Vince Young has had a variety of tests on his right hamstring, and coach Jeff Fisher calls it a mild strain that will keep the Tennessee quarterback day-to-day.

Fisher said yesterday he has not ruled Young out for Sunday's game with Miami (7-6) and hopes to have the quarterback on the practice field tomorrow for Tennessee (6-7).

The coach said Young could play without practicing.

"It's unlikely that he'll be 100 percent, but still there's different levels," Fisher said. "Again, we're encouraged, and he'll be day-to-day."

Young pulled up at the end of a 44-yard run, the longest of his career, during Sunday's 47-7 win over St. Louis. The quarterback said after the win that he definitely could have returned for a playoff-type game.

COWBOYS

WARE HAS NECK STRAIN

Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware could play Saturday night at New Orleans (13-0) despite a neck injury from a scary collision.

Coach Wade Phillips said yesterday that Ware is "a lot better" and is considered day-to-day for Dallas (8-5). The coach described the injury as a neck strain.

Ware spent several hours in the hospital Sunday after he was hurt in the fourth quarter of a 20-17 loss to the San Diego Chargers.

STEELERS

POLAMALU MAY RETURN

Troy Polamalu hopes to play at least one more game this season, even though the slumping Pittsburgh Steelers have only a slim chance of making the playoffs.

Polamalu has missed eight games this season and most of two others with a pair of ligament injuries in his left knee. He hasn't played since the opening series against Cincinnati on Nov. 15 and probably won't play against Green Bay (9-4) on Sunday, when the Steelers (6-7) will attempt to end a five-game losing streak.

The five-time Pro Bowl safety said yesterday he wants to return "at least" for the regular season-ending game at Miami on Jan. 3.

JETS

SANCHEZ TO PRACTICE

Injured Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez will practice this week, although coach Rex Ryan is uncertain what the rookie's status will be for New York's next game against Atlanta.

Ryan said he wants to see how Sanchez gets through tomorrow's practice before making a decision.

Sanchez didn't make the trip with the team for its 26-3 victory at Tampa Bay on Sunday so he could rehabilitate the sprained posterior collateral ligament in his right knee at the Jets' facility.

Kellen Clemens replaced him under center against the Buccaneers.

ELSEWHERE

Raiders: Bruce Gradkowski is doubtful to start at quarterback for Oakland this week because of sprained ligaments in both knees. Coach Tom Cable said yesterday he won't know Gradkowski's status until tomorrow. Cable says if Gradkowski can't play, he will "do what's best for this team," which could be starting Charlie Frye instead of former starter JaMarcus Russell.

Packers: Green Bay has agreed to a four-year, $21 million deal with linebacker Brandon Chillar. Chillar's agent, James Ivler, said yesterday that the player will receive $9.5 million through the end of next season under the new contract. The deal was first reported by espn.com.

Browns: Coach Eric Mangini said he's willing to explore using Josh Cribbs, Cleveland's versatile playmaker, more in a traditional running back role. Cribbs ran for 87 yards out of the wildcat formation in last Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cribbs also returns kickoffs and punts, plays gunner on special teams and at wide receiver.

Eagles: Wide receiver Kevin Curtis, out since the second week of the season with a knee injury, could return for Sunday's home game with the San Francisco 49ers. Curtis would replace rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin, who reinjured his left foot in Sunday night's win over the Giants and could be out for two weeks or more.

Broncos: Safety Vernon Fox was signed to replace rookie special teams star Darcel McBath, who was lost for the season with a broken right forearm sustained in the Broncos' loss at Indianapolis on Sunday.

Rams: St. Louis guard Jacob Bell could miss the rest of the season after tearing a hamstring late in Sunday's loss at Tennessee. Coach Steve Spagnuolo said yesterday that the injury will not require surgery but hinted Bell could be placed on injured reserve.

Jaguars: Jacksonville has activated fullback Brock Bolen from the practice squad, an indication that Greg Jones' right ankle injury could keep him out of Thursday night's game against Indianapolis.

Texans: Houston rookie tight end Anthony Hill has a torn knee ligament and will miss the rest of the season.