"Safety Bob Sanders, cornerback Kelvin Hayden and running back Joseph Addai returned to practice Wednesday, when the Indianapolis Colts undertook preparations for their Sunday game against the New England Patriots.

"I plan on playing this week; practice today and see how it feels," said Hayden, who has missed the past three games with a knee injury. "Today's the big test."

The Colts do not provide post-practice updates and Sanders and Addai were not available for comment. Coach Tony Dungy was bullish on them and Hayden. Dungy said that if things go well in practice, "they should play."

Sanders has been out five weeks recuperating from a high ankle sprain and arthroscopic knee surgery. Addai has missed two games with a hamstring injury.

Being without Sanders, the NFL's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, has had one upside. His replacement, Melvin Bullitt, has shined. Bullitt has been a sure tackler and capable in coverage, and he leads the team with two interceptions.

It's conceivable that he and Sanders will be on the field together.

"We'll have to get Melvin in the game some," Dungy said. "I don't know that Bob's going to be ready to play 60 plays his first shot out of the box, so I would imagine we'll get Melvin in some that way. But we've got to get some other packages to get him in because he has done a good job."

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne sat out the workout with a knee injury suffered Monday during the third quarter of a 31-21 loss at Tennessee. Wayne missed only one play against the Titans."