Quarterbacks in the News: QB Rodney Peete (Car) has a sore knee, but is expected to start as usual. QB Akili Smith (Cin) is very upset over his one start and subsequent demotion this week. Jon Kitna gets the call this week at QB. A tryout with legendary movie QB Burt Reynolds was adamantly denied by the Bengals. QB Brian Griese (Den) bought a pet gate and a flashlight and expects to remain the starter unless he is abducted by aliens later this week. He appears as probable on the injury report after tripping over his dog last week. QB Joey Harrington (Det) is on a bye this week. QB Brett Favre (GB) was excused from Wednesday's practice, but returned to practice on Thursday. QB David Carr (Hou) is on a bye this week. QB Jay Fiedler (Mia) was able to play last week with his sore finger and will do the same this week. He appears on the injury report as probable. QB Daunte Culpepper (Min) is on a bye this week. QB Chad Pennington (NYJ) will start at QB this week. Vinny Testaverde was replaced because of performance issues not related to his injured shoulder. Vinny appears on the injury report as probable and will be the team's #2 QB this weekend. QB Tommy Maddox (Pit) will start at quarterback for the Steelers after playing flawlessly in relief of Kordell Stewart. Kordell has showed great maturity in handling the demotion. QB Trent Dilfer (Sea) is on a bye this week. QB Kurt Warner (StL) had surgery on Tuesday to repair his damaged pinky. The doctor's estimate his return at 8-10 weeks. Warner seems more optimistic that he can return after 5-6 weeks. Jamie Martin will start in Warner's place. QBs Danny Wuerffel and Patrick Ramsey (Was) each took approximately 50% of the snaps with the first unit in Thursday's practice. No announcement has been made to the starter (will be announced on Saturday to eliminate media questions), but people close to the organization indicate that Danny Wuerffel will likely start this week. QB Shane Matthews (Was) has a sore shoulder, but could play if needed. He appears on the injury report as probable. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Running Backs in the News: RBs Thomas Jones and Marcel Shipp (Ari) missed Thursday's practice and may both miss the game Sunday. Shipp definitely looks like he will not be able to go. Thomas Jones is day to day and will likely be a game-time decision. RB Damien Anderson (practice squad player who will likely be activated) has been taking the snaps with the first team in practice. Insiders within the Arizona clubhouse are indicating even if Thomas Jones can play, he may play a reserve role (or be sat down entirely) since Arizona has their bye in week 6. This would give Thomas Jones sufficient time to be close to 100% when they come off their bye. Marcel Shipp appears as doubtful and Thomas Jones as questionable on the Wednesday injury report. RB Travis Henry (Buf) was able to practice with his sore knee and is expected to start as usual. He appears on the injury report as probable. RB Deshaun Foster (Car) is running around and believes he can go in a few weeks. He is out for this game. FB Nick Goings (Car) appears on the Wednesday injury report as questionable with sore ribs. The Denver trainers believe RB Mike Anderson (Den) looks to be progressing well enough to be able to play on Sunday. Don't expect the coach to give any clues to whether he can go or not though. He will be a game-time decision. RBs James Stewart and Cory Schlesinger (Det) are on a bye this week. RB Ahman Green (GB) was excused from Wednesday's practice, but did work out with the team on Thursday. RBs James Allen and Jonathan Wells (Hou) are on a bye this week. RBs Moe Williams and Michael Bennett (Min) are on a bye this week. RB Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (Pit) is out this week with torn rib cartilage. RB Amos Zereoue (Pit) was able to practice on Thursday despite a sore foot. He will spell Jerome Bettis for a few series as expected. RB Shaun Alexander (Sea) is on a bye this week. RB Robert Holcombe (Ten) is out with an injured hip. