OAKLAND, Calif. -- Deion Sanders is discussing coming out of retirement to join the Oakland Raiders for the playoffs.

The Raiders confirmed Sunday that the club has contacted Sanders about possibly coming out of retirement. Sanders' agent Eugene Parker told ESPN there was no offer made by the Raiders and that talks were in the preliminary stages. Sanders, a cornerback, retired after the 2000 season and 11 years in the NFL.

Yet contacted late Sunday night, Sanders told ESPN.com that the chance to add a third Super Bowl ring to his collection, with an Oakland team that has now won a third straight division title, was tempting.

"Like I've always said, I could roll out of bed tomorrow morning, and be able to cover," Sanders said. "That will never go away. What was missing was my desire to do it. I mean, I left the game on my own (terms), because the fire wasn't there. But here's a team in the playoffs, with a real chance to go to the Super Bowl, and an owner who always wants to win. I always felt like I might look good in that black and silver (uniform), you know?"

Sanders confirmed the discussions had not yet reached the substantive stage and said he will weigh the ramifications of what a comeback might mean to his family.

A source close to Sanders said Sunday night that financial parameters have not been discussed. But the source said that a deal might be struck quickly if the Raiders are serious.

And Parker noted that the public acknowledgement of mutual interest by both parties could hasten an agreement, if there is to be one.

"You know how it is," Parker told ESPN.com. "Once something like this picks up momentum, there's a chance, especially if the Raiders people get really serious about it."

Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen told ESPN on Sunday that Sanders is not available because he is still on the Washington Redskins' reserve list. The NFL confirmed Sunday that Sanders is still on the reserve list.

Eric Allen, a former Raiders cornerback and current ESPN analyst, said he has not been contacted by his former team.

Aside from Pro Bowl safety Rod Woodson, who has started every game this season, the Raiders' secondary has been reeling.

Cornerback Charles Woodson suited up for Sunday's game against Denver despite a cracked fibula in his right leg and was expected to start. Tory James, who has a similar injury and had surgery Dec. 12, could return for next Saturday's regular-season finale against Kansas City, Allen said.

"I don't know if Deion's old enough to play on our team," Allen said of the 35-year-old Sanders. "He's got to wait a year or two."

Quarterback Rich Gannon turned 37 on Friday, receiver Jerry Rice is 40 and Tim Brown is 36. Rod Woodson is 37 and linebacker Bill Romanowski is 36.

And the Raiders believe this is their best shot of getting to the Super Bowl before salary cap restrictions force major changes to the roster.

Sanders said he hadn't made a decision.

"I'm really thinking about the whole situation," he said. "I'm not going to say I have an offer from the Raiders."

How soon would he go?

"I could get off this desk right now and go," he said. "I wouldn't come back for a full season. I would never come back for a full season, because I love my job, and I love you all out there. But I tell you what, it is intriguing for a playoff run, when it all counts. I like that aspect of it."

Later in the show, during a rundown of the playoff picture, fellow analyst Boomer Esiason noted the Raiders have a "tenuous" hold on the top spot in the AFC.

"That's why I'm somewhat hesitant," Sanders said. "Because you've got to understand ... I'm watching Oakland. Because this is Custer's last stand. The old-timers, this is your last stand. They're $45 million over the cap next year. That's why right now it's evident that they do what they must do."

Sanders finished his career with 474 tackles, 385 of them solo, 48 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and eight touchdowns. He also was a standout kick returner.

Information from ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, ESPN.com's John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.