New York Giants' Roster Bubble: Who needs a big game Sunday?

There are quite a few roster positions up for grabs with the New York Giants as the 2013 NFL season approaches. Who are some of the players who need to play well in Sunday night's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts? We've been looking at players on the roster bubble throughout the week. Now, let's look even closer.

Offense

Here are five offensive players who need good showings on Sunday night.

Da'Rel Scott -- The third-year running back lost ground in the preseason opener vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday to rookie seventh-round pick Michael Cox in the competition to become the third running back. Scott carried 10 times for only 12 yards. Cox had runs of 11 and 12 yards during the game, while Scott left some opportunities on the table. Scott needs to make some plays soon or his time with the Giants could be running out.

Ryan Torain -- The veteran running back did not play vs. the Steelers. He needs to show something to be considered a legitimate contender for that same third running back slot.

Ramses Barden -- If the Giants keep only five wide receivers it would seem Barden would be the odd man out behind Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, Louis Murphy and Jerrel Jernigan. The Giants are likely to keep three quarterbacks and, while they usually keep six wide receivers, will have to sacrifice somewhere on the roster to do it. Barden has never been much help on special teams and his spot on the roster could well be in jeopardy.

David Carr -- Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride says there is a "legitimate competition" between Carr and Curtis Painter for the backup quarterback job that has belonged to Carr four of the past five seasons. From where I sit Carr remains the prohibitive favorite, and Sunday night is his chance to prove it. Carr will play around 25 snaps and Painter will not play this week. Those roles will be reversed in the third preseason game, against the New York Jets. A solid game from Carr might be enough to give him a stranglehold on the job.

Eric Herman -- The rookie offensive guard, a seventh-round pick, had a rough time against the Steelers. He allowed a pair of quarterback sacks in only 17 snaps, and had a -3.2 Pro Football Focus grade. With Justin Pugh, James Brewer, Brandon Mosley, Jim Cordle and Selvish Capers all likely ahead of him in the pecking order for backup roles on the offensive line, Herman has to improve. In a hurry.

Defense

Here are five defensive players who need solid performances Sunday night.

Marvin Austin -- Austin, as we indicated earlier in the week, is in a fight for his job in a crowded, experienced group of defensive tackles. He needs a big game to begin the erase the perception that he is, and will remain, a bust.

Kyle Bosworth -- Bosworth is an excellent special teams player, but right now it's tough to see where he fits on defense and, consequently, the 53-man roster. He seems like the seventh linebacker on a team that may only need to keep six. If he's going to change that impression he needs to start doing it on Sunday night.

Will Hill -- The safety faces a four-game suspension at the beginning of the season for drug use. With Antrel Rolle, Stevie Brown, Ryan Mundy, Tyler Sash and Cooper Taylor at safety, and a crowd of players at cornerback, you begin to wonder if the Giants will keep the talented but troubled young man around.

Trumaine McBride/Charles James/Terrence Frederick -- I'm cheating here, but it seems like these three corners might all be competing for one roster spot. McBride might have jumped in front in the first preseason game, but the coaching staff likes James, an undrafted free agent, and Frederick was on the active roster for the final game in 2012. Which guy will separate himself?

Adewale Ojomo/Adrian Tracy/Justin Trattou -- Cheating again. All three of these defensive ends have been on the Giants' roster at one time or another, with Tracy being the most experienced. Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Mathias Kiwanuka and Damontre Moore will be the first four defensive ends, and there may only be room for one more. As with McBride/James/Frederick at corner, which of these talented young players will separate himself?