Bob Sanders News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 7

Indianapolis Star

"Two years ago, it appeared the Indianapolis Colts had the makings of one of the NFL's outstanding secondaries. Two weeks ago, it appeared it was all about to come together. Not this year. Safety Bob Sanders has been placed on injured reserve and will require season-ending surgery to repair a torn biceps, and starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden is expected to miss up to four weeks with a knee injury, the club announced Friday. With the season-ending knee injury cornerback Marlin Jackson suffered in practice Wednesday, free safety Antoine Bethea will be the only member of the projected starting secondary on the field Sunday when the Houston Texans meet the Colts in a key AFC South game at ..."

Colts lose Sanders, Hayden for extended period

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November 6

Indianapolis Star

"Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders will require surgery to repair an injury to his left elbow and miss an undetermined amount of time. Also, starting cornerback Kelvin Hayden is expected to miss up to four weeks with a knee injury. Coach Jim Caldwell confirmed the team will be without two of their starting defensive players, perhaps for at least a month, this morning. Sanders, who missed the first five games of the season while completing his rehabilitation from offseason knee surgery, suffered the injury in last Sunday's win over San Francisco. He sought a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, a noted orthopedic surgeon in Birmingham, Ala., and it was determined surgery is required."

Colts' injury woes mount: Marlin Jackson, Anthony Gonzalez, Bob Sanders

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November 6

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts have placed cornerback Marlin Jackson on injured reserve and filled his roster spot by signing free agent defensive end Josh Thomas. The club also announced that on Thursday wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery to "clean out loose particles" and safety Bob Sanders visited Dr. James Andrews to get an opinion on the left elbow injury Sanders suffered on Sunday against San Francisco. Jackson tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a non-contact drill on Wednesday and will require season-ending knee surgery. Jackson also suffered a season-ending knee injury during practice last year. Gonzalez aggravated his injury ..."

Sanders misses 2nd consecutive practice

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November 6

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts face the prospect of being without Bob Sanders - again - Sunday when they entertain the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The veteran safety missed his second consecutive practice Thursday because of an elbow injury suffered in last Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. "He's getting it evaluated,'' coach Jim Caldwell said of Sanders prior to this afternoon's practice. Caldwell added the injury did not keep Sanders from finishing the 49ers game, but it flared up "a little while later.''"

Sanders may be out

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November 6

Indianapolis Star

"It's uncertain whether Bob Sanders will be available when the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The veteran safety missed his second straight practice Thursday after suffering an elbow injury in last weekend's win over San Francisco. "He's getting it evaluated," said coach Jim Caldwell, who was unable to elaborate on the injury's severity. Caldwell noted the injury did not keep Sanders from finishing the 49ers game but became an issue "a little while later." If Sanders is out, Melvin Bullitt is back in the starting lineup. As has been the case whenever Sanders has missed time -- he was out for the first five games of the season while completing his ..."

Sanders critiques his season debut

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October 30

Indianapolis Star

"After further review, Bob Sanders wasn't overwhelmed with his first appearance of the season. But it shouldn't come as a surprise his 2009 debut -- one tackle and one assist in 31 plays last Sunday at St. Louis -- didn't exactly measure up to his lofty standards. "I'm always real critical of myself," the Colts safety and 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year said Thursday. "I thought I played OK after the game, but when I go back and look at it, I felt like I missed some tackles. "I felt like I left some plays out there that I should have made." It was mentioned the Rams game essentially was a preseason game for Sanders, who missed all of preseason and the Colts' first five regular-season ..."

Colts' Bob Sanders gets green light

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October 24

Indianapolis Star

"It has been the better part of 10 months since Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders uncoiled and collided with someone on a football field. "I'm sure he's got a lot of pent-up energy," defensive end Dwight Freeney said Friday afternoon. "I'm sure he's going to give somebody a lick." The opportunity comes on Sunday, at long last. That's when Sanders, the NFL's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, will return to his normal spot in the starting lineup when the Colts meet the St. Louis Rams in the Edward Jones Dome. He missed the first five games while completing his rehabilitation from offseason knee surgery. "I'm excited, just getting ready, gearing up," Sanders said. "It's been a long time." ..."

