Who’s battling for Chiefs roster spots in Thursday’s preseason finale vs. Bears?

Even with several starters expected to sit out the final preseason game for the Chiefs, stakes remain high for Thursday’s game against the Chicago Bears.

For several players, especially those toward the bottom of the depth chart at their position, this is a final chance to make a good impression and compete for a roster spot.

Wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who caught the game-winning pass in Super Bowl LVIII, says he among them.

“Some people are solidified,” Hardman said. “But it’s definitely one of those times where all the hard work you’ve been doing in camp, you’re trying to make a spot on the team.

“There are some nervous times around here. For me, too. You don’t know what can happen.”

Hardman’s position group is deep, with four players who appear to be locks: Hollywood Brown, Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson.

Hardman is part of the next group batting for a spot along with Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney, Justyn Ross and Nikko Remigio.

Just to make things more interesting, Cornell Powell had the highlight play, a 64-yard touchdown reception, in the Chiefs’ 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions on Saturday, and was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded player.

Do the Chiefs keep seven wide receivers? Six? NFL teams must trim rosters from 90 to 53 players by next Tuesday, and Thursday’s game caps the audition period that started during OTAs and has continued through training camp and the preseason.

“This game coming up is going to be valuable for a lot of these guys,” Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said. “It’s good to have tough decisions.”

Difficult calls will be made with several position groups on both sides of the ball. At running back, Carson Steele’s strong training camp and preseason games have made him a surprise contender for a roster spot. Would the Chiefs keep three -- Steele, Clyde Edwards-Helarire and Deneric Prince -- behind Isiah Pacheco?

Nine or 10 offensive linemen? Four tight ends? In most years, the roster math works out as an even split between offensive and defensive players: 25 each with three more in the kicking game to reach 53.

But seven wide outs, four running backs, four tight ends, two quarterbacks and nine offensive lineman equals 26 offensive players.

The defensive side presents the biggest unknown involving the starting lineup. The second cornerback hasn’t been established. The competition among Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams and Nazeeh Johnson has been slowed by injuries to each player at some point during training camp.

Williams is the latest, missing Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury, and not working with a starting lineup has troubled defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.

“We haven’t had our top 11, 12, 13 on the field for one play,” Spagnuolo said. “That’s concerning, frustrating.”

The Chiefs top four cornerbacks, the three battling for No. 2 plus Trent McDuffie, look solid. But the battle for the next spot is among Keith Taylor, Nic Jones and Kamal Hadden.

They’ll all get their shot to impress against the Bears, and the coaching staff will take the next few days to shape the roster into its final form.

“At some point,” Spagnuolo said, “you’ve got to go with your gut.”