Here’s my take of who should play and who shouldn’t:
QB: I’d give both QB’s two drives. There is some risk there, but there isn’t a clear cut starter and some extra work could be good.
RB: Hightower shouldn’t play at all. Let’s see what Torain and Royster can do. Helu I’d give a little bit of work, but probably just a handful of plays.
FB: I’d like to see Williams get the primary work load to see if he can be a back up FB
WR: I don’t think Moss, Gaffney or Armstrong should play a single snap. Not so much because of injury concern, but more so to give some fair reps to Stallworth, Banks, Paul, Hankerson, Austin and Robinson. I’d start Hankerson and Stallworth, with Austin and Paul working in as well early on. Then i’d give the other guys some chances in the 2nd half.
TE: Given the uncertainty with Cooley, I’d say not to play Davis much at all.
OL: Honestly everyone needs some work, but I’d probably only give the starters one series, maybe two. Lets give Willie Smith, Hurt and Cook a lot of work to see if they deserve roster or PS spots.
DL: Maybe a series or two for the starters, after that we need to see if anyone will emerge for the final 3 spots on the roster (I think Cofield, Bowen, Carriker, and Bryant have spots locked up)
LB: Yes there is some injury risk, but I’d have Kerrigan play at least a quarter. McIntosh as well should play a little bit. Both Orakpo and Fletcher should be held out. I am interested in seeing what Gibson, Jackson and White do outside, and Alexander (all over the field), Fox, Blades and Riley do inside.
CB: I’d really limit the corners and maybe hold them out all together. We are already without Buchanon for the first 4 games so we can’t afford even a minor injury to a starting corner. I’d give Barnes some work, but primarily I’d look at Thompson and Jones who are battling for that 5th corner job.
S: Maybe give Atogwe a series, but after that lets look at the backups. I especially want to see a lot of Gomes and Anderson Russell.
Return duties: Banks should get the first couple of returns, but I’d like to continue to see Austin and Paul
