"As the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts turn their attention toward returning from a bye weekend and preparing for next Sunday's game at St. Louis, they expect to have several key players back from injury.

Cornerback Kelvin Hayden and left tackle Charlie Johnson assure they should be ready. It's also possible two-time Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders finally could see his first action of the season.

The oft-injured Sanders, sidelined for 40 of 85 games in his five-year career, is recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee and has practiced on a limited basis for two weeks.

"He is hungry, there's no question about that," coach Jim Caldwell said before the team was given four days off. "I think he's been preparing diligently. He looks good out there. He's moving around. He looks like Bob. So we're all anxious. When he gets comfortable with where he is and what he's doing, we'll get him in there at some point in time."

Sanders, the 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, has maintained a low profile and steered clear of discussing a specific return date.

"As a player, you always want to play, but you've also got to be a little realistic about your injuries and your surgeries and all that," he said. "I'm just taking my time and when I'm ready and it's time to get out there, I'll definitely be out there."

Hayden, who missed the past three games with a sore left hamstring, is encouraged by what he has seen from Sanders."