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In the fourth and final preseason game, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has told the masses that starters will be nailed to the bench on Thursday night against the Green Bay Packers.
With that known, we will see players who are on the roster bubble for an extended period of time, battling it out to the wire for a precious few spots. Let's take a gander at some of the most intriguing story lines.
1. Kicker, kicker
Either Ryan Succop or Cairo Santos is going to make the final roster, with a small possibility that both make the grade. To their credit, both have been perfect in the preseason, so a miss could be the deciding factor on Thursday. All things equal, does general manager John Dorsey go with the veteran who has earned stripes or the cheaper, younger player?
2. Which receiver steps up?
Reid has already talked about Frankie Hammond Jr. possibly taking the place of Dwayne Bowe come Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. However, who are the third and fourth guys? Does Junior Hemingway, who has been hurt, get action and prove he is ready to roll? How about Albert Wilson, who looked so good early but has been fighting injuries since? Maybe a player like Mark Harrison has a breakout game that forces Reid to notice him.
3. The offensive line
Mike McGlynn was brought into the fold on Wednesday so he may not play but he could be a wild card with this line. Nobody will confuse McGlynn with Will Shields, but can he provide some veteran stability within the line, or at least give the Chiefs somebody to push Ricky Henry and Jeff Linkenbach? Ryan Harris also has a chance to showcase himself, perhaps making the coaching staff reconsider moving Jeff Allen to right tackle.
4. Quarterback battle
Chase Daniel is going to receive plenty of reps, followed by Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray. Does somebody play themselves off of the roster with an awful performance, or conversely lock up a spot with the night of their lives? Kansas City could keep all four quarterbacks, but it is a rarity in the NFL. This position is completely up in the air behind Alex Smith, and could be a shocker come the final cuts.
5. Are the Chiefs still figuring out corner?
All preseason, the trio of Marcus Cooper, Ron Parker and Sean Smith have been called co-starters with a rotation allowing for equal reps. Do any of the three corners play tonight?