SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Defensive end Bryant Young returned to practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, and the four-time Pro Bowl player hopes to be back in the lineup this weekend just four weeks after spraining a ligament in his right knee.

Young, a 12-year veteran and the only remaining member of San Francisco's last championship team, has been revitalized this season after moving to end following a career at tackle. He leads the team with eight sacks despite missing the last three games after spraining his knee in a home loss to Seattle last month.

He returned to practice on a limited basis in preparation for Sunday's game at Jacksonville. He's listed as probable on the team's injury report.

Though the 49ers (2-11) are doomed to another miserable season, Young is determined to get back in action before it's over. That's no surprise from a player who missed the final four games of the 1998 season with a severely broken right leg, but returned for the 1999 season opener with a metal rod in his leg.

``I don't want to take the easy way out,'' said Young, who was tied for the NFC sacks lead when he got hurt this season. ``You've got to look at it like this: We still have three games left, and there's a lot of areas we can improve on.''Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.