Bob Sanders to Make 2009 Debut

It's been a long wait for Bob Sanders. The 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year hasn't suited up since last Dec. 18 against the Jaguars, but he'll be back for the Colts this Sunday in St. Louis. In fact, as of right now, he's able enough to start the game. He's close to finally being recovered from offseason surgery on his right knee.

Sanders, when on the field, is one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Back in 2006, the year the Colts won the Super Bowl, they had severe problems stopping the run late in the season. When Sanders returned for the playoffs, they were -- all of a sudden -- able to stuff the run. That's the element he brings to the defense.

Of course, the violent nature of his play has taken its toll on his body. The bone-crushing 28-year-old is just 5-foot-8 and 206 pounds. He plays like a much bigger man, but his body just can't keep up. Out of a possible 85 career games, Sanders has played just 45 -- due to various injuries through the years.

This year, the Colts' defense has actually been pretty solid without him. They have the top passing defense in the NFL. Sanders' forte has always been run support and the Colts currently rank 14th against the run in the league -- and that's including the 239 ground yards for which the run-happy Dolphins shredded them.

Put simply: if Sanders can stay healthy -- granted, that's one gigantic "if" -- the Colts' defense is going to be among the NFL's best. Team that with their scary-good offense, and this is clearly bad news for every other team in the NFL.