8 NFC East Bubble Players Who Won't Make the Cut

By 9 p.m. Friday night, all 32 teams in the NFL must have their rosters trimmed down to 53 men. 

So for those fortunate enough to be considered a bubble player entering the fourth week of the season, they have just four days to decide their fate.

One game to prove they are worthy of a valuable roster spot on an NFL team. 

Or else it is back to the drawing board. Back to more vigorous training and nonstop commitment to reaching the ultimate level. 

Position battles are key. The best football player doesn't always make the cut when a team has six quality wide receivers and a lack of depth at defensive end. 

But regardless, the competition is tight, the decisions will be tough and men will shed tears. 

Here are a handful of names who could be disappointed come Friday.

Anthony Armstrong

Anthony Armstrong once figured to be the next legitimate deep threat in Washington. Now, less than two weeks from the 2012 season opener, the Redskins wideout is expected to be cut from the roster entirely. 

Perhaps because of one play. One play he wasn't even involved in. 

One week ago, rumors around D.C. had Brandon Banks on the next bus out of town. The undrafted product out of Kansas State was informed by coach Mike Shanahan at the beginning of training camp that he would need to make the squad by catching balls, not returning them. 

Three catches and 20 yards later, the lightest player in the NFL was receiving criticism from all across town. Doubts about his size (5'7", 155 lbs) and route-running abilities turned Banks from a fan favorite to a lost cause. 

And then he returned a punt 91 yards to the house. 

Now, reports from the Washington Post have Banks securing the final wide receiver spot, despite Shanahan's previous remarks.

Armstrong's shoulder injury sidelined him for the past two weeks, and potentially cost him a chance at a job. His inability to get on the field has allowed players like Banks and Dezmon Briscoe to step up and claim the final roster spots.

And unfortunately for Armstrong, there isn't much he can do about it. He may find a job elsewhere given his blinding speed, but don't expect to see Armstrong suiting up in the Burgundy and Gold anytime in Week 1.  

Terrence Austin

The Redskins' 2010 seventh-round draft pick Terrence Austin also figures to be a victim of Brandon Banks' one-time-wonder when cuts are made this upcoming Friday. 

But unlike teammate Anthony Armstrong, he has had the chance to impress. 

After playing on the practice team his rookie season, the 23-year-old out of UCLA made Washington's roster on his second attempt last year. Unfortunately for Austin, he was unable to take advantage of the opportunity. 

The California native recorded just 12 catches in 13 games in 2011. And his performance thus far in 2012 has done little to help his chances. 

Three catches for 42 yards simply isn't going to get the job done when guys like Dezmon Briscoe are scoring touchdowns. 

Even rookie Aldrick Robinson (eight catches, 132 yards and a score) has outperformed Austin to this point. And though he isn't expected to make the 53-man roster either (he is still eligible for the practice squad), Robinson has shown more promising signs than many of his competitors. 

As it stands, the Redskins are unlikely to take more than six wideouts into Week 1. So even if Shanahan sticks to his guns on Banks, Austin would still have to perform sensationally during the final week to surpass both Armstrong and Robinson for the final spot. 

Sorry Terrence, it's just not in the cards. 

Mike Kafka

The surprisingly strong performance of rookie quarterback Nick Foles this preseason has a veteran teammate balancing on the bubble of the 53-man roster. 

Mike Kafka entered this season as the presumed backup to Michael Vick. And now, he may be looking for work. 

The third-year quarterback from Northwestern fractured a bone in his non-throwing hand earlier this month, and though he has finally been cleared to take snaps from under center, it might be too little too late for Kafka. 

While Kafka was forced to watch from the sideline, Foles took advantage of the added reps against the Patriots and Browns. Combined in the two games, the former University of Arizona QB went 30 of 47 for 363 yards and four touchdowns. 

Veteran Trent Edwards was originally thought to be the odd man out after spending the entirety of the 2011 season out of the NFL. But two years removed from his release by the Buffalo Bills, Edwards also took advantage of Kafka's absence in limited action this preseason. 

Thus far, Edwards is 20 of 28 for 186 yards and a touchdown. Without a single interception, it might be tough for the Eagles to let the experienced Edwards walk. 

Especially considering they haven't seen anything yet from Kafka. 

Jaiquawn Jarrett

Recent developments in the Eagles' secondary have proved troubling for the 2011 second-round draft pick out of Temple. Jaiquawn Jarrett was originally projected to make Philadelphia's 53-man roster, but after recent changes, he is now on the verge of busting the bubble. 

