“It?s tough,” said rookie running back P.J. Daniels. “It?s a business, but they keep who they think is important or who is able to perform. So you just have to continue to grind it out. Nothing comes free.”

Older players, like tight end Todd Heap, said this week?s final preseason game against the Washington Redskins is important for players on the bubble.

“Sometimes, you?ve got to make a big play in a game, and this next game is a big opportunity,” Heap said.

“They?re going to get a lot of opportunities. You?ve got to do something to catch the coaches? eyes, whether it?s in practice or in a game situation.”

Head coach Brian Billick said he will continue his player evaluations this week against the Redskins.

“We?ll get done what we need to get done,” Billick said. “We?ve got a lot players to look at, so we?ll balance that as best we can in the four quarters of football remaining.”

Sapp?s status up in the air: Safety Gerome Sapp was in shorts for practice at one point Monday, and Billick said the free agent had an intestinal problem.

“His likelihood for Thursday, it?s hard to say, but it?s under control fortunately,” Billick said. “It was not muscular. It was just a tough infection.”

Moore?s highlight-reel grab shows progress: Receiver Clarence Moore had one of the few standout plays in Friday?s loss to Minnesota. Sidelined for much of training camp after surgery for a sports hernia, Moore is progressing.

“Right now, he looks about a second week of camp,” Billick said. “But obviously what he did the other night is what Clarence can bring to us, and we need to expand on that.”