5 Veterans Who Are Playing Themselves out of a Job This NFL Preseason

The NFL preseason does not make or break a team's playoff chances, but closely watching players' performances in these exhibition games can alter where they land on a team's depth chart come kickoff weekend. 

There are always a handful of late-round or undrafted journeymen who make a splash with a punt return touchdown or a big statistical game.

On the flip side, we usually see a crop of veteran players that lose grip on the starting spot everyone penciled them into, and sometimes can even play themselves right off their team's roster.

Who are those players so far in the 2011 preseason?

We still have two weeks to go, but it's never to early to venture some guesses.

Let's take a look...

Anthony Gonzalez: Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts are heading into the start of this season with more uncertainty than ever before. 

While all eyes are on Peyton Manning's neck situation, wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and his injury history make him one veteran that could be kept off the Colts final roster. 

He has played in three games since the beginning of the 2009 season and has accumulated no stats through the team's first two preseason games. 

Blair White proved last season he can be productive out of the slot and Austin Collie returned to practice on Monday.

If the former Ohio State Buckeye standout can't get on the field it is very possible he'll be cut in early September. 

Albert Haynesworth: New England Patriots

This may come as a shock, but Albert Haynesworth is not a lock for the New England Patriots 53-man roster. 

Yes, he passed his conditioning test this offseason but he was held out of the last few practices before the Patriots began their preseason. 

He has yet to see the field in either of New England's first two exhibition games, and with an already sound defensive front that now features Shaun Ellis, Haynesworth is far from being safe. 

If he doesn't get on the field in the team's final two contests I wouldn't be surprised to see him cut by Bill Belichick and his coaching staff. 

Derrick Ward: Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have their feature back in Arian Foster, who led the NFL in rushing yards last season. 

However, as we've seen over the last few seasons, NFL teams tend to utilize a stable group of backs to lighten the load for each guy and to give the defense a change of running styles.

Derrick Ward was initially penciled in as the backup to Foster, but since he only had two carries for five yards in Week 1 of the preseason against the Jets, and was on the sidelines against the Saints due to a concussion, the second-string running back spot is wide open.

Ben Tate rushed for 95 yards and scored against New Orleans, and Chris Ogbonnaya was effective against the Jets in the team's exhibition opener.

Ward is expected to return this week, but if he struggles he may be looking for a job come early September.  

Justin Gage: Tennessee Titans

The Titans surely don't have the scariest receiving corp in the NFL and Justin Gage was an integral part of their impressive 2009 season, but right now, he's not safe to make the final roster. 

Gage's cap number is around $3 million and I'm not sure he's worth it if only used as a situational receiver.

Lavelle Hawkins, Damien Wilkins and 2010 Pro Bowl returner Marc Mariani should all be more involved in the offense behind the more explosive Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.

Gage isn't a lock to be cut, but must make strides in the team's last two preseason games.  

Chicago Bears: Chester Taylor

A member of the Chicago Bears 2010 free-agent acquisitions along with game-changer Julius Peppers, running back Chester Taylor may be on the outside looking in when the team trims it's roster to 53 players. 

Marion Barber is definitely an upgrade between the tackles and is a viable option as Matt Forte's primary backup. 

Taylor underwhelmed in 2010 after the Bears paid him $7 million, and they really like what they've seen out of Khalil Bell as the team's scat back and as a special teamer. 

I don't see how Chester Taylor is a Chicago Bear in a few weeks.