Five Steelers to watch in Thursday's preseason finale vs. the Panthers

Five Steelers players to watch against the Carolina Panthers on Thursday:

OT Jerald Hawkins

Hawkins' name was written into most projections for the Steelers' opening-day 53-man roster this season, but in pencil, not pen. Although he has improved during camp, Hawkins is being pushed by Matt Feiler for the No. 8 offensive lineman spot. Both figure to start and play extensively Thursday. A tiebreaker? Feiler is out of practice-squad eligibility. So a strong showing would aid Hawkins' cause.

WR Demarcus Ayers

Ayers flashed potential late last season as a spare receiver, and he was drafted in part because of his proven value as a returner. His path to a roster spot isn't clear, though, and he could use a big game against the Panthers to make a strong case. A seventh-round pick last year, Ayers has been out most of this training camp because of injury.

CB Mike Hilton

Seemingly throughout camp, he has been the trendy pick as this year's dark horse to earn a roster spot. But Hilton still faces a numbers crunch at cornerback, particularly after the reported signing of Joe Haden.

WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

Take Four when it comes to the Steelers' young and dynamic rookie second-round pick attempting to make it through a full preseason game unscathed. Smith-Schuster has suffered at least four not-insignificant injuries during the five weeks of training camp, including one in each of the two games he has played in (he missed the Atlanta game because of a bone bruise). It'd be nice to see Smith-Schuster make a big play, or even just stay healthy through 60 minutes.

TE Xavier Grimble

Along with David Johnson, these are two players who went from absolute locks for a 53-man roster spot to ones that are suddenly on the bubble after the acquisition of Vance McDonald on Tuesday. Can Grimble, in particular, erase any doubt he belongs? Johnson is more of an established veteran “he-is-who-he-is” specialist. Grimble has a higher ceiling. Or maybe the Steelers keep four tight ends?

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.