By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Roster spots will be on the line tonight when the Bengals wrap up their preseason at Indianapolis.

Some of the tightest competitions are at punter and back-up jobs at tight end, tailback, wide receiver and in the secondary.

BENGALS AT COLTS

• What: Cincinnati (1-2) at Indianapolis (2-1). • When/Where: 8 p.m. today; RCA Dome, Indianapolis. • TV: Chs. 12, 2. • Radio: WCKY-AM (1360), WOFX-FM (92.5). • Series: The Bengals hold a 6-5 preseason edge over the Colts since their 1984 move to Indianapolis. The Colts have an 8-4 edge in the regular season.

Coach Marvin Lewis also has indicated the players will make the team based on their ability to produce on special teams, regardless of their offensive or defensive position.

Players whose jobs are hanging in the balance will get long looks against the Colts.

"They'll play through this game, and we'll do the best evaluation that we can on Saturday," Lewis said.

The Bengals have to release 13 players by 4 p.m. Sunday to reach the NFL's 53-man Active List limit.

"We have to get a good look at guys on special teams. That could be more important than the offensive or defensive sides of the ball."

Lewis is most interested in watching the punt and kickoff coverage teams.

Punters Nick Harris and Travis Dorsch also are expected to split opportunities. Two-year incumbent Harris, once believed to be a lock to make the team, has been threatened by Dorsch's recent push. Dorsch's net average is 39.0 yards, compared to Harris' 26.6 yards. Both have punted five times in the preseason.

At tight end, two former third-round draft picks - Sean Brewer (2001), and Matt Schobel (2002) - are fighting for the third spot behind starter Reggie Kelly and Tony Stewart. Brewer leaped into third spot on the depth chart this week ahead of Schobel, who has seen limited game and practice time because of a hamstring injury.

The Bengals would like to keep three tailbacks, and Rudi Johnson and Ray Jackson are in a battle for the position behind starter Corey Dillon and long-time backup Brandon Bennett. Johnson and Jackson are the team's top two preseason rushers with 103 and 74 yards, respectively.

At wide receiver, the fifth and a possible sixth spot are still up for grabs. Fourth-year pro Danny Farmer appears to be the fifth receiver right now, and newcomer Kevin Walter - picked up off the wavier wire from the Giants earlier this week - could stick because of his ability to play special teams.

At safety, where the Bengals might keep four or five players, Lamont Thompson could be fighting for a job. The former second-round pick is third on the depth chart at free safety behind starter Mark Roman and Kevin Kaesviharn.

Despite all of the individual battles, Lewis would like to see a solid performance from his team in the final tune-up before the Sept. 7 opener.

"We have to set a tempo," he said. "We still want to play with the same enthusiasm and athletic ability we have demonstrated. It's a chance to go on the road and play against another playoff team from a year ago."

The Colts are 2-1, after defeating Denver Monday night. The Bengals are 1-2.

So far, the Bengals have avoided serious injuries that have affected other teams in the preseason.

"But there's evaluation to be done," Lewis said, "work to be done, a foundation to be laid."

Quarterback Jon Kitna will wrap up the preseason by making his fourth start in as many games. Shane Matthews will follow Kitna into the game, and rookie Carson Palmer will finish.

"We're going to judge the flow of the game and take it from there," Lewis said when asked how long Kitna would play. "We'll judge the rhythm of that group with Jon and make sure we keep our (starters) in there as they have their (starters) in there."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com