Beat's so lonely on a slow Wednesday, but let's take a quick lap around and see what's doing:

Aaron Rodgers (shoulder) was limited to handing off Wednesday according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, but the Packers will do all they can to get him on the field Sunday against the Falcons. Matt Flynn is the fallback if Rodgers ultimately can't go.

Anquan Boldin has a fractured sinus and didn't practice Wednesday, as expected. No specific determination has been made here but I'll be stunned if he plays in Week 5. Steve Breaston, who's made plays just about every week, makes for an intriguing short-term fill-in.

Carson Palmer (elbow) didn't do any throwing Wednesday and is very questionable for the Cowboys on Sunday. If the Bengals have to use Ryan Fitzpatrick again, it's a major hit for the entire offense.

Willis McGahee now has a rib injury to go with his eye issue and he wore a non-contact jersey at Wednesday's session, according to the Baltimore Sun. Make sure Le'Ron McClain isn't

It's going to be a redshirt year for Rashard Mendenhall. The Pittsburgh rookie fractured his shoulder against the Ravens Monday and is headed for injured reserve. The Steelers also lost starting right guard Kendall Simmons (Achilles) for the season.

Willie Parker isn't expected back for Week 5's game with Jacksonville, so Mewelde Moore figures to get a start. Moore is a small but slippery back who's generally more dangerous as a receiver; his 24-yard catch-and-run was the key play in Pittsburgh's overtime win. In medium and deep leagues, go ahead and add Moore, even if it's just a blocking move. PPR owners will want to consider him as a flex option next week.

The Ravens also dealt with injuries in the backfield Monday, as Willis McGahee hobbled off the field a couple of times (ultimately a chest injury ended his night). Le'Ron McClain took the baton with McGahee out and had some impressive moments (16-63 rushing; 3-26 receiving); he absolutely flattened a Pittsburgh defender on a

Sundays are all about collecting stories and stats, angles and observations. Mondays are about clearing the notebook. Here are some themes and images that had my attention during Week 4 of the elegant violence.

In the preseason I got out a Redskins shovel. After the Giants loss on opening night, I buried them. And now it's time for my mea culpa; I can't ignore what I've seen the last three weeks (with the win at Dallas carrying the most weight, of course).

Well played, Jason Campbell. Nice rally, Jim Zorn. And wow, that's a nasty NFC East. Some notes from their latest win take the lead in this week's notebook:

• Campbell looks like a completely different player these days, more confident, a quarterback who's understanding what he's seeing. He's pushed his YPA over the seven mark, he doesn't have a turnover through one month of play, and he's taken just seven sacks. He passed the eye test emphatically at Dallas, pocket-aware and accurate throughout, with a few "wow" plays mixed in

Before we collect some notes from the Friday sandlot, here's the requested look-ahead to Sunday's action. No, you won't be able to pick up the top names on this list, but given the wide variety of league specs out there, I can't be sure where the universal names stop and the available options begin. Thus, we forge ahead and rank everybody, and you're free to use it how you like. Assume a 5x5 format as always.

A lot of pitchers are tagged with an asterisk; in those cases, we need to check the player's status between now and Sunday. There are some other disclaimers that go along with this list, please see them after we run down the Final 30.

Sunday's Pitching Form

1. *CC Sabathia (vs. CHC): Make sure they need the game; a Milwaukee win and a Mets loss Saturday ends the wild-card chase.
2. Tim Lincecum (vs. LA): They're throwing him, so I can't imagine he'll be limited.
3. *Cole Hamels (vs. WAS): Philly's magic number is 1 into Saturday's play, so this start is in jeopardy.
4. *Cliff Lee (at CHW):

The practice news from Friday is critical as we consider those important lineup and roster decisions. Here's a quick lap around the league.

• Donovan McNabb (chest) practiced Friday and Andy Reid thinks the QB might be able to start without extra passing or protection at Chicago Sunday night. "He felt good," Reid said. "We'll see how he does here, but during the practice he felt good."

The news remains cloudy on Brian Westbrook (questionable, ankle) and L.J. Smith (doubtful, back), both of whom missed the session. Westbrook's status probably won't be determined until Sunday night; I'm not a doctor or a team rep but I wouldn't use him in any league that requires an early decision. Smith's drop-fest the last few weeks makes him a spotty play even if when his back comes around. Brent Celek steps in and might be worth considering in jumbo-sized leagues.

• Adrian Peterson (hamstring) was limited again at Friday's workout, but he should be fine for Sunday's game at Tennessee. It's an early

Before we collect some notes from the Thursday sandlot, here's the requested look-ahead to Saturday's action. No, you won't be able to pick up the top names on this list, but given the wide variety of league specs out there, I can't be sure where the universal names stop and the available options begin. Thus, we forge ahead and rank everybody, and you're free to use it how you like. Assume a 5x5 format as always.

A lot of playoff-bound arms are on this schedule, and it's pretty much anyone's call as to how much they'll throw here. I'll keep my ear to the ground, but in most cases, it's just a guessing game. The other tricky element to this streaming slate is the collection of scrubs and journeymen on the bottom of the card. Point and click very carefully.

Saturday's Pitching Form

1. Brandon Webb (vs. COL): He's rallied nicely and the matchup is ideal.
2. Chris Young (vs. PIT): At home against a modest offense.
3. Ricky Nolasco (at NYM): Unheralded ace with an unlimited upside.
4. Josh Beckett

A collection of Thursday stuff you should know about:

• Willie McGahee suffered an eye injury in Sunday's win over Cleveland, and according to the Baltimore Sun his status is in question for Monday's showdown with the Steelers. Le'Ron McClain's ownership level isn't where it should be yet. To make this situation as complicated as possible, McClain is battling a sore thigh and was limited Thursday.

• David Patten hasn't worked the last couple of days and it looks like he's out, which means the Saints have to make something work with Lance Moore, Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem. Moore, to me, is a little underappreciated in the fantasy community.

• Just when it seemed we could get really excited about Brandon Lloyd, he's nicked up; a hip injury kept him out of Thursday's work. As always during the NFL practice week, the key day is Friday.

• Jon Kitna isn't going to lose his job when the Lions return from the bye in Week 5, but Tom Kowalski of MLive.com thinks the Drew Stanton era

Before we collect some notes from the Wednesday sandlot, here's the requested look-ahead to Friday's action. No, you won't be able to pick up the top names on this list, but given the wide variety of league specs out there, I can't be sure where the universal names stop and the available options begin. Thus, we forge ahead and rank everybody, and you're free to use it how you like. Assume a 5x5 format as always.

Friday's Pitching Form

1. Francisco Liriano (vs. KC): Reinvention Tour has been a smash.
2. Dan Haren (vs. COL): Strikeout rate hasn't wavered and he's owned the Rockies.
3. Derek Lowe (vs. SF): Eight beauties in a row as he angles for next contract.
4. Ryan Dempster (at MIL): Hasn't had a washout start in three months.
5. John Danks (vs. CLE): Strong finish validates breakout campaign.
6. John Lackey (vs. TEX): Whiffed 12 Rangers in his previous turn.
7. Daisuke Matsuzaka (vs. NYY): Tightrope master keeps working around the walks.
8. Brandon Morrow (vs. OAK): Teasing us lately but this is the AL's