Raiders Audition Kicker

While Sebastian Janikowski remained hospitalized Wednesday for a bacterial infection in his kicking foot, the Oakland Raiders looked at another kicker, former Packer and Redskin Brett Conway.

Janikowski entered an undisclosed hospital Monday night for treatment for cellulitis. The condition in his left foot came to light shortly before the Raiders' game Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden said Janikowski was expected to spend three days in the hospital.

"He's 1,000 percent better," Raiders special teams coach Bob Casullo said Wednesday. "I talked to him last night and he was in good sprits."

The Raiders expected Janikowski, the 17th overall draft pick, to be ready for Monday night's game against the Denver Broncos.

But as a precaution, the team on Tuesday tried out Conway, who strained his quadriceps during training camp with the Washington Redskins and was later released.

Punter Shane Lechler assumed Janikowski's duties in Sunday's game against the Chiefs, which the Raiders won 49-31. Lechler, also a rookie, handled kickoffs and made all his extra points, but missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter.

Lechler, visited Janikowski in the hospital Tuesday night, said he has definitely improved. Lechler visited Janikowski in the hospital on Tuesday night.

"He says he's feeling a lot better," Lechler said. "Just to hear him joking around was better - he was a grumpy guy on Sunday."

Casullo said he wasn't expecting Janikowski to practice again until Friday.

Janikowski missed seven of his first 13 field-goal attempts, but redeemed himself with game-winning kicks over Kansas City and San Diego. Overall, he has made 14 of 22.

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