NFL.com Senior Writer Steve Wyche on the six suspension dished out by the NFL on Tuesday:

The four-game suspensions of six NFL players for testing positive for banned substances didn’t come as a surprise, but that still doesn’t make things any less painful – especially for the Minnesota Vikings.

Reggie Bush took part in a limited portion of practice for the second straight day on Thursday, leaving coach Sean Payton “more optimistic” than at the same point last week.

Big decisions are made at the NFL’s offices, 280 Park Avenue, all the time. But the ones made in the coming days will come with greater frequency than any time in recent memory, and they will significantly impact the divisional and playoff races in the NFC.

Three Saints — running back Deuce McAllister, and defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant– are marching into the league’s New York City headquarters Tuesday to appeal their four-game suspensions for positive tests of a weight-loss diuretic.

Saints inactives: QB Joey Harrington, T Jermon Bushrod, RB Reggie Bush, C Jonathan Goodwin, WR Courtney Roby, DT Brian Young, CB Jason David, WR David Patten. Analysis: RB Deuce McAllister will start in place of Bush, and is a borderline No. 2 RB/flex player. TE Jeremy Shockey is active and will start. Chargers inactives: LB Anthony Waters, LB Derek Smith, OG Kynan Forney, OT Corey Clark, WR Buster Davis, TE Kris Wilson and DT Ian Scott. Analysis: WR Chris Chambers and RB LaDainian Tomlinson are both active and will start.