Coaches will tell you privately they virtually have their 53-man roster picked before the final preseason game. Yet there is always that chance at a competitive position that a run here, a block there or a tackle on special teams might sway a selection in the final run-up to the regular season.
That is what Terrell Watson, Brian Allen and others hope to do Thursday night in Carolina, where many of the starters will rest and borderline roster players get a chance to make their final pitches.
Here’s a look at two of them, plus the continuing growth and improvement of Landry Jones, who likely will start at quarterback against the Panthers:
• Watson competed all preseason with two others for the No.