Bob Sanders goes through a full practice, seems ready to play Sunday at St. Louis

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October 22

Indianapolis Star

"Will he or won't he? For the first time this season, strong safety Bob Sanders participated in all drills Wednesday as the Indianapolis Colts practiced for their Sunday game at St. Louis. The 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year offered no guarantees, but he was bullish. "Definitely," he said. "I feel better than I've felt for a long time. I definitely feel excited about it and hopefully I'll be able to get in there and get some plays." Sanders has been rehabilitating since offseason surgery on his right knee. He has not played this season and began practicing on a limited basis two weeks ago. Pro Bowl end Dwight Freeney sounded like he fully expects his teammate to be on the field at the ..."

Sanders hopes 'to get in there and get some plays'

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October 21

Indianapolis Star

"Bob Sanders was scheduled to practice today and hopes to play Sunday, when the Indianapolis Colts visit St. Louis. "I feel better than I've felt for a long time," the Colts' star safety said. "I definitely feel excited about it and hopefully I'll be able to get in there and get some plays." Sanders is recovering from offseason surgery on his right knee to remove cartilage. He hasn't played this season and only began practicing two weeks ago. Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Sanders wouldn't necessarily need to practice every day this week to get the go-ahead for Sunday. Caldwell said the team will be cautious and its training staff will closely monitor Sanders' status."

Handful of injured Colts near return

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October 19

Indianapolis Star

"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 ..."

Still no decision on Sanders for Sunday

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October 10

Indianapolis Star

"Safety Bob Sanders practiced for the third time this week on Friday, and the Indianapolis Colts' injury report listed him as doubtful for the Colts' game at Tennessee on Sunday. Doubtful, according to NFL guidelines, means there is a 75 percent chance a player will not play, but Sanders didn't rule himself out. "Not sure yet. We haven't made a decision on that," Sanders said after practice. "If you hear anything, you'll hear it from coach Caldwell." Colts coach Jim Caldwell was noncommittal when he spoke with the media earlier in the day. "Not real sure at this point," Caldwell said. Sanders had surgery on his right knee during the offseason. The 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has ..."

Colts' Sanders could play Sunday

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October 9

Indianapolis Star

"Safety Bob Sanders practiced for the third time this week on Friday, when the Indianapolis Colts injury report listed him as doubtful for the Colts' game at Tennessee on Sunday. Doubtful, according to NFL guidelines, means there is a 75 percent chance a player will not play, but Sanders didn't rule himself out. "Not sure yet. We haven't made a decision on that," Sanders said after practice. "If you hear anything, you'll hear it from coach Caldwell.""

Colts Sanders practices, return uncertain

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October 7

Indianapolis Star

"Bob Sanders has returned to practice for the first time since undergoing offseason surgery on his right knee, but it's still uncertain when the Indianapolis Colts veteran safety will be ready for a game. Coach Jim Caldwell said Sanders participated in the team's light workout Monday, has steadily "ramped up'' his rehabilitation regimen and anticipates Sanders practicing in a limited capacity this afternoon. The NFL's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year has been inactive for the first four games of the season. Asked if there was a chance Sanders could be available for Sunday night's game in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans, Caldwell replied, "At this point, I would not be able to tell ..."

Colts face familiar dilemma: a sidelined Sanders

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September 10

Indianapolis Star

"Once again, the Indianapolis Colts face the prospect of life without safety Bob Sanders, however briefly. The only question is when the two-time Pro Bowl selection and 2007 NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be cleared to join practice, then get up to game speed. "Right now, we really don't know," Sanders said Wednesday in his first meeting with the media since the start of training camp Aug. 2. "I'm not going to get into details about whether I'm playing, whether I'm practicing or not. "As soon as it happens, you guys will be the first ones to know." Sanders is still rehabilitating his right knee following offseason surgery and did not practice Wednesday. So, again, the Colts will move ..."

