Colts’ Sanders resting, ready to play Saturday

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January 5, 2007

Tom James The Tribune Star Fri Jan 05, 2007, 12:18 AM EST

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s looking more and more like safety Bob Sanders will be in the starting lineup when the Indianapolis Colts face the Kansas City Chiefs in Saturday’s AFC wildcard game at the RCA Dome.

Sanders missed all but four of the Colts’ regular-season games after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in late September. Soreness and stiffness in the knee prevented the former Pro Bowl performer from practicing and playing for most of the 2006 season.

But the good news is that Sanders has been able to practice twice this week, something that he hasn’t been able to do all season, returning for workouts on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was allowed to sit out Thursday’s practice as a precaution, but that was more to rest up after an intensive amount of work the last two days.

“We rested Bob Sanders, but that was the plan. He had two good days of practice. I anticipate him playing,” Colts coach Tony Dungy said after Thursday’s workout. Dungy added that cornerback Nick Harper (ankle) also sat out but is expected to start against the Chiefs.

“Nick Harper did not practice but we still anticipate him playing. But everything else went pretty good and pretty smoothly.”

Offensive guard Ryan Lilja (knee) and wide receiver Ricky Proehl (hamstring) have not practiced this week and most likely won’t suit up on Saturday. Outside linebacker Keith O’Neil (knee) was able to take part in Thursday’s workout and should be available for special teams work against Kansas City.

As for Sanders, Dungy does plan on monitoring his playing time against the Chiefs. Physical conditioning and stamina will be key since the former Iowa standout has been sidelined for so long.

“He hasn’t had a lot of practice time. Conditioning is going to be something that we’re concerned about. We’ll monitor him during the game. But I think that he’s going to play well, I think he’s going to play with a lot of energy. How many plays that is we’ll see,” the Colts coach said.

“We will not error on the side of caution. We’ll try to keep him fresh and give him some rest. But everybody’s going to play to win, no question.”

• Ready to go — For his part, Sanders understands that fans will probably take a wait-and-see attitude regarding his return to the starting lineup. But he maintains that the knee feels good for the first time in weeks and that he is prepared to go the distance should the Colts get on a postseason roll.

“I’m anxious and ready. Hopefully I’m not overanxious, not too excited. Just try to stay calm, do what I do and just try to make plays,” he said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m excited. Real excited. I just [want to] be myself and make plays.

“I’ve said it before, but this time I can honestly say that I feel real good. I’m looking forward to it. I plan to keep moving forward and keep rehabbing the rest of the way.”

• Dungy says no to Gophers again — Despite issuing a “not interested” comment in the vacant University of Minnesota football position earlier in the week, Dungy reiterated his position Thursday.

When told by a reporter that it was being reported in the Minneapolis media that he had expressed interest in the job, the Colts coach offered more denials.

“Way off. Way off. As far off as you can be. I don’t even know how far off I could describe that,” Dungy said. “I hadn’t heard that. But if that is what is being said, that is way off.”

• Manning third in MVP voting — Colts quarterback Peyton Manning finished third in the voting for the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award.

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson won the award, followed by New Orleans (and former Purdue) quarterback Drew Brees and Manning.

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