The Eagles cut CB Cliff Harris Sunday morning in a move few saw coming. And after head coach Andy Reid announced that Joselio Hanson will be the first-team nickel CB, Jarrett's stock plummeted. 

The decision to name Hanson to the first-team nickel package is one that impacts bubble players at both secondary positions. Because Hanson's inability to play the outside means that Philly will likely have to carry six cornerbacks into the regular season. 

For CB Brandon Hughes, the news of Harris' departure and Hanson's position is promising. He figures to slot into the sixth cornerback spot, virtually knocking Jarrett from the roster. 

Though it isn't impossible, I can't see the Eagles taking 10 defensive backs into Week 1. 

So look for Brandon Hughes to be suited up next Sunday, not Jaiquawn Jarrett.

Mana Silva

Offseason upgrades in the secondary for Dallas have proven fortuitous for some, and fateful for others. 

For second-year safety Mana Silva, it's the latter. 

Depth at the defensive back position for the Cowboys means that they probably won't have room for the 23-year-old Hawaii native. And despite making some impressive plays in limited preseason action, chances are Silva will be looking for a job in the coming months. 

A late-season injury to Barry Church gave Silva playing time in Dallas' final two games last year. But after recording just four tackles in both contests combined, a place on special teams likely stands as Silva's only shot at making the roster.

And he knows it.

At 6'1", 214 lbs, the safety out of Hawaii doesn't possess the raw physical talent or athleticism that is going to jump out at a coaching staff. But his ability to rely on his instincts have allowed him the opportunity to make an NFL team. 

Right now, Silva remains on the outside looking in at Cowboys training camp. Look for the second-year player to be in a different uniform in 2013. 

Andrew Szczerba

The 6'6" tight end from Penn State didn't hear his name called during the 2012 draft. But when Andrew Szczerba signed on with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent, he had hopes of sticking around. 

Unfortunately for Szczerba, that doesn't look to be the case. 

He is currently slotted as the fourth option at his position entering the final week of the preseason. And unless Jason Witten's lacerated spleen takes a wild twist, it could be Szczerba's last in a Cowboys uniform. 

Both John Phillips and James Hanna rank behind Witten, but before Szczerba on the depth chart. And while he has proved to be a fantastic blocker even at the NFL level, he hasn't demonstrated enough versatility or offensive ability to warrant a roster spot. 

Of course teams can always use a solid blocking special teams contributor. But unfortunately for Szczerba, Dallas already has a few of those. 

Chances are that the Cowboys will try and hold onto him for the practice squad in 2012. But once, Szczerba receives the bad news, who knows where he will end up.

Da'Rel Scott

Da'Rel Scott turned heads at the scouting combine in Indianapolis last year when he posted the fastest time for a running back—4.34 seconds. 

Now, the second-year player from Maryland is fighting for a job. 

A combination of injuries and depth for the Giants at the running back position could leave last year's backup off the roster entirely in 2012.

Scott's inability to practice because of an injured leg has held him back for much of this preseason, but his lack of production in limited action certainly hasn't helped. He was the last of the running backs to make an appearance in New York's second preseason game, when he rushed three times for just seven yards. 

With Ahmad Bradshaw, DJ Ware and David Wilson clearly ahead of him, Scott's only chance for a roster spot may rest in special teams.

It is highly unlikely the G-men will take a fourth running back into the regular season, and while his punt block in Game 3 of the preseason is a plus, Scott hasn't done enough to convince Coughlin he is worthy of a permanent place on the 53-man list. 

Bruce Johnson

Prince Amukamara's recent ankle sprain may be Bruce Johnson's one and only shot at making the 53-man roster.

Because the cornerback's play during this preseason certainly hasn't warranted it. 

The four-year veteran, who missed all last year with an Achilles injury, replaced Amukamara in the Giants' preseason game against Chicago.

And it didn't take long to notice the difference. 

Johnson was beat by Brandon Marshall for a touchdown early in the contest, and gave way to Michael Coe before too long. Tom Coughlin appeared impressed with Coe's physical play at the line, and the coach's approval could be a seal of fate for Johnson. 

With New York's starter sidelined for three to six weeks, it is possible that he finds himself on the roster momentarily. But after an overall disappointing performance thus far in 2012, don't expect Bruce Johnson to be wearing Giant Blue for long.