PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Elway Says Status Is Still Uncertain

Denver Bronco quarterback John Elway says the final decision on his availability for Sunday’s game against the Raiders at the Coliseum probably won’t be made until that day.

Elway has a strained muscle in his left knee, an injury suffered last Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, sidelining him in the fourth quarter.

Asked if he could have faced the Raiders on Wednesday, Elway said, “I couldn’t play right now.”

Elway, who has sat out six starts in his 12 pro seasons, is officially listed as questionable for Sunday. Although he is feeling better, he is not expected to practice at all this week. If Elway can’t play, he will be replaced by Hugh Millen, who came in to lead the Broncos to a victory on Sunday.

“If I go in there and I’m not effective, Hugh might be able to be more effective,” Elway said. “So I’ve got to be smart to where I’m not hurting the team.”

Elway said he isn’t sure the Raiders care whether he plays, considering that they have beaten Denver in 10 of their last 11 meetings.

“I think they’re really not too concerned about it, because they’ve had a lot of success even with me in there,” he said. “They are probably looking at it as if it doesn’t matter who is in there.”

It matters to Raider Coach Art Shell.

“We will prepare for John Elway,” he said. “I really feel John Elway is going to play. If there’s any way to play, he’s going to play.”

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The Raiders do not expect to sell out by 1 p.m. today, the deadline for lifting the television blackout, but do expect, based on ticket sales, a large crowd. . . . The annual Raiders Toys for Tots program, run in conjunction with the U.S. Marine Corps, will be in operation at Sunday’s game. Fans are encouraged to bring unwrapped toys that will be collected at the gates and distributed to needy children.