INDIANAPOLIS -- The Super Bowl champions finally have their top defensive playmaker back on the field.
Former Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders, a key to last season's dramatic playoff turnaround for the Indianapolis Colts defense, practiced Wednesday for the first time since having offseason surgery on his left shoulder.
Super Bowl XLI:
- Complete Super Bowl coverage
Sanders had been on the physically unable to perform list since the Colts opened training camp and had been limited to conditioning work.
"I feel strong, I feel fast, and I'm ready to go," Sanders said before Wednesday's workout.
Sanders is the Colts' biggest hitter and teammates credit him with bringing a more aggressive attitude to the defense, a difference that helped revitalize the team's defense during the 2006 playoffs.
"He's a big part of this defense," three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney said. "We saw him for only four games last year, and he brings a lot to this defense. He really does make a difference."
For three weeks Sanders said he felt good enough to play but acknowledged coaches and doctors were being cautious about letting him hit too soon or too often.
"I think, actually, we've overdone it as far as the time I could have come back," Sanders said last week. "But the extra time did help me get stronger."
Sanders will still face some limitations. He is expected to play in Saturday night's preseason game against Detroit, though coach Tony Dungy was unsure whether Sanders would play into the third quarter like most of the starters usually do for the third exhibition game.
"He brings an energy and a physicality that we really like," Dungy said. "He probably will be on a play count, but I don't know what that is yet. We'll see how he gets through practice this week, but it's probably not going to be 35 or 40 plays."
Even without Sanders in the lineup, the Colts' defense has looked more aggressive during the preseason.
The new starting cornerbacks, Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden, tackled well in Monday night's 27-24 loss to the Bears. The team's front seven also consistently pressured Chicago quarterback Rex Grossman, who helped the Colts look even better by fumbling three times, throwing an interception and taking a sack in 26 plays.
Still, Sanders' return was welcome news for a defense that has already lost four starters from its Super Bowl lineup - linebacker Cato June, defensive tackle Anthony McFarland and cornerbacks Jason David and Nick Harper.
McFarland will miss the season after having surgery to repair the kneecap tendon in his knee. The Colts have not said which knee McFarland injured. June, David and Harper all left as free agents.
Notes:
Dungy said the Colts expect No. 3 TE Bryan Fletcher to miss Saturday night's game. He sprained his right ankle against the Bears. Undrafted rookie TE Gijon Robinson also injured his thumb. The possible absence of both prompted the Colts to re-sign tight end Matt Farvotko, another undrafted rookie was by the Colts just before training camp started. To make room for Farvotko, the Colts cut punter Reggie Hodges. ... Among 11 players missing from practice Wednesday were eight-time Pro Bowl WR Marvin Harrison and third-round draft pick CB Dante Hughes. Dungy said through team spokesman Craig Kelley they were excused to tend to personal matters. ... Trent Shelton, the Colts leading receiver Monday night with five catches for 49 yards, also missed practice with the flu.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press