SAN DIEGO -- The glint in Terrell Davis' eyes and that magnetic smile said it all.

He wants to play again.

"I just want to get healthy and see where I am," the former Denver Broncos star said Wednesday. "It might not happen again. If it doesn't, oh, well. If everything works out, I would like to."

Davis has returned to his hometown for Sunday's Super Bowl matching the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He gained 157 yards and scored three touchdowns five years ago in Denver's 31-24 victory over Green Bay at Qualcomm Stadium -- a game that brought him MVP honors.

After the Broncos made him a sixth-round draft choice in 1995, Davis began his NFL career with four brilliant seasons, rushing for 6,413 yards and playing on two Super Bowl championship teams.

In 1998, before the Broncos beat Atlanta 34-19 for their second straight Super Bowl triumph, Davis joined O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders as the only players to rush for 2,000 yards when he gained 2,008 and won the MVP award.

Since that time, he has played in only 17 games and none last season because of knee injuries.

Davis, who holds or shares 56 team records, was honored before the Broncos' preseason game against San Francisco on Aug. 19, when it appeared his playing career was over.

"We've never said the "r" word,'' agent Neil Schwartz said, referring to retirement.

Davis had microfracture surgery on his left knee Sept. 21 and said the recovery time is eight to 10 months.

Will he play next season?

"That's ambitious," Davis said with a smile. "I just want to get healthy and see where I am. I'm not even running yet. I am rehabbing, I am getting better."

And he would love to play again for Denver.

"I haven't spoken with them, I would give them first shot," he said. "If they're not interested, there are 31 other teams. I'm sure I could find a home."

Davis is under contract four more years with the Broncos, but nothing is guaranteed.

"I'm fortunate because I was able to reach the mountain top," he said. "Two Super Bowls, a number of Pro Bowls. Even a helium balloon starts to come down at some point. Nobody should pity me."