15 NFL Players on Roster Life Support in Preseason Week 4

As the NFL preseason approaches its final week, each team will have important roster decisions to make when it makes cuts on Monday. On Sunday, two noble veterans—Billy Cundiff and Terrell Owens—were released a day before the deadline.

What notable veterans will be cut by Monday's deadline?

Here are 15 potential players on roster life support heading into Week 4 of the preseason.

15. Anthony Allen: RB Baltimore Ravens

When Ricky Williams decided to officially retire from the NFL, the Baltimore Ravens were left searching for answers at the running back position.

Second-year running back Anthony Allen was viewed highly within the organization and was expected to be the favorite for the second spot on the depth chart, ahead of rookie Bernard Pierce.

However, the former seventh-round pick has been a disappointment in camp and has quickly fallen down the depth chart.

He is entering dangerous territory heading into the Monday deadline.

14. Trent Edwards: QB Philadelphia Eagles

Trent Edwards has seen his NFL career take a drastic turn for the worse since losing his starting position with the Buffalo Bills a few years back.

He is looking at another scenario where he could be beat out by rookie quarterback Nick Foles.

Foles has been one of the pleasant surprises during the preseason and appears to be in a good position to lead this team if Michael Vick faces more injuries in 2012.

Clearly, the Eagles will have to decide whether to keep three quarterbacks right now or to part ways with Edwards.

13. Chaz Schilens: WR New York Jets

The New York Jets have plenty of concerns about their anemic offense, one that doesn't have much depth at the wide receiver position.

As the Jets continue to look for answers, Chaz Schilens has not provided any reason for optimism heading into the season.

Schilens has continued to be sidelined during the preseason due to an ankle injury, which does not bode well for his chances to make the roster.

As the Jets look for receivers who can make an impact, an average wide receiver with ankle problems is not a solution to one of the many problems on this team.

12. Steve Slaton: RB Miami Dolphins

Steve Slaton has not emerged as a quality running back on an NFL roster after a notable career at West Virginia.

However, injuries have certainly held back his development as an NFL runner, and he now finds himself fighting for a roster spot with the Miami Dolphins.

It is far from a guarantee, especially with the emergence of Lamar Miller in Joe Philbin's offense.

Slaton appears to be a candidate primed for another release from an NFL team.

11. Jordan Shipley: WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It has to be nerve-racking for Jordan Shipley to survive the first wave of cuts. After being waived by the Cincinnati Bengals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasted no time giving the former Texas Longhorn a shot.

However, has Shipley shown the Buccaneers enough in one week to decide if it's worth keeping him around at least until Friday?

With only an appearance in one game, Shipley will be among the list of players who could potentially be given the pink slip by Greg Schiano.

10. Adam Jones: CB Cincinnati Bengals

Adam Jones continues to find opportunities to play in the NFL despite his questionable past and his lack of focus on football in recent years.

However, he has avoided trouble while with the Cincinnati Bengals and played an important role in the Bengals secondary.

His time in a Bengals uniform, though, could be nearing the end. Jones is fighting for a roster spot on a Bengals secondary that added plenty of youth, most notably Dre Kirkpatrick.

Despite the injuries within the secondary, it may not be enough for Jones to keep his roster spot past Monday.

9. Jim Leonhard: S Denver Broncos

Jim Leonhard does not have a guaranteed roster spot heading into Monday, and it's difficult to be optimistic for the former Jets safety.

After two leg injuries ended Leonhard's career with the Jets, he has been limited during his short tenure with the Denver Broncos.

For a player on the roster bubble, missing the crucial third preseason game due to injury is usually not a good sign.

There's no reason to believe that Leonhard has proven to the Broncos that he is worthy of a roster spot right now.

8. Kyle Williams: WR San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Williams cost the San Francisco 49ers a chance at appearing in the Super Bowl after his muffed punt return led to the eventual New York Giants victory.

That could be the last memory 49ers fans have of Williams, who is in a very competitive battle for a roster spot.

The 49ers did not shy away from adding receivers Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and A.J. Jenkins, who are all now above Williams on the depth chart.

His starting position on special teams is also in jeopardy, especially with rookie LaMichael James expected to add more explosiveness in the return game.

Williams is clearly not a guarantee to have a roster spot after tomorrow.

7. Graham Harrell: QB Green Bay Packers

Graham Harrell enters the Monday deadline with a little more confidence after no acquisition was made to add a backup quarterback.

However, he hasn't impressed the Green Bay Packers enough to guarantee him a roster spot entering the final week of the preseason.

Harrell is out to prove that he can be more than a system quarterback, but it's hard to believe he'll find much success in comparison to his time at Texas Tech.

6. David Garrard: QB Miami Dolphins

David Garrard lost the opportunity to become the starting quarterback after undergoing surgery that will sideline him for a month.

The question that remains is whether the Miami Dolphins will keep Garrard on the roster.

With Ryan Tannehill named the official starter, Matt Moore could be a potential trade chip for teams in need of a backup quarterback.

However, Moore is a valuable backup quarterback who took charge of this Dolphins team last season.

Garrard's job is far from secure heading into the deadline.

5. Roscoe Parrish: WR San Diego Chargers

After quite a long career with the Buffalo Bills, Roscoe Parrish finds himself fighting for a roster spot with a San Diego Chargers offense looking for playmakers to replace Vincent Jackson.

When Vincent Brown went down with an injury last weekend, all signs pointed to Parrish earning a roster spot by default.

However, Parrish hasn't proven to be anything more than an aging receiver who has lost his speed and likely won't make an impact on the Chargers if he makes the roster.

4. Brady Quinn: QB Kansas City Chiefs

After becoming the odd man out with the Denver Broncos, Brady Quinn found himself joining the coach who convinced management to draft him in Cleveland.

Romeo Crennel officially took the reins of leading this organization back to the postseason. With the injury questions surrounding Matt Cassel, it was an ideal situation for Quinn to become the No. 2 quarterback on the roster.

However, Ricky Stanzi has performed very well in preseason and is in line to become the No. 2 starter. 

With Quinn's future in doubt with the Chiefs, would he have any other options if Crennel decides to move in another direction?

3. Anthony Dixon: RB San Francisco 49ers

Anthony Dixon received his fair share of opportunities last season when Frank Gore battled injuries on a consistent basis.

Evidently, the San Francisco 49ers were not too impressed with Dixon's capability to be a quality backup. As a result, they signed veteran running back Brandon Jacobs and drafted LaMichael James. In fact, Kendall Hunter has even emerged as the likely No. 2 back behind Gore.

It could be a very difficult day for Dixon if Jim Harbaugh cuts the Mississippi State product.

2. James Starks: RB Green Bay Packers

Two years ago, James Starks emerged as that dynamic running back that ultimately played a role in the Packers' championship run.

However, with the regular season less than two weeks away, Starks could be looking for a new home by the end of this week.

The signing of Cedric Benson showed the writing on the wall: Starks cannot be relied on consistently as the top running back in this system.

His mounting injuries over the last year will put Mike McCarthy in a tough situation heading toward the deadline.

1. Vince Young: QB Buffalo Bills

Vince Young's career with the Buffalo Bills appears to be coming to an abrupt end.

In trading for Tarvaris Jackson on Sunday, the Bills showed they don't have confidence in Young, a former first-round pick who has not been an effective quarterback in this league.

The journey will continue for the former college standout from the University of Texas.

Matt Miselis is an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.