NFL ROUNDUP News and notes

49ers: Coach Dennis Erickson is in no hurry to leave just yet. Erickson responded to the circling rumors about his future Monday, saying he thinks he'll still be employed by the 49ers (2-11) at least until January. He met with owner John York and general manager Terry Donahue one day after San Francisco's 31-28 overtime win over Arizona, but believes all discussion of the coaching staff's future will wait three weeks. Erickson also said he hasn't been contacted by Mississippi about its head coaching vacancy despite widespread reports naming him as the top candidate -- but he also didn't exactly deny interest.
Broncos: Running back Tatum Bell believes his shoulder injury isn't as bad as first thought and insists he could be available for next week's game against Kansas City. Bell ran for 123 yards and two touchdowns after replacing Reuben Droughns, who fumbled twice early in Denver's 20-17 win over Miami on Sunday. But the rookie second-round draft choice left in the third quarter after separating his shoulder, and Droughns returned to finish the game. Bell, however, said the shoulder wasn't feeling too bad Monday and considered himself day-to-day. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Trevor Pryce might be listed as something other than 'Out' on this week's injury report. Pryce plans on practicing Wednesday. He returned to practice last week, the first time since back surgery in September, and said he had trouble gaining his balance at first. "I have to get back in football shape, and the only way to get in football shape is play football," he said. Denver (8-5) is tied with Baltimore for the AFC's final wild card spot. After the game, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said Bell's injury was a third-degree shoulder separation, the worst kind of separation possible.
Colts: Tight end Dallas Clark has a strained biceps, but coach Tony Dungy didn't say whether the injury would keep Clark out of this week's game against Baltimore. Clark has been bothered by injuries throughout his two-year career. He missed the Tennessee game on Dec. 5 with a calf injury and was limited in practice before Sunday's 23-14 win at Houston. Last year, Clark missed the final four regular-season games and all three playoff games after breaking his right leg. Dungy also was optimistic Monday that the Colts' starting offensive line could be intact for the first time in six weeks. Guard Tupe Peko has missed four straight games with a foot injury, and center Jeff Saturday missed the last two games with a torn right calf. The Colts moved starting guard Rick DeMulling to center after he sat out three games with a bruised chest. This week, everybody could be back at their normal spots.
Bears: Linebacker Brian Urlacher is to have an MRI on his left hamstring this week, and his status for the final three games is unknown. Urlacher sustained his third leg injury of the season in Sunday's 22-3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Urlacher made a brief appearance in the Bears' locker room Monday. Asked how his leg was doing, he said: "Which one?" Urlacher missed the entire preseason and two early games this season with a sore right hamstring. He later sat out two more games after surgery on his left calf following a Nov. 14 game against Tennessee. He had played the last two weeks.
Seahawks: Defensive end Grant Wistrom has ligament damage in his left knee and will miss up to six weeks, though coach Mike Holmgren said he could be available if the Seahawks reach the playoffs. Wistrom was hurt in the fourth quarter of last weekend's 27-23 win at Minnesota. He missed four games earlier this season with a broken bone in his left knee. Doctors will re-examine Wistrom within two weeks, when they'll determine if the injury is healing faster than projected. If that's the case, Holmgren said Wistrom might play if Seattle is in the playoffs.
Lions: Linebacker Boss Bailey doesn't expect to play this season. Bailey, who had a strong rookie season last year, had surgery on his right knee in August. He started working out with his teammates last month, but has not played in a game. "It's pretty doubtful that I'll play at all this year," Bailey said. "There's a chance, but I just don't think my knee is going to be ready. It's a physical thing for the most part, but because my knee is not right physically, it's holding me back mentally."
Rams: Marc Bulger can't get healthy fast enough. One day after missing a 20-7 loss to the Panthers with a sprained shoulder, Bulger resumed light throwing on Monday. The Rams are aiming for him to return next week against the Eagles. "He's a little sore, but who knows?" coach Mike Martz said Monday. "We may have him, but I'm not going to count on it." That means another week with 39-year-old backup Chris Chandler, whose first start of the season was forgettable and included a career-worst six interceptions. Chandler has played for seven teams, and Martz said at times it appeared his quarterback was running another offense. At one point in the second half against Carolina, the frustrated Martz showed his lack of trust in Chandler by calling nine straight runs for third-string running back Arlen Harris.
Associated Press