Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam said he's playing. Middle linebacker Al Wilson isn't sure.

Elam, a University of Hawai'i alum, said his injured left hamstring feels much better and that he will play tomorrow against San Diego.

"I wish I had another week to get it completely better, but I feel good and should be OK," Elam said yesterday.

Wilson, who injured his neck running into teammate Gerard Warren against Seattle last Sunday night, said his status will depend on how he feels tomorrow.

"I'm 50-50," he said.

The Broncos haven't practiced in full pads all week. Coach Mike Shanahan, who didn't address the media yesterday, said on Thursday that he was optimistic Wilson would play.

"I asked him how he was feeling and he said, 'Bad,' " Shanahan said. "But he said, 'I feel bad every week.' He said, 'I think that's a good sign.' We're sure hoping he's playing."

The Broncos had 17 players listed on their injury report yesterday with only fullback Cecil Sapp (broken left leg) definitely ruled out. Tackle Adam Meadows (hamstring), Elam and Wilson were listed as questionable and everyone else was probable. Meadows missed at least a portion of practice all week.

Elam hurt his plant leg trying to gain extra yardage on a fake field goal just before halftime against Seattle.

"I tried to hit some extra points (Friday) and step it up a little bit, and they would have been good from 40 and I wasn't swinging too hard," Elam said. "I'm pretty confident everything's going to be fine."

Elam didn't know what his range would be, but if a longer field goal is necessary, punter Paul Ernster may attempt it.

Ernster, a seventh-round selection in the 2005 draft, was a first-team All-Big Sky punter and kicker at Northern Arizona.

GIANTS

New York Giants kicker Jay Feely hit six 50-yard field goals in practice yesterday, two days after feeling soreness in his foot.

"He kicked everything today," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "He kicked all of the field goals, kicked off. He has a pre-practice workout on Fridays and I think he was five out of six from 45 yards. I feel like he did well. He did everything we asked him to do. He's not having any trouble today, so I think he's going to be OK."

Feely said he made all six from 50 yards in preparation for tomorrow's road game against Carolina.

PATRIOTS

New England Patriots linebacker Junior Seau, out for the year after his third straight season-ending injury, said he plans to return next year for an 18th season.

Seau's season ended after he broke his arm against the Bears on Nov. 26. Seau, who turns 38 next month, signed a one-year deal with the Patriots this summer after a brief retirement. The 12-time Pro Bowl selection told the San Diego Union-Tribune he has no plans to retire again.

"I'm going to be back," he said. "I don't know which helmet I'll wear, but I'm definitely going to be back."

ELSEWHERE

Redskins: Running back Ladell Betts signed a five-year, $11 million contract extension with Washington yesterday, opting to remain in Clinton Portis' shadow rather than test free agency after a career-best season. Betts, getting a regular chance to start while Portis is on injured reserve, has rushed for 100 yards in back-to-back games.

Titans: Tennessee rookie LenDale White missed his third consecutive day of practice yesterday and is questionable for tomorrow's game against the Houston Texans. The running back has been bothered by the flu as well as a hip flexor strain that he originally injured in practice last week, then re-injured Sunday in a 20-17 victory over Indianapolis.