The Giants starters will conceivably play, at most, one series against the New England Patriots on Wednesday night, so the backups will have one long last chance to prove they belong.

 The good news is the Giants cleared some roster space by putting Chris Canty and Travis Beckum on PUP/reserve, moving rookie G Brandon Mosley (ankle) to IR and terminating the contract of CB Antwaun Molden . The Mosley move in particular could allow offensive linemen that may have been on the bubble (Mitch Petrus and Jim Cordle) to keep their spot on the 53-man roster.

 Oddly enough, S Tyler Sash’s four-game suspension for a violation of the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs should help the Giants deal with injuries at cornerback. While Terrell Thomas (knee) and Prince Amukamara (high ankle) deal with their injuries, New York can keep an extra cornerback until Sash returns. Then they can reevaluate Thomas’ knee and decide if he needs to go on IR. If not, the extra cornerback will be released when Sash returns in Week 5.

 Final cuts have to be made by Friday at 9 p.m.

 Stock rising: DE Adewale Ojomo has a sack in each of the Giants’ three preseason games. He’s only gone against backups, but he’s been able to disengage from blockers and close in quickly on opposing quarterbacks. The Giants are still deep at the position in spite of some recent minor injuries. 

Stock falling: With several injuries at cornerback, Bruce Johnson is being handed an opportunity right now. He’s just not taking advantage of it. Following Amukamara’s ankle injury against the Bears, Johnson got turned around by Joe Anderson on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jason Campbell. Johnson once shocked everyone by making the Giants as an undrafted rookie in 2009 (he had a pick-six that season), but he just doesn’t look comfortable after battling knee and Achilles injuries over the last two seasons.

QB -- In (2): Eli Manning, David Carr. Out: Ryan Perrilloux. Analysis: The Giants only keep two quarterbacks and Perrilloux isn’t threatening to take Carr’s job.

RB -- In (5): Ahmad Bradshaw, D.J. Ware, Da'Rel Scott and David Wilson (FB) Henry Hynoski. Out: Andre Brown Analysis: Scott’s punt block last week came at the perfect time. He can also serve as a kick returner or an off returner, so he’s given the Giants reason to keep him around. Ware’s role on the team might be taking a hit, however, and he’s not guaranteed a roster spot.  

WR -- In (6): Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, <span data-shortcode=es Barden" data-canon="Ramses Barden" data-type="SPORTS_OBJECT_PLAYER" id="shortcode0">, Domenik Hixon, Rueben Randle and Jerrel Jernigan. Out: Isaiah Stanback, David Douglas and Dan DePalma. Analysis: Douglas has an excellent chance of being on the practice squad and would be signed if either Cruz or Jernigan suffered a serious injury. Stanback brings so much to the table, but the numbers aren’t in his favor right now.

TE -- In (3): Bear Pascoe, Martellus Bennett, and Adrien Robinson Out: Larry Donnell. PUP: Travis Beckum (knee) Analysis: If the Giants thought Robinson would clear waivers, they’d gladly put him on the practice squad. He’s just too raw at the moment.

OL -- In (9): Will Beatty, Sean Locklear, James Brewer, David Baas, Mitch Petrus Kevin Boothe, David Diehl, Jim Cordle and Chris Snee Out: Selvish Capers, Matt McCants and Chris White. IR: Brandon Mosley (ankle) Analysis: McCants is another rookie who would do best on the practice squad for one season. If he breaks a nail against the Patriots, expect the Giants to put him on IR.

DL -- In (9): Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Marvin Austin, Rocky Bernard, Shaun Rogers, Linval Joseph, Adrian Tracy and Markus Kuhn Out: Matt Broha, Dwayne Hendricks, Craig Marshall , Adewale Ojomo, Marcus Thomas. PUP:Chris Canty (knee) Analysis: If the Giants like what the doctors have to say about Rogers’ blood clot, he’ll stick on the roster. If not, Thomas has a new home.

LB -- In (7): Chase Blackburn, Michael Boley, Mark Herzlich, Mathias Kiwanuka, Keith Rivers, Spencer Paysinger and Jacquian Williams Out: Greg Jones and Jake Muasau. Analysis: Paysinger is still on the fence, but the Giants love what he can do on special teams. If he doesn’t make the 53-man roster, he would definitely be a candidate to return should any linebacker get injured.

DB -- In (9): Prince Amukamara, Michael Coe, Jayron Hosley, Terrell Thomas, Corey Webster, Will Hill, Kenny Phillips, Tyler Sash (suspended for four games) and Antrel Rolle. Out: Dante Hughes, Bruce Johnson, Justin Tryon, Stevie Brown and Laron Scott. Analysis: Tryon seems like the favorite to remain on the roster on an interim basis until Sash returns. After that, it’s going to take a lingering injury to keep him around.  

Special teams -- In (3): Lawrence Tynes, Steve Weatherford and Zak DeOssie. Out: Nobody. Analysis: These three will be together for as long as they’re all healthy.

Follow the Giants and Alex Raskin @CBSSportsNFLNYG and @AlexRaskinNYC.