#ProTops Primer: NFL Preseason Week Four

It’s the final tune up around the NFL before the season and, as is tradition, not very many mainstays across the league will be starting…

It’s the final tune up around the NFL before the season and, as is tradition, not very many mainstays across the league will be starting. Which, oddly enough, bodes well for most of our ProTops, who are trying to fight their way onto a 53-man roster or a practice squad spot.

This weekend, all roster cuts are made at once, so we will see a ton of news one way or the other very rapidly in succession. Rosters will be trimmed from 90 players to 53.

With that said, lets preview this week’s slate.

Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Cincinnati Bengals, Thurs. at 6:30 p.m.)

Doyle had a quiet performance in the Colts preseason week three win against the Steelers, being targeted just three times and hauling in one catch for nine yards.

He is the undisputed number one tight for the Colts. Unfortunately, his production will be tied to Andrew Luck’s health. If Luck doesn’t come back from a shoulder injury, look for Doyle’s regular season numbers to be down with Scott Tolzien or Stephen Morris still competing to play in Luck’s stead. While mainstays usually don’t play much, Doyle might be an exception this week, as Indy might see if he can build a rapport with either back-up quarterback.

Tyler Higbee and Omarius Bryant, Los Angeles Rams (at Green Bay Packers, Thurs. at 6 p.m.)

Higbee had another poor showing in the Rams week three preseason game against the now cross-town Chargers. He had zero catches on two targets. Higbee is still in line to start but he has rookie — second round pick Gerald Everett — nipping at his heels. Against the Packers, I’d expect both to split time to once again see if a leader emerges. Hopefully Higbee’s experience pushes him over the top and he takes advantage of his starting window in Los Angeles.

Bryant once again failed to register any statistics last week. With the new cut rules, it’s kind of hard to really know where he stands in the Rams pecking order. There is very little information about Bryant online, lending me to think he’s probably competing for a practice squad spot at best. Turf Show Times, the Rams SB Nation site, did have Bryant on the projected cut list in their final roster projections . He’ll get one last chance to prove his worth against the Packers and hopefully make a lasting impression for the Rams or another team.

Brandon Doughty, Miami Dolphins (at Minnesota Vikings, Thurs. at 7 p.m.)

Doughty completed 7 of 12 pass attempts for 69 yards with a touchdown and interception in the Dolphins preseason game versus the Eagles last week. He had good and bad moments in the game, but most notably was definitely his touchdown throw to Jakeem Grant.

As far as what might happen to Doughty, one Dolphins reporter recently wrote about the quarterback situation and said that he will most likely end up on the practice squad once again, with Cutler being QB1 and Matt Moore remaining QB2 on the active roster. If one of them got injured, Doughty could be activated to the 53 man roster. The Dolphins have one last preseason game versus the Vikings, so hopefully Doughty can show out and have a solid game.

Steve Donatell, Seattle Seahawks (at Oakland Raiders, Thurs. at 9 p.m.)

Donatell didn’t record any stats in the Seahawks game versus the Chiefs and is more than likely going to be headed to the practice squad, if he doesn’t get outright cut. The tight end position is one the Seahawks have that is pretty deep with talent so the likelihood of Donatell making the 53-man roster is highly unlikely at this point.

Darrell Williams, Jr. and Prince Charles Iworah, San Francisco 49ers (vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Thurs. at 9 p.m.)

The 49ers dropped a close 31–32 game on the road to the Minnesota Vikings last week, a game in which CB Prince Charles Iworah did not participate in due to injury. It is not known at this time when he will return.

Darrell Williams and the 49er offensive line allowed only two sacks, and improved their rushing stats from the last game by allowing 91 rushing yards on 26 attempts.

While PCI is probably a lock to remain with the 9ers in some capacity, it’s still up in the air on whether or not Williams will hang around. Only time will tell, but good vibes sent his way wouldn’t hurt either.

Taywan Taylor and Tyler Ferguson, Tennessee Titans (at Kansas City Chiefs, Thurs. at 7:30 p.m.)

The Titans continued using Taylor as a man of many trades last week against Chicago, as he lined up in the backfield and as a reciever. As a rusher, Taylor garnered 12 yards on three touches and, while he only made one catch on the day, Twitter lost their mind over it.

Not only do I fully expect Taywan to make the Titans’ 53-man squad, with ease, I expect him to become a mainstay and impact player in the receiving corps sooner rather than later.

I wish I had just as optimistic about Tyler Ferguson, but I don’t. He’s completed just one pass, for four yards, and hasn’t appeared since the first game. As soon as Ferguson signed with the Titans, you knew he wouldn’t be the immediate starter, but he isn’t getting much of a look at all. A practice squad spot is the best play for him.

What game will you have your eye on this weekend? Who would you like to see have an explosive game? Do you have roster thoughts on who might make a 53-man squad? Let us know in a comment below, via Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.