IN BRIEF

PRO FOOTBALL

Chargers' Tomlinson, Gates miss practice

Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates missed a second straight practice Thursday as San Diego continued to prepare for its home wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday.

It sounds as if Tomlinson (strained groin) is in better shape than Gates (sprained ankle).

"If we were playing today, he (Gates) probably wouldn't play," coach Norv Turner said.

And Tomlinson? "Yeah, I think he would," Turner said.

"Both of them are a lot better than they have been," Turner said. "It really will be a Saturday decision, how they feel. We'll get them out there and run around and see how they feel. I'm optimistic about both of them."

Also: The NFL has granted a second, final 24-hour extension of its TV blackout deadline for the Arizona Cardinals' wild-card playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday in Glendale.

The Cardinals have until 1:30 p.m. today to sell the remaining 3,700 tickets. A sellout crowd is necessary for the NFL to lift its blackout of the home TV market.

The Minnesota Vikings reported 8,000 tickets remained at noon New Year's Day for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL has granted an extension until 1:30 p.m. today to reach a sellout.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Terry Bowden named North Alabama coach

Terry Bowden was formally introduced as coach of Division II power North Alabama.

Bowden, 52, has been out of coaching for a decade and is currently a broadcaster for Westwood One Radio and a college football writer for Yahoo Sports. He also does a heavy slate of speaking engagements.

The Lions have had four consecutive seasons with at least 10 wins and are coming off a national semifinal appearance. Coach Mark Hudspeth left to become an assistant under new Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen.

Also: Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman is expected to announce that he's skipping his senior season to enter the NFL Draft.

A person with knowledge of Freeman's decision told The Associated Press, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly, that the school planned to make an announcement today.

Freeman, a 6-foot-6-inch junior, has Kansas State career records with 680 completions, 8,078 yards and 44 touchdowns. He threw for 2,945 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2008 and ran for 404 yards and 14 scores.

California coach Jeff Tedford has agreed to a two-year contract extension that takes him through the 2015 season.

Tulsa coach Todd Graham has agreed to a new 10-year contract that could keep him with the Golden Hurricane through the 2018 season.

MISCELLANEOUS

Bishop Gorman seniors to play in all-star games

Four Bishop Gorman High School seniors are set to play in postseason all-star football games this weekend.

Defensive end Justin Chaisson, who has orally committed to Oklahoma, will play in Sunday's Under Armour All-America Game at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., at 5 p.m. on ESPN.

Cornerback Charles Childers, safety John Therrell and offensive tackle Sam Womack will play in today's Offense-Defense All-American Bowl at Coastal Carolina's Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C., at 2 p.m. on Fox College Sports.

Childers and Therrell have committed to UNLV. Womack has yet to decide but has drawn interest from Navy, Oregon and UNLV, Gorman coach Bob Altshuler said.

Also: Andy Murray defeated James Blake 6-2, 6-2 to set up a semifinal meeting with Roger Federer at the inaugural Capitala World Tennis Championship at Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Nikolay Davydenko ousted Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-4 in the other first-round match and will face Rafael Nadal in today's other semifinal. Nadal and Federer received first-round byes in the exhibition event.

In Summation won the $100,000 El Conejo Handicap for the second consecutive year, defeating Machismo by a length, at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif. Ridden by Rafael Bejarano, In Summation covered five furlongs in 1:02.58 and paid $4.40 and $2.60.

Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Tanguay will miss six weeks after injuring his left shoulder Tuesday against Tampa Bay. Tanguay has scored 10 goals and is third on the team with 26 points.