Jets' Decker limited; Harris, Nelson, Walls sit

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Eric Decker is hoping for a chance to make a few catches against his former team.

The New York Jets wide receiver was limited at practice Wednesday because of a hamstring injury that kept him out last Sunday at San Diego.

His status is uncertain for the Jets' home game Sunday against the Denver Broncos - the team for which he played his first four NFL seasons. But both he and coach Rex Ryan seemed optimistic about his chances.

''Obviously, it's a day-to-day thing,'' Decker said, ''but I'm definitely hopeful that I'm going to go Sunday as well.''

Decker has been dealing with the injury since Week 2 at Green Bay, but last weekend was the first regular-season game he has missed since his rookie season in 2010. He was a game-time decision after missing practice last Thursday and Friday.

''It was probably less than a 50-percent chance (he'd play),'' Decker said. ''I wanted to see how I felt and it just didn't feel good enough to go out there and do something worse or only get limited reps in.''

Decker, who signed with the Jets in the offseason, has just 14 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns after two huge seasons with the Broncos and Peyton Manning.

''For sure, it's frustrating,'' Decker said. ''It's hard when you're trying to build a relationship and a rapport with a new quarterback and you can't be out there. You're just fighting to get back on the field.''

Linebacker David Harris sat out practice Wednesday with a shoulder injury, but Ryan feels good about his prospects of playing. An MRI exam on Monday revealed no structural damage to the shoulder, which was injured against the Chargers.

''We'll see how it progresses, but I think he'd got the mindset that he's going to play,'' Ryan said. ''I certainly hope that's a fact.''

Wide receiver David Nelson (ankle), cornerback Darrin Walls (knee) and safety Josh Bush (quadriceps) also did not practice. Center Nick Mangold (shoulder), right guard Willie Colon (knee) and cornerback Dee Milliner (quadriceps) were limited.

NOTES: Ryan wasn't pleased with how the team practiced, saying that Thursday has ''got to be better.'' Despite that, the coach disagreed with LB Demario Davis' assessment after last Sunday's 31-0 loss at San Diego that the Jets aren't ''practicing like a championship football team.'' Ryan said he was ''taken aback'' and ''shocked'' by Davis' comments, and added that his team ''always practices well.'' Davis backtracked a bit Wednesday, saying he was talking more about himself as a leader than the entire team. ''I'm responsible for anything that goes on defensively,'' he said. ''I feel like I personally need to give a better effort on the field, setting the tempo just for everybody on the defense.'' ... Ryan on the Jets ranked No. 6 in overall defense: ''Yeah, that's an embarrassment.''

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