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Wide Receivers in the News: WR David Boston (Ari) practiced on Thursday and is ready to have a big game this week. WR Darrin Chiaverini (Atl) was unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. WR Muhsin Muhammad (Car) is doubtful again this week with a sore hamstring. He was able to run through most practices at limited speed, but he doesn't have the strength back in his leg to be on the football field. Steve Smith and Isaac Byrd will start for the Panthers. WR TJ Houshmandzadeh (Cin) has sore ribs, but will play this week. WR Joey Galloway (Dal) was able to practice with his dislocated thumb on Wednesday, but did not attempt to catch a pass. For Sunday's game, he expects to play with his thumb taped to his other 4 fingers. Galloway appears as questionable on the injury report. WRs Az-Zahir Hakim and Bill Schroeder (Det) are on a bye this week. The Wide Receivers in Detroit are so dinged up that they used QBs Mike McMahon and Ty Detmer at WR in practice. Let's hope we never have to see that during a game. Ty Detmer going deep might be a 10 yard pass. WR Terry Glenn (GB) was diagnosed with post-traumatic migraines and is taking medication. He has been cleared to practice and play if he feels ok. Until he plays a full game, we may see him in spot duty until this fully subsides. No word yet whether he will play on Monday night. WR Javon Walker (GB) has a sore quadricep that may prevent him from playing on Monday night. He appears on the injury report as questionable. WRs Cory Bradford and Jabbar Gaffney (Hou) are on a bye this week. WRs Randy Moss, Derrick Alexander and Dwayne Bates (Min) are on a bye this week. WR Troy Brown (NE) is still bothered by his knee and appears as questionable on the Wednesday injury report. If he cannot go, Deion Branch will start in his place. Troy was able to practice in a limited capacity with the team on Thursday but remains very questionable to start. WR Joe Horn (NO) will be upgraded from questionable to probable when the Friday injury report gets released. He was able to practice on Thursday and will start as usual. Jerome Pathon will play opposite of him since Donte Stallworth cannot play this week with his injured hamstring. WR Wayne Chrebet (NYJ) has missed practices all week and is listed doubtful with a twisted knee on the injury report. Laveranues Coles and Santana Moss will start this week. WRs Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson (Sea) are on a bye this week. WR Derrick Mason (Ten) is out with a separated shoulder. Drew Bennett will get the start in his place. Kevin Dyson will start opposite of Bennett and will have more plays designed for him this week. Justin McCareins will also play a great deal while Derrick gets healthy. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Tight Ends in the News: TE Todd Heap (Bal) has a bruised thigh, but expects to start as usual. TE Jay Riemersma (Buf) has a sore ankle, but is expected to start on Sunday. He appears on the injury report as probable. TE Wesley Walls (Car) fractured his finger in Thursday's practice catching a pass. No word yet on whether this will hold Walls out of the game on Sunday. He was already bettling a sore knee and appeared on the wednesday injury report as probable. He is certain to be downgraded to at least questionable in Friday's report. TE Fred Baxter (Chi) is progressing well and expects to play on Monday. He appears on the Wednesday injury report as questionable. TE Mikhael Ricks (Det) is on a bye this week. TE Bubba Franks (GB) expects to play on Monday Night despite being listed as questionable on the injury report with a sore knee. He was held out of Thursday's practice. TE David Martin (GB) is progressing well after his concussion. He will play on Monday. TE Kyle Brady (Jac) suffered a mild concussion, but is fine and is expected to play on Sunday. TE Jason Dunn (KC) appears on the injury report as questionable with a sore shoulder and may be limited. This could be just the opportunity Tony Gonzalez needs to show he belongs in this league. TE Jim Kleinsasser (Min) has begun jogging and is expected to return to the field for their week 6 game against Detroit. TE Byron Chamberlain (Min) is on a bye this week. The Oakland Raiders gave a tryout to free agent TE OJ Santiago, but did not sign him when they found out he was not the notorious OJ who had fled in the white Bronco. They also conducted a tryout with Damon Jones, but did not sign him. TE Daniel Graham (NE) appears on the injury report as questionable. With so many serviceable tight ends on their roster, his playing time is likely to be limited even if he can go. TE Chad Lewis (Phi) is expected to start despite a sore neck (stinger). TEs Jerramy Stevens and Itula Mili (Sea) are on a bye this week. TE Frank Wycheck (Ten) may be counted on more while WR Derrick Mason is on the sidelines getting better. TE Walter Rasby (Was) was able to practice on Thursday and is expected to play this weekend. No word yet whether he will start or play in relief of Zeron Flemister. /*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/* Place Kickers in the News: PK Shayne Graham (Car) was not canned as expected when he missed a short FG that would have tied the game. PK Jason Hason (Det) is on a bye this week. PK Kris Brown (Hou) is on a bye this week. PK Gary Anderson (Min) is on a bye this week. PK Rian Lindell (Sea) is on a bye this week.