Sanders noncommittal on return to Colts

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September 9

Indianapolis Star

"Bob Sanders is making progress on his comeback from offseason knee surgery, but the Indianapolis Colts veteran safety was noncommittal today on when he'll return to the lineup. Sanders missed all of preseason after undergoing surgery on his right knee. "I feel good,'' he said in his first meeting with the local media since he reported to training camp on Aug. 2. "It's been a long time since I've talked to you guys, but I'm feeling good. "I'm encouraged about the rehab and everything. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks.'' Sanders hasn't been officially ruled out of Sunday's opener against Jacksonville at Lucas Oil Stadium, although that would run counter to how the Colts have ..."

Caldwell: Sanders in question for opener

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August 12

Indianapolis Star

"The availability of safety Bob Sanders for the Indianapolis Colts' regular-season opener remains in doubt. Sanders is on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing surgery on his right knee during the offseason. He missed 10 games in 2008 after having surgery on the same knee. "I'm not certain,'' coach Jim Caldwell replied this morning when asked if he was confident Sanders would be ready for the Sept. 13 opener against Jacksonville. "I would say that if I felt that way. I'm really not certain. "The most important thing is to get him healthy.'' The team recently discussed Sanders' situation with its own doctors and James Andrews, the noted orthopedic surgeon who performed ..."

Sanders ready to return

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December 31

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts have been here before with safety Bob Sanders, who is expected to return to the starting lineup for the playoffs after missing the bulk of the regular season. Sound familiar? Remember 2006, and the run to the Super Bowl? "Just like '06, yeah,'' coach Tony Dungy said Tuesday afternoon. We'll see. When Indy ventures into San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium against the Chargers on Saturday night, Sanders should be at his normal strong safety position. The league's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year missed 10 games during the regular season because of ankle and knee issues. Sanders still was on the mend from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and didn't play when the Colts ..."

Sanders activated for today's game

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December 7

Indianapolis Star

"Safety Bob Sanders is active and expected to play, but the Indianapolis Colts will be without three starters when they meet the Cincinnati Bengals this afternoon in Lucas Oil Stadium. Among the team's pre-game inactives are center Jeff Saturday (calf); linebacker Gary Brackett (fibula); and defensive tackle Keyunta Dawson (hamstring)."

Sure, he's great, but is Sanders worth it?

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December 5

Indianapolis Star

columnist Bob Kravitz

"Bob Sanders was awarded a five-year, $37.5 million deal with $20 million in guarantees after leading the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl victory after the 2006 season. Now, a year-and-a-half later, having played just 51 games in four-plus seasons, it's fair to wonder if the investment was worth it. The good news is, Sanders has never missed a playoff game, although the safety clearly was diminished in those postseason losses to Pittsburgh and San Diego. The bad news is, he's going to get through this, his fifth season, falling significantly short of a full season. That's a lot of money -- a lot of money -- for a part-time player. Nice gig if you can get it. And heading into this ..."

Sanders close to return, but not this Sunday

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November 30

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts will be without Bob Sanders for at least one more game. The Pro Bowl safety is listed as questionable for Sunday's game at Cleveland, but coach Tony Dungy said Sanders will not play. "He's close," Dungy said after Friday's practice. Close enough, Dungy said prior to the workout, that if injuries kept safeties Antoine Bethea (ankle) and Melvin Bullitt (rib) out of the game, Sanders could play. After practice, though, Dungy indicated Bethea and Bullitt would be available, allowing Sanders another week to heal. Dungy said he received "good news" regarding Sanders' right knee from team physicians and that Sanders "feels pretty good.'' The 2007 Defensive Player of the ..."

Colts' Sanders, Hayden questionable

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November 18

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts will take momentum and a three-game winning streak with them when they visit the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. It remains to be seen if safety Bob Sanders and cornerback Kelvin Hayden tag along. Each did not play in last Sunday's 33-27 victory over Houston at Lucas Oil Stadium. Sanders developed swelling in his right knee after practicing on Thursday while Hayden is dealing with a hamstring injury. Asked this afternoon if Sanders, the NFL's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, would return to the lineup against the Chargers, coach Tony Dungy replied, "We hope so, yeah.'' And Hayden? "Kelvin, I think, is going to be close,'' Dungy said. "He did some running last week. ..."

