Previewing the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 4 Preseason Game vs. Colts

It's the final week of preseason football and the Cincinnati Bengals finish up on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Thursday, one day before the league deadline to trim rosters down to 53 men.

As such, this final game will be the last chance certain on-the-bubble players have to make a case as to why they are deserving of such a valuable spot. Starters should only be on the field for one series, which will give these marginal players ample time to impress.

Here are the three things to watch most closely as the Bengals take the preseason field for the final time this year.

Marvin Jones

While Armon Binns and Brandon Tate have been battling it out for the right to call the Bengals' No. 2 receiving job their own, rookie Marvin Jones has played the role of spoiler.

Though it's possible that the Bengals take a committee approach to this position (Andy Dalton certainly believes this could happen), it will likely have to include Jones and not fellow rookie Mohamed Sanu, if Jones' performance this preseason is any indication.

Through three games, Jones has been targeted seven times with five receptions, 111 yards and a touchdown. Though a lot of his work did not come with the No. 1 offense—nor will it on Thursday—these kinds of numbers are difficult to ignore.

Currently, Jones sits fifth on the Bengals' depth chart, but that's no indication of his talent level nor of him being on the roster bubble. He'll likely stand out as the team's best receiver against the Colts on Thursday.

Last Chance for Cedric Peerman, Dan Herron

If either Dan Herron or Cedric Peerman is going to stick on the 53-man roster, he'll need to look sharp against the Colts this week. With running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard locks to make the team, this is the last gasp for one of these remaining two backs.

So far this preseason, Peerman has had the edge on the rookie Herron, with 14 total rushes for 36 yards, two touchdowns and a fumble and one four-yard reception. Herron has had just 10 carries and 13 total yards, as well as two catches for 14 more yards.

Peerman, with his special-teams skills, has the best shot of making the team, but don't assume that is necessarily going to happen. Herron knows that he's fighting for his career and will do the best he can to make the most of the carries he will inevitably get on Thursday.

Center?

With starting center Kyle Cook battling a foot injury that has jeopardized his season, it will be rookie Trevor Robinson with the start against the Colts on Thursday. However, he probably won't play all four quarters, meaning the Bengals will likely shuffle around some of their offensive line depth—guys who perhaps have some experience at center—just to test their options.

Veteran Jeff Faine is reported to have met with the Bengals on Tuesday, but even if they do sign him, he wouldn't be able to play on Thursday. The team is also likely exploring other options—other free agents, or ones who are about to hit the waiver wire—but time is quickly running out.

With a rookie center to at least start the game, it will be far harder for Herron and Peerman, the two backs fighting for one final spot, to be successful. But at least the Bengals will get a closer look at Robinson, who now may be guaranteed a roster spot of his own depending on what happens with Cook.

This is a young offensive line that has dealt with a season-ending injury to guard Travelle Wharton as well as getting rookie guard Kevin Zeitler up to speed; it will be interesting to see what this offensive line looks like as they try to respond to these issues.

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