There's never a good time to have half of your defensive backfield hurt, but having it happen immediately before facing the Houston Texans' powerful passing attack is close to the worst possible situation during the regular season. But that is exactly what's happening in Indianapolis. News broke Thursday that Marlin Jackson would be out for the season with a torn ACL -- for the second consecutive year. Friday, the Colts learned that Bob Sanders needs surgery to repair his injured elbow -- which will end his season, according to Adam Shefter of ESPN -- and that starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden has been definitively ruled out for Sunday's game as well.
This means that the Colts are left with Antoine Bethea, Melvin Bullitt, Jacob Lacey and Jerraud Powers to deal with the mighty Texans pass offense this Sunday in Lucas Oil Stadium. Though the Texans will be without star tight end Owen Daniels, they have plenty of weapons in Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones, Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats.
Hayden will reportedly miss up to four weeks with a knee injury.
Sanders, the oft-injured former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is apparently having surgery to clean up some lingering issues in his elbow. For now, the Colts are saying he's out for an undetermined amount of time. Some reports say he'll miss at least a month while Shefter broke the news that he'll miss the rest of 2009. The Colts are certainly used to playing without him, as he's only suited up twice this year after missing 10 games last year. It's a real shame Sanders can't keep himself healthy, because he is a punishing player. Apparently he punishes his own body more than opponents.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
11-06-2009 @ 2:09PM
sutton2b said...
Time for the defensive reserves to step up. And stay healthy.
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11-06-2009 @ 4:15PM
Mike said...
As a die hard Pats fan, I hate to see this. He's an amazing player and one of the few players who can instantly make an entire defense a whole lot better. I want the Colts at full strength when the Pats meet them next week, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. It's become a great rivalry and I hope that in spite of injuries to both sides, it proves to be another great match up.
11-06-2009 @ 8:15PM
James said...
Mike, agree. Big Pats fan also, but hate to hear of any player getting hurt and out for the season or end their careers. It's a brutal sport. Football players have a lot of respect for each other, and I've got a lot of respect for the Colts. Love the rivalry.
11-06-2009 @ 8:53PM
Glenn20 said...
Some classy comments by Pats fans. Not like clapping and cheering that took place on these blogs when Brady got hurt.
11-06-2009 @ 3:26PM
Andy said...
Melvin Bullitt needs to be placed on the pro bowl ballot instead of Sanders anyways,he`s done an awsome job this year in his place.If Powers and Lacy stay healthy the Colts defense won`t miss a beat.Peyton & company will just turn it up a notch and light the scoreboard up! Go Colts!!
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11-06-2009 @ 3:46PM
mitchstill said...
Bob Sanders is a Chump the Colts have Won all year with out him, So whats the problem. I say trade his ass for that chump ass running Back that Kansas wants to get rid of.
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11-07-2009 @ 2:20AM
Skiddz said...
Wow. Keep your rage comments to yourself. Eat more fish while you're at it, if you can't remember all the great plays that Sanders did before.
11-07-2009 @ 3:36AM
dunkallday said...
Yeah, like Larry Johnson is just what Indy needs....doh!
11-09-2009 @ 9:46AM
carlastar26 said...
No way can anyone argure that Bob Sanders is not a playmaker. Always comes up with something when he's in. Remember Super Bowl???? Class act player and role model. Made his mark already. Will be remembered for years as one of the greats on AND OFF the field.
11-06-2009 @ 5:15PM
bobbren1 said...
Like no other team in the NFL has injuries....they always play it up so big when the Colts have an injury.
It shouldn't matter anyway according to ESPN Manning wills his team to win and he should be MVP once again because the team is nothing without him....Right he has some of the best WR in the NFL as well as front line protecting him.
He couldn't win crap if he had some of the no name players others have had to win Superbowls with.
Or maybe he would....maybe he would not choke all the time.
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11-06-2009 @ 5:31PM
Rik said...
When you play in the NFL with the wreckless abandon and KamaKasi attitude that Sanders plays with, it's a wonder he's not in a Wheelchair by now.
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11-06-2009 @ 6:32PM
joserydesagain said...
Adam Shefter is the Geraldo of the sports world. He never reports about the good things, just about the bad.... A lot of the NFL teams have cut him off.... even Al Davis of the Raiders....
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11-06-2009 @ 8:40PM
magicdog39 said...
Who cares! Baltimore Colts Fan from 1970, before, and after...........ect!
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11-06-2009 @ 8:53PM
Simbastwins said...
Speaking as a Hoosier...who cares?! We have gotten through most of our last 3 seasons without Bob Sanders. He is a waste of a position. Other players are stepping in and filling in quite nicely for Sanders, Jackson, and others m.i.a. I say dump him and get a player who will actually, I don't know, PLAY for the freakin' team.
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11-06-2009 @ 9:04PM
JOGGER123 said...
Time for the Texans to kick ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We've been a waiting.........
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11-06-2009 @ 9:16PM
Kefkanigma said...
Perfect time for the Texan's to beat Indy. Texan's have never won in Indy...and they will go home on Sunday losers again. This is their last chance to win before Manning enters the hall of fame. Colts win again without a secondary.
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11-06-2009 @ 10:55PM
Wish Belkin said...
Great player and great human being. This is sad.
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11-06-2009 @ 11:05PM
Andy said...
Yeah its about time,Texans have drafted #1`s in the top 10 since there existence and what have they won!Nothing.. This years Colts team with coach Caldwell and Coyers defense is different,and not the team all the experts predicted to fall on their face during the offseason.Line `em up, bring `em on and watch `em fall.Go Colts!!
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11-07-2009 @ 1:09AM
mikado818 said...
what a puss. play rest out its only his ebow, football are wimps now. if they said u have to play to get payed he would play can u say puss
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11-07-2009 @ 2:24AM
Skiddz said...
Do you think every other player who sits out because of lingering injuries are wimps also? It's not called being a pussy, it's called being smart.
People tend to confuse the two a lot, and they can do that is beyond me.