Updated 5:23 p.m. ET, Oct. 3, 2009

• Pierre Garcon has been arguably the Colts' most impressive big-play threat thus far, using his speed and natural strength to score 48- and 53-yard touchdowns in Weeks Two and Three. All of which has some in Indianapolis believing that Anthony Gonzalez won't be able to merely waltz back into his starting job on the outside when he comes back from his knee sprain. With TE Dallas Clark firmly entrenched as the team's most dangerous weapon in the slot, the Colts might not want to mess with success if Garcon keeps up his frenetic pace.

• They didn't produce in 2008 as rookies in the 4-3 scheme, and they're not doing much of anything as sophomores in a defense unsure of whether it wants to commit to a full-scale change to the 3-4. It would be one thing if the inability of Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves to jumpstart their careers had coaches frustrated, but perhaps the biggest piece of evidence about their struggles is that the club has resigned itself to lowering its expectations of the once-touted defensive prospects.

• Texans WR Jacoby Jones has made the most of increased playing time this season. The 6-2, 210-pound Jones, who primarily has returned punts throughout his career, caught TD passes in Weeks Two and Three. "He's grown as a receiver," WR coach Larry Kirksey told PFW last week. The Texans have had high hopes for Jones, a 2007 third-round pick who possesses very good speed.

• The loss of reserve S Vincent Fuller for 4-6 weeks following surgery to repair a broken forearm could loom large for the Titans, the way we hear it. Fuller is a key part of Tennessee's "sub" packages, and his loss really stretches the club's secondary depth.  

• The biggest issue confronting Dolphins QB Chad Henne, we hear, isn't learning to read coverages or developing a rapport with his receivers. Word out of Miami is Henne's most pressing problem is his tendency to lock in on a particular receiver. That problem was exploited by the Chargers in Week Three, resulting in Eric Weddle's pick-six.

• The Patriots have fared so well in their makeshift 4-3 defensive alignment that injuries and defections forced them into that they might very well opt to keep the scheme intact even when ILB Jerod Mayo returns from his sprained knee. The way we hear it, it would likely unfold with Mayo taking over MLB duties, which would bump interim MLB Gary Guyton to the OLB post currently manned by Pierre Woods.

• It hasn't taken Jets head coach Rex Ryan long to be smitten with nickel back Donald Strickland, who was an afterthought that Ryan took a flier on in the offseason. Although Strickland has been banged up of late, he's regarded as one of the defense's unsung heroes on the back end.

• Fred Jackson's impressive performances as the Bills' starting running back will keep him a prominent member of the offense even with Marshawn Lynch back in the fold following his three-game suspension for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. And Jackson won't merely be spelling Lynch in relief, as we hear Buffalo could showcase a fair amount of two-RB formations after they had success dabbling with that personnel in the latter stages of last season.

• The way we hear it, look for the Browns to give the vast majority of carries to Jamal Lewis and Jerome Harrison going forward. Lewis, who missed Week Three with a hamstring injury, is the clear-cut starter, but the team also would like to get Harrison involved as a complementary back. Rookie James Davis is no longer in the mix after being placed on injured reserve Oct. 3 with a shoulder injury.

• While the Bengals' defensive line garners praise for its role in Cincinnati's solid start, the O-line also deserves credit for playing well in recent weeks. The line has held up reasonably well in pass protection, particularly late in the comeback win vs. Pittsburgh in Week Three. And the line is doing strong work in the running game, which has worn down opponents in the fourth quarter.

• Steelers rookie DE Ziggy Hood is "working harder, getting better every day," defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said in a recent interview with PFW. Added LeBeau: "He can do anything we ask him to do. He's playing end, and I think that's his natural position, but on third down he can play any of those rush positions for us. He's a good enough athlete he can even drop (into coverage). I really like him." Hood, Pittsburgh's first-round pick, saw action as a reserve in the Steelers' first three games but did not record a tackle.  
 
• Although head coach Todd Haley said it was not a reaction to their 0-3 start, the Chiefs made a flurry of roster moves, signing TE Leonard Pope, LB David Herron and CB Mike Richardson, cutting LB Monty Beisel and CB Ricardo Colclough and trading away QB Tyler Thigpen. Haley indicated that the team is still in the early stages of rebuilding its roster and will continue to tinker with things until it finds the right group of players.

• Scott Mruczkowski had never started a game at center until this season, but he has filled in admirably thus far for Nick Hardwick, who recently underwent ankle surgery and is expected to be out until at least December. A very smart player, Mruczkowski will be key to the success of the offensive line, as Hardwick was clearly its leader before he went down.

• Raiders OG Robert Gallery said the left fibula he fractured in Week Two is healing quickly and told reporters he might even play in the team's Week Five game against the Giants. That would be a stunningly quick recovery since the normal time necessary to come back from that kind of injury is 4-6 weeks. The Raiders certainly would like to have him back as soon as possible, as he has been their most reliable offensive lineman for the past couple years.

• If Peyton Hillis doesn't get the job done as the Broncos' goal-line back, Knowshon Moreno appears to be the clear next-in-line candidate, we hear. Moreno can be a violent runner and has impressed observers in short-yardage situations thus far.

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