Through three games, Jones has completed just 48 percent of his passes and thrown two picks.

Damore'ea Stringfellow, WR, Dolphins

Stringfellow's preseason got off to a hot start when he took a pass 99 yards to the house in Week 1. He's recorded just three receptions for 31 yards since.

The Dolphins are loaded at receiver with Jarvis Landry, DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Jakeem Grant, and Leonte Carroo all but locked in. Head coach Adam Gase's admission that Landry won't be traded means Stringfellow will have to make more eye-catching plays to cement the sixth spot.

Chris Johnson, RB, Cardinals

CJ2K is not who he used to be. Johnson currently finds himself buried on the Cardinals' running back depth chart and could have played his way out of a job by fumbling twice and losing one in Week 3 of the preseason.

Johnson is of the belief that his standing with the team is safe, but head coach Bruce Arians might be thinking otherwise, as he recently stated there remains a position battle and "it's going to be a tough decision for that spot."

Xavier Grimble, TE, Steelers

The Steelers identified a glaring need at the tight end position and pulled the trigger on a trade for the 49ers' Vance McDonald on Tuesday. That's bad news for Grimble.

Grimble was hoping to climb the depth chart after playing in 13 games and catching two touchdown passes last season, but now finds himself behind Jesse James, David Johnson, and McDonald.

TJ Clemmings, G, Vikings

Clemmings' 2016 campaign was one to forget. As part of a Vikings offensive line that was torn to shreds last season, Clemmings played in 15 games and allowed 8.5 sacks.

The Vikings brought in reinforcements this offseason, signing Riley Reiff to play left tackle. They're also shifting Clemmings from tackle to guard. He currently finds himself in a backup role, but the team could be running out of patience with its 2015 draft pick.

Geno Smith, QB, Giants

Smith possesses the confidence of a quarterback who's job is not in question, but the reality is he still needs to earn his keep as the Giants' No. 2 QB.

Eli Manning's place atop the depth chart is unquestioned, and Davis Webb is the quarterback in waiting. That leaves Smith and Josh Johnson to battle it out for the backup role. The former Jet hasn't exactly dazzled in his first three preseason outings, completing 60 percent of his passes for 244 yards and two interceptions. Playing in Smith's favor are Johnson's even less impressive numbers (55 percent, 104 yards, 0 touchdowns/interceptions).

Both figure to see the field a ton on Thursday night.

Kony Ealy, DE, Jets

He flamed out in his short stint with the Patriots and will have but one opportunity to impress the Jets brass.

It's a precipitous fall from grace for a player who dominated on the biggest stage of all at Super Bowl 50. Yet in the season since, he has fallen out of favor with the Panthers and was deemed unfit for a Patriots roster bereft of pass-rushers.

Surely he can make one of the worst rosters in football, right?

Connor Cook, QB, Raiders

Remember when Cook started the Raiders' wild-card playoff game? Well, now he's competing with EJ Manuel instead of Matt McGloin to be Oakland's backup.

He's acquitted himself well enough to this point in the preseason, throwing for 254 yards and a touchdown, but he can carve out his place on the roster with another impressive showing Thursday night against the Seahawks' backups.

The Raiders hoped to solidify the position after watching starter Derek Carr go down with a broken leg late last season, and Cook can prove he's still the man for the job.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)

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