NFL commissioner Roger Goodell might be giving serious thought into reducing the suspension of Cowboys defensive tackle Tank Johnson. Johnson is on the books for an eight-game suspension, but he's applied to shorten the suspension to six games.

The commissioner cut Johnson a big break by letting him train in the Cowboys' facility even though he's not allowed to practice with the team. Johnson has been with the team for about 10 days, giving him a chance to learn the nose tackle position and stay in shape.

Johnson has been on his best behavior. Because the eight-game suspension is also affected by a bye in Week 8, Johnson wouldn't be eligible to play until Nov. 11, giving him seven games before the playoffs. He's crossing his fingers the commissioner could cut him a break and let him play after the Week 6 game against the Patriots.

Opportunity kocking for Carr: Jake Delhomme had a ticking time bomb in his right elbow for the past three years. He's been battling a slight tear in the elbow since 2005. He did some throwing on Sunday. When he threw on Monday, he felt the same twinge that gave him problems a couple of weeks ago. Now, he's going to need Tommy John surgery, which will take his recovery into next year.

The injury isn't considered career threatening, but it's very untimely for Delhomme. David Carr takes over the offense for the rest of the season. If he does well and takes the Panthers to the playoffs, it's not out of the question that the team would put the future of the franchise in his hands. Joe Montana and Rob Johnson are two quarterbacks who have come back from elbow surgeries.

Holding calls: Officials were a little more liberal in calling holding penalties in Week 5. After only 75 holding calls in the first four weeks of the season -- roughly 1.2 a game -- 24 offensive holding penalties were called in 13 games in Week 5. Passing stats were going through the roof in the first four weeks with fewer holding calls made.

Bad investment? The Broncos might be having some second thoughts about the $3 million signing of defensive end Simeon Rice. Rice was deactivated for the Week 5 game against the Chargers. Mike Shanahan said the reason for the deactivation was Rice's injured shoulder, which wasn't completely healthy when the Broncos signed Rice to a one-year, $3 million contract. Shanahan said Rice is probably around 80 percent and decided to give him more time to get stronger. Still, Rice was signed to help the team in the short term, and if he can't suit for up the most important division game of the year, that's saying something.

Center of attention: Broncos center Tom Nalen is out for the season with a torn tight biceps muscle and should be ready for training camp next year, but what a portrait in courage. He tore the muscle six plays into Sunday's game and stayed through the end of a 41-3 loss to San Diego. Because of the injury, the Broncos redirected more of their runs to the outside because Nalen couldn't handle a lot of the inside run blocks. That's a big loss for the Broncos. In the past couple of weeks, they have lost two of their most experienced blockers -- Nalen and guard Ben Hamilton -- for the season.

Giant steps: Don't be surprised if the Giants are 6-2 before going into a bye week. Their next three games are all winnable. They play the Falcons, 49ers and Dolphins. All three teams have been going with backup quarterbacks. Maybe Tom Coughlin can have a long-term future with the Giants after all.

Injury updates: The Seahawks suffered two key injuries in Week 5. Fullback Mack Strong suffered a spinal cord injury that ended his season and career. Wide receiver Deion Branch could miss a couple games with a mid-foot sprain. The injury isn't considered serious, but the Seahawks have two homes games before their bye. They will probably rest him and get him back for the final nine games.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak thinks wide receiver Jacoby Jones and halfback Ahman Green could be back this week. Green has missed two games with a knee injury. Though he will re-evaluated as the week progresses, wide receiver Andre Johnson may need another week to come back from his knee injury. He has only an outside chance of playing. The Texans have a big game against Jacksonville in Week 6.