Elsewhere around the NFL:

Detroit: According to the Associated Press, Lions WR Calvin Johnson (hand, knee) is “doubtful” to play on Thanksgiving against Green Bay. The AP doesn’t cite sources, but issued the report after coach Jim Schwartz’s Monday presser. Schwartz “didn’t sound optimistic” that Calvin would play on Thursday. Don’t expect Johnson to practice this week and be listed as questionable for Thursday.

St. Louis: Rams QB Marc Bulger has a fracture in the upper part of his kneecap and he’ll miss 3-6 weeks. Since the injury is a “tibial plateau fracture,” Buldger is likely to be placed on injured reserve. With the Rams being 1-9, Bulger might have played his last game in St. Louis Rams. Expect the Rams to select a QB early in the 2010 NFL draft.

Seattle: Seahawks Coach Jim Mora said Monday that Julius Jones (ribs, lung) is expected to resume practicing this week. Considering that Jones had bleeding in his lungs only two weeks ago, it would be a big surprise if he was ready to play this weekend. Averaging 5.5 YPC on the year, Forsett figures to remain the lead back at St. Louis in Week 12 if Jones isn’t 100%.

Baltimore: Baltimore Ravens CB Fabian Washington is expected to miss the rest of 2009 with a torn ACL, coach John Harbaugh revealed Monday. Washington, who will be a free-agent in 2010, was having a poor season and he has even been benched for poor tackling.

Green Bay: Had the Packers held practice on Monday, RB Ryan Grant would not have participated as he is dealing with a neck stinger. The injury hasn’t been deemed serious, so expect him to play against the Lions on Thanksgiving.

Eli Manning: Manning, who has been hobbled by injuries this season, had throwing for a career-high 384 yards and three touchdowns. Most importantly, the New York Giants 6-4) snap a four-game skid with a 34-31 overtime victory over Atlanta. Manning’s strong play compensated for a defense that squandered a 31-17 lead and a running game that lost Brandon Jacobs (right leg injury) in the third quarter.

Tom Brady: Tom Brady had an average day, completing 28 of 41 passes for 310 yards and one touchdown. I’m confused, should he be on the Duds page?

Wes Welker: Welker set career highs in catches 15) and yards (192) as New England pummeled one of the inter-division rivals on Sunday. Welker, who did not play in the first matchup, was a huge on moving the chains.

Matthew Stafford: Stafford enjoyed the best game of his rookie season in Week 11, throwing for 422 yards and five touchdowns, including an epic game-winning strike to Brandon Pettigrew with no time left on the clock to lead Detroit to a 38-37 victory over the Browns. Stafford also became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to toss five touchdown passes in a single game.

Leigh Bodden: Bodden had a huge game as a starter in the Patriots victory on Sunday, picking off B Mark Sanchez three times as New England Patriots defense stifled the rookie quarterback.

Brett Favre: The ageless one continues to be an unexpected model of consistency and efficiency in Minnesota Vikings. Favre completed a career-high 88 percent of his passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns as the Vikings rolled to a 35-9 victory over the Seahawks. Favre completed 22 of his 25 throws for the 9-1 Vikings.

Terrell Owens: T.O. exploded on Sunday, catching nine passes for 97 yards, including a team-record 98-yarder for a score, in Buffalo’s 18-15 loss to the Jaguars. It was Owens’ first 100-yard receiving game as a Bill. The 197 yards represent the third-highest single-game total of his career.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Detroit: According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee) “looks” likely to face the Rams in Week 8. This appears to be a purely visual observation and no sources are being quoted. Still, this is better news than Johnson not practicing at all.

Detroit: Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford (knee) was “limited” in Friday’s practice. Stafford is still expected to start against the Rams this Sunday.

Arizona: Cardinals WR Steve Breaston (knee) was limited in Cardinals practice Friday. It is clear that Breaston’s health is improving, but he has a bad fantasy matchup against the Panthers No. 1 ranked pass defense this Sunday.

New Orleans: Saints TE Jeremy Shockey (shoulder) returned to a full practice Friday. Shockey is slated to start this Monday when the New Orleans Saints play the Falcons.

Carolina: Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad (knee) has been ruled out for Week 8, which means that underperforming Dwayne Jarrett will make his second career start. Jarrett started one game in ’09 with Steve Smith on suspension and caught two balls for 36 yards.

Raiders coach Tom Cable confirmed that Michael Bush will be the starting RB for week five. Bush and Justin Fargas will likely split carries until one of backs establishes himself as the clear interim starter. The Raiders entire offense will have a tough time moving the ball this Sunday against a stout Giants defense.

Matt Hasselbeck Likely to Start Sunday:

Seattle Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck (ribs) returned to a full practice on Thursday. Hasselbeck will likely get the start this Sunday, however he is not 100% and the Seahawks offensive line has numerous injuries.

Michael Crabtree will play in Two Weeks:

San Francisco offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye indicated that Michael Crabtree will break into the offense as a slot receiver in the third-down package. “I think it will be easier if he had a concentrated package,” Raye said of getting Crabtree ready for action in two weeks time. “And right now, in my mind, that would be the third-down package.” At this point, Crabtree has low fantasy value but he could be inline for starts in deep leagues in the latter portion of this season.

Roy Williams Status for Week Five is Uncertain:

Dallas Cowboy’s coach Wade Phillips informed reporters that WR Miles Austin would start if Roy Williams (ribs) is held out this week at Kansas City. Williams is in the record as believing he would play, but it appears that Williams playing status could be a game-time decision.

Matthew Stafford Likely to Miss Week Five:

Detroit QB Matthew Stafford (knee) missed practice Thursday and is considered unlikely to play this week. Daunte Culpepper will get the start if Stafford cannot play.

Jerome Harrison to be the Featured RB in Cleveland:

Browns coach Eric Mangini gave RB Jerome Harrison a seal of approval on Thursday. “Now we have two guys that can go in and play first, second or third down, and do it well,” Mangini said. We expect Harrison to be the starting RB in Cleveland for the rest of the season.

Clinton Portis Injury Report:

Washington Redskins RB Clinton Portis (calf, ankles) has not been listed on the Redskins injury report this week. Even though Portis didn’t practice last week, he still received 25 carries. Expect the off-injured RB to have a big day this weekend against the Panthers poor rush defense.

Wes Welker Injury Report:

New England WR Wes Welker (knee) was limited again on Thursday. Welker said Wednesday that his knee feels “as good as can be expected.” Expect Welker to play this Sunday and have a solid game.