by Chris Mooney

Here some player updates for Week 4:

Quarterbacks

Panther QB Jake Delhomme (elbow) missed his third straight practice Friday with a strained right elbow but told reporters that he is “holding out hope” that he can play on Sunday against Tampa Bay, according to an Associated Press report. Delhomme said he can grip the ball better than he could earlier in the week but hasn’t tried to throw yet. Coach John Fox did not name backup QB David Carr the starter for Sunday, and Delhomme said he might wait until game time to decide whether he can go. Still, it certainly looks at this point like it’s going to be Carr on Sunday.
Ram QB Marc Bulger (ribs/knee) has two broken ribs and a sore knee but is practicing fully and is expected to play on Sunday against Dallas, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Raven QB Steve McNair (groin) had a full practice again Friday and is expected to start Sunday. Cach Brian Billick said he might continue the platoon situation with Kyle Boller, especially late in games, as McNair continues to recover from his groin strain, according to the Washington Post.
Bronco QB Jay Cutler (ankle) practiced fully on Wednesday and he is expected to start Sunday against the Colts, according to the Rocky Mountain News.
Viking QB Tarvaris Jackson (groin) is out for Sunday’s game, so Kelly Holcomb will start for the second straight week against Green Bay.
Raider QB Josh McCown (toe) is officially out for Sunday’s game, so QB Daunte Culpepper will start against Miami, the team that released him in July.
Bill QB J.P. Losman (knee) is out at least two weeks with an MCL sprain, according to the Buffalo News. Rookie Trent Edwards, who replaced him in last week’s loss to the Patriots, will start for him in Week Four, and the team re-signed QB Craig Nall as the backup.
Packer QB Brett Favre (finger) practiced fully on Thursday and will start on Sunday against the Vikings. He is on the injury report because of a small cut on a finger of his right (throwing) hand.

Running Backs

Bengal RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Monday’s game against New England, according to a report on Sirius NFL Radio. Backup RB Kenny Watson will start the game, but the Bengals also signed former Colt RB De De Dorsey earlier this week. RB Chris Perry is on the PUP list through the first six weeks of the season.
Chief RB Larry Johnson (hamstring) returned to practice Friday after sitting out with a sore hamstring the previous two days, according to the team’s web site, and is expected to start on Sunday against San Diego.
Eagle RB Brian Westbrook (abdominal) did not practice again on Friday, according to the team’s official site. This is a concern, especially since he is playing a late Sunday night game. However, Westbrook said late this week that he was anticipating not practicing on Friday. He’s still listed as questionable, which could be a good sign. Also keep in mind they have a bye next week, so Westbrook will have time to rest after this key game. We’ll dig up any information tomorrow, after the walk-through. If you have Westbrook and Correll Buckhalter, and can swap out a starter pre-game Sunday night.
Giant RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) was limited in practice Friday and is questionable for Sunday’s game. He said that if he is cleared to play by the team’s medical staff, he will give it a try, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. RB Derrick Ward (ankle) missed practice Friday with a sore ankle and is questionable for Sunday’s game but is expected to start.
Ram RB Steven Jackson (groin) is out for Week Four with a partial tear of his left groin. Rookie RB Brian Leonard will start on Sunday against Dallas. Coach Scott Linehan said Jackson is week-to-week, but various reports indicate that Jackson will likely miss at least two weeks. Analysis: Leonard will be in a tough spot on a Ram team that has a terrible offensive line, but he can run with solid power inside, and he can catch the ball well. He could be good for 89-90 total yards a game, but it’s a bit premature to assume anything better right now.
Seahawk RB Shaun Alexander (wrist) is playing with a small cracked bone in his left wrist. He said the injury is improving and he will continue to play through it wearing a padded cast to protect the injury. Alexander missed six games last year because of a cracked bone in his foot.
Texan RB Ahman Green (knee) missed practice again on Thursday and the team is planning to go without him on Sunday against the Falcons, the Houston Chronicle reported. Head coach Gary Kubiak said it could come down to a game-time decision but it would be a “bonus” if Green can play.
Texan RB Ron Dayne (ribs) practiced fully on Thursday and is not on the injury report, so he is expected to start against the Falcons, the Chronicle reported, with RB Sam Gado backing him up.
Patriot RB Laurence Maroney (groin) was limited in practice again Thursday but is expected to start Monday against the Bengals.
Packer RB Vernand Morency (knee) practiced for the second straight day Thursday, and coach Mike McCarthy indicated he will likely be activated for Sunday’s game unless he has a setback, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.
Packer RB DeShawn Wynn (ankle) practiced on Thursday but RB Brandon Jackson (shin) did not practice and was added to the injury report, so Jackson is expected to be questionable for Sunday’s game.
Viking RB Chester Taylor (hip) was limited in practice again on Thursday but could play in Sunday’s game depending on how he feels after Friday’s practice, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Even if he plays, RB Adrian Peterson will likely get the majority of the carries.
Viking FB Tony Richardson (forearm) practiced again on Thursday and is expected to play.
Raider RB LaMont Jordan (back) is practicing fully and not listed on the injury report, so he is expected to start on Sunday against Miami. Backup RB Dominic Rhodes is serving the final game of his NFL suspension, so RB Justin Fargas will back up Jordan again.
Lion RB Kevin Jones (foot) said the foot felt good after he saw limited action in last week’s game, and coach Rod Marinelli said he should see more activity on Sunday against Chicago. Lion RB T.J. Duckett (ankle) missed practice again Thursday and is not expected to play in Week Four.
Cowboy RB Julius Jones has suffered two concussions already in three games this season, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported. He is not listed on the injury report Monday, but this looks like another reason why RB Marion Barber might start to get more carries.
Jet RB Thomas Jones (calf) is practicing fully and looks nearly all the way recovered from the calf strain that knocked him out in the preseason.
Buc RB Carnell Williams (ribs) will start Sunday against the Panthers. Coach Jon Gruden said backups Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham could also see a lot of action.
Bear backup Adrian Peterson (calf) was limited in practice again Thursday but is expected to be able to play on Sunday.
Seahawk backup RB Maurice Morris (hip) missed practice Thursday and is questionable for Sunday’s game.
Bronco backup FB Mike Bell (concussion) is out for this week.
Saint RB Deuce McAllister (knee) is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Receivers

