TAMPA — To many, it’s a meaningless preseason game that doesn’t count in the standings.

For fringe NFL roster players, it could be the most important action they ever see on a football field.

The Miami Dolphins’ preseason finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday at Raymond James Stadium, will serve as the lasting impression for players vying for the final active roster spots.

NFL cuts are to be made by 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Some may boost themselves into a role based on what they put on display. Others may not make Miami’s 53-man active roster, but their performance could earn them a job with another team — or a spot on the 16-player practice squad; it can go up to 17 if a team has an international player, which the Dolphins do in offensive tackle Bayron Matos (Dominican Republic).

“There’s jobs to be won,” coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday ahead of the Dolphins’ joint practice session with the Buccaneers at their facilities in Tampa.

Take last year’s preseason finale against the Jacksonville Jaguars for an example of the final exhibition sealing a roster spot. Running back Chris Brooks ran for two touchdowns, and days later, he found himself earning a job on the team.

Players on the verge know it this year.

“It’s really important,” said wide receiver Erik Ezukanma, who was a 2022 fourth-round pick but has barely seen regular-season action in his first two NFL seasons. His 2023 campaign was cut short due to a neck injury, and he missed time with a minor injury in this training camp.

“Being out, it was tough, but coming back and being able to wrap my arms around the younger guys and listen to the vets, and just knowing that, when the cuts happen, some guys you won’t see again. It’s just taking every opportunity and taking all the moments in.”

For Ezukanma, at least, he already made a big splash with his performance in last Saturday’s exhibition against the Washington Commanders with five receptions for 65 yards.

“A big relief, honestly,” he said. “It’s like, just waiting since Week 2 of last year against the Patriots, that being my last game, just kind of having self-doubt sometimes. Being able to go back in and make plays, it was a good feeling to know you still got it.”

Many starters with roles solidified should be sitting out the preseason finale, but the interior offensive line jobs could still be there for the taking. Assuming Aaron Brewer can return for the start of the regular season at center, Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones, Lester Cotton and Jack Driscoll need to settle the starting guard positions.

Backup quarterbacks Mike White and Skylar Thompson are competing to be the No. 2 quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa.

“It’s a great opportunity for me — and a lot of guys, guys that are fighting for roster spots in their position groups,” Thompson said Wednesday. “It’s just making the most of your opportunities and being a great teammate on top of all that. I think that’s what’s been really special about this group and what we have here. The culture that we have here, it’s special, and there’s a lot of guys that are rooting for each other, pulling for each other, wanting their teammates to have success and see success.”

Ezukanma, Braxton Berrios and rookie Malik Washington appear to be in good position to make the roster behind Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Odell Beckham Jr. at wide receiver after River Cracraft’s upper-body injury against Washington.

A fourth running back spot appears to be coming down to veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. and the aforementioned Brooks, who has been in concussion protocol since the game against the Commanders.

Then, there are a slew of defensive tackles and edge rushers trying to claim their roles. New defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver appears primed to rotate bodies in his defensive front to keep them fresh. A wave of young defensive backs who made plays throughout camp — cornerbacks Ethan Bonner, Storm Duck, Jason Maitre and Isaiah Johnson and safeties Patrick McMorris and Mark Perry — are trying to snag roster spots behind those secure in their jobs.

Special teams play factors into these decisions. Bonner, outside linebacker Quinton Bell and inside linebacker Channing Tindall could boost their stock through their value to special teams coordinator Danny Crossman’s unit.