LOCK: Haloti Ngata, Chris Canty, Brandon Williams, DeAngelo Tyson, Timmy Jernigan
BUBBLE: none
LONG SHOT: A.J. Pataiali’i, Derrick Hopkins, Levi Brown, Jamie Meder
INJURED: Terrence Cody (could be placed on the reserve physically unable to perform list), Brent Urban (will be placed on season-ending injured reserve), Kapron Lewis-Moore (will be placed on season-ending injured reserve)
Skinny: Injuries have taken their toll on the depth of this unit, but the use of Pernell McPhee as a down lineman and the strong play of Williams and Jernigan quell concerns. Pataiali’i and Hopkins appear to be decent possibilities for the practice squad, but neither has shown enough to warrant serious consideration for a roster spot. A late veteran addition is still a possibility here.
LINEBACKERS (14)
LOCK: Daryl Smith, C.J. Mosley, Elvis Dumervil, Courtney Upshaw, Terrell Suggs, Arthur Brown, Pernell McPhee
BUBBLE: Albert McClellan, Josh Bynes, John Simon
LONG SHOT: Zachary Orr, Nick DiMarco, D.J. Roberts, Austin Spitler
Skinny: Of the three players listed on the bubble, Simon might be the most vulnerable, but the 2013 fourth-round pick is probably safe due to being a recent high draft pick. McClellan and Bynes have been core special-teams players over the last couple seasons and provide deep depth at the inside linebacker position, giving them both nods.
CORNERBACKS (9)
LOCK: Lardarius Webb, Jimmy Smith, Chykie Brown, Asa Jackson
BUBBLE: Dominique Franks, Tramain Jacobs
LONG SHOT: Sammy Seamster, Deji Olatoye, Marrio Norman
Skinny: This position remains a serious concern with injuries to the top three on the depth chart, which could lead to the undrafted rookie Jacobs making the 53-man roster to begin the year. Franks has risen his level of play since the start of the summer and appears in decent shape to grab a spot, at least until Webb, Smith, and Jackson all show they’re healthy.
SAFETIES (8)
LOCK: Matt Elam, Darian Stewart, Terrence Brooks, Jeromy Miles
BUBBLE: Brynden Trawick, Anthony Levine
LONG SHOT: Omar Brown
SUSPENDED: Will Hill (will be suspended for the first six games of the regular season)
Skinny: It was an up-and-down performance, but Levine seeing extended time at the cornerback position only helped his roster standing in addition to his significant role on special teams. Trawick is a key special-teams contributor, but Brown’s chances are not looking good after he didn’t play a single defensive snap and only took part in two special-teams plays on Saturday.
SPECIALISTS (4)
LOCK: Sam Koch, Morgan Cox, Justin Tucker
BUBBLE: none
LONG SHOT: Richie Leone
Skinny: As was the case last week, there’s nothing to really discuss with this group as Leone is not at all a threat to Koch’s roster spot as the punter.