Giant WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) was limited in practice Friday but said he intends to play on Sunday against Philadelphia despite a bad ankle sprain, the New York Daily News reported. A second opinion from the orthopedist who examined him on Wednesday confirmed the severe ankle sprain, and Burress will continue practicing on a limited basis one day a week. He practiced only once last week before playing against Washington.
Cardinal WR Anquan Boldin (hip) missed practice Friday for the third straight day with a bruised hip and has been downgraded to doubtful for Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh. If he can’t play, backup WR Bryant Johnson will start for him.
Bronco WR Javon Walker (knee) missed practice again Thursday with swelling in his surgically repaired right knee, but he is expected to start on Sunday, the Rocky Mountain News reported. An MRI showed nothing serious, coach Mike Shanahan said, but Walker tore some scar tissue in the knee during camp and missed a few days of practice at that time. Backup WRs Brandon Stokley and Domenik Hixon filled in during practice this week.
Lions WR Calvin Johnson (back) practiced Friday on a limited basis and is questionable for Sunday’s game. He could be a game-time decision, according to the Detroit Free Press. If he’s out, Mike Furrey would probably start for Johnson but Shaun McDonald, who has been very effective, would move up in the rotation and likely see an increase in pass targets.
Brown TE Kellen Winslow (shoulder) was limited in practice Friday because of a partially dislocated left shoulder but is expected to be able to start on Sunday against Baltimore, according to the Associated Press. He will likely play with a shoulder harness protecting the injury, which could limit him.
Steeler WR Hines Ward (knee) is out for Sunday’s game, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. Nate Washington will start for him. Updated: 5:30 p.m.
Texan WR Andre Johnson (knee) is out again this week. The Houston Chronicle reported that he had the immobilizer removed from his knee but is still walking with a noticeable limp, and the timetable for his return is still uncertain. WR Andre’ Davis will start in his place opposite Kevin Walter.
Texan WR Jacoby Jones (shoulder) is out 2-3 weeks with a separated shoulder, the Houston Chronicle reported. Jerome Mathis (foot) is expected to play and handle the #3 role.
49er TE Vernon Davis (knee) is likely out for two weeks with a sprained MCL, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. TE Delanie Walker will start in his place.
Raven TE Todd Heap (concussion) practiced fully on Wednesday and is expected to start in Week Four, despite the mild concussion he sustained last week. He is also dealing with a minor calf injury. Backup TE Daniel Wilcox (ankle) is going to try to play this week after missing the last two games.
Raven WR Mark Clayton (calf) was limited in practice again Friday and will probably be used mainly in third-down situations, according to the Baltimore Sun. WR Demetrius Williams (heel) was also limited Friday but is expected to start.
Packer WR Greg Jennings (hamstring) was held out of practice Thursday for precautionary reasons but is expected to practice Friday and start on Sunday against the Vikings, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported. WR Donald Driver (toe) practiced fully on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday and is also expected to start.
Eagle TE L.J. Smith (groin) is out for Sunday’s game and Matt Schobel will start for him again. Smith underwent a surgical procedure last week to clear out scar tissue.
Buc WR Joey Galloway returned to practice Thursday after being rested Wednesday and will start on Sunday. WR Ike Hilliard (ankle) has been limited in practice with a sprained ankle but is also expected to play, the Tampa Tribune reported.
Charger WR Vincent Jackson (back) was added to the injury report after being limited in practice Thursday due to a back problem, but he is expected to play on Sunday.
Charger WR Eric Parker (toe) is out for at least another week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported, and rookie Craig Davis has now moved ahead of Malcom Floyd and will start on Sunday.
Chief WR Eddie Kennison (hamstring) returned to practice on a limited basis Wednesday but is not expected to play on Sunday. Rookie Dwayne Bowe is expected to start for him again.
Patriot WR Donte’ Stallworth (knee) practiced on a limited basis Thursday and is expected to start on Monday. He played through the injury last week. Backup Kelley Washington (hamstring) was limited Thursday and will likely be inactive again.
Viking WR Troy Williamson (hamstring) was limited in practice again Thursday and is likely questionable for Sunday’s game. WR Robert Ferguson could start for him again.
Seahawk WR D.J. Hackett (ankle) is out again this week. Nate Burleson, who has played well as the #2 WR, will continue to start. WR Ben Obomanu (hamstring) is expected to play this week after missing the first three games.
Jet WR Jerricho Cotchery (shoulder) practiced fully on Thursday and is expected to start against the Bills.