It's only a matter of days until the NFL's rosters have to be trimmed to 53.
There usually has been a surprise or two each year for the Indianapolis Colts. But that likely won't be the case this year.
Here is my final Colts' 53-man roster projection:
Quarterbacks (2): Andrew Luck, Matt Hasselbeck (cut: Bryan Bennett)
Note: Bennett has not helped his case in being on the practice squad by going 5-of-24 for 52 yards and no touchdowns in the preseason.
Running backs (3): Frank Gore, Daniel "Boom" Herron, Josh Robinson (cut: Vick Ballard, Abou Toure, Tyler Varga, Zurlon Tipton)
Note: Ballard couldn’t stay healthy long enough in the preseason to prove he could be the player who rushed for 844 yards in 2013.
Tight ends (3): Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener, Jack Doyle (cut: Erik Swoope, Sean McGrath)
Note: Allen and Fleener are obviously locks, and there is a significant gap between Doyle and everybody else to be the third tight end.
Wide receiver (5): T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Donte Moncrief, Duron Carter, Phillip Dorsett (cut: Quan Bray, Vincent Brown , Griff Whalen)
Note: There is too big of a drop-off from the fifth receiver to the sixth for the Colts to carry six at that position.
Offensive linemen (10): Anthony Castonzo, Jack Mewhort, Khaled Holmes, Jonotthan Harrison, Todd Herremans, Lance Louis, Hugh Thornton, Joe Reitz, David Arkin, Denzelle Good (cut: Kitt O'Brien, Ulrick John)
Note: Depth at guard will be questioned until Thornton returns from his knee injury.
Defensive linemen (7): Kendall Langford, Arthur Jones, Josh Chapman, Montori Hughes, Zach Kerr, David Parry, Henry Anderson (cut: Earl Okine, Kelcy Quarles)
Note: Jones' ankle injury is a significant blow to the defensive line. The group could change depending on how long Jones is out.
Linebackers (10): Trent Cole, Erik Walden, Robert Mathis, Bjoern Werner, Jonathan Newsome, D'Qwell Jackson, Jerrell Freeman, Nate Irving, Cam Johnson, Amarlo Herrera (cut: Henoc Muamba, Daniel Adongo, Carlos Fields, Junior Sylvestre)
Note: Herrera, the sixth-round pick out of Georgia, has been impressive in the preseason. He’s tied for the team lead in tackles with 14.
Cornerbacks (6): Greg Toler, Vontae Davis, Darius Butler, D'Joun Smith, Jalil Brown, Sheldon Price (cut: Chance Casey, Raymon Taylor, Eric Patterson)
Note: Toler's injured neck has the Colts keeping six cornerbacks, with Price getting the final spot. Smith, the rookie, didn’t have an impressive preseason. Brown is ahead of him on the depth chart.
Safeties (4): Mike Adams, Dwight Lowery, Clayton Geathers, Colt Anderson (cut: Dewey McDonald, Winston Guy)
Note: Anderson makes the roster because of his special teams skills.
Special teams (3): Adam Vinatieri, Pat McAfee, Matt Overton
Note: There was never any question about these three spots.