Colts' Sanders, Hayden questionable for Sunday

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November 17

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts will take momentum and a three-game winning streak with them when they visit the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. It remains to be seen if safety Bob Sanders and cornerback Kelvin Hayden tag along. Each did not play in last Sunday's 33-27 victory over Houston at Lucas Oil Stadium. Sanders developed swelling in his right knee after practicing on Thursday while Hayden is dealing with a hamstring injury. Asked this afternoon if Sanders, the NFL's 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, would return to the lineup against the Chargers, coach Tony Dungy replied, "We hope so, yeah.'' And Hayden? "Kelvin, I think, is going to be close,'' Dungy said. "He did some running last week. ..."

Sore knee sidelines Sanders for today

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November 16

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts will be without Bob Sanders - and three-fourths of their starting defensive secondary - for today's game with the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Pro Bowl safety is one of the team's pre-game inactives. Sanders missed Friday's practice with what Colts' officials described as a sore knee. Also inactive is cornerback Kelvin Hayden, who's dealing with a hamstring injury. The team's other starting cornerback, Marlin Jackson, suffered a season-ending knee injury last month. Melvin Bullitt likely will replace Sanders in the starting lineup alongside Antoine Bethea. The starting cornerbacks will be Tim Jennings and Keiwan Ratliff. The team's other inactives are ..."

Colts Sanders, Addai, Hayden to practice again

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October 29

Indianapolis Star

"Three ailing starters were expected to return to practice this afternoon, providing a boost to a wavering Indianapolis Colts outfit for Sunday's meeting with New England in Lucas Oil Stadium. Safety Bob Sanders (knee/ankle), cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) and running back Joseph Addai (hamstring) were scheduled to participate in the two-hour workout. "If everything goes smoothly,'' coach Tony Dungy said, "they should play.'' Sanders, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, has not played since spraining his right ankle Sept. 14 at Minnesota. He also underwent arthroscopic surgery on one of his knees while he was recovering from the ankle injury. Hayden has missed the past three ..."

Addai, Sanders doubtful for Monday

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October 24

Indianapolis Star

"Joseph Addai displayed his elusiveness in the Indianapolis Colts' locker room Thursday, but it's doubtful it will be on display Monday night against Tennessee. Addai missed last Sunday's loss at Green Bay with a hamstring injury and did not practice Thursday. Asked for a quick interview as he left his cubicle before practice, Addai smiled and grabbed the back of his leg. Then he turned and darted out of the room. Coach Tony Dungy said the status of Addai and three other recovering players -- safety Bob Sanders (knee/ankle), cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) and wide receiver Roy Hall (knee) -- was similar to last week. None practiced, none played against the Packers. Hayden already ruled ..."

Colts Bob Sanders has knee surgery

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September 26

Indianapolis Star

"Bob Sanders recently had arthroscopic surgery on one of his knees, the latest medical issue for the Indianapolis Colts All-Pro safety. Team owner Jim Irsay said Thursday evening that the procedure was performed now so that the recovery could coincide with that of Sanders' right ankle sprain, which is expected to keep him out for at least another two games. "The feeling was the high ankle sprain would take longer (to recover from) than the scope,'' Irsay said. "I think they just cleaned out a few things (in the knee).'' It wasn't clear which knee it was. The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Sanders has missed 26 of a possible 67 regular-season games since being selected in the ..."

Sanders out 4-6 weeks

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September 17

Indianapolis Star

"A high ankle sprain could keep safety Bob Sanders out of the Indianapolis Colts lineup for as long as the next six weeks. That was the outlook provided by team president Bill Polian on Tuesday night in an interview with WISH-8 as part of his weekend TV show. "He'll be back, that's for sure,'' Polian said. "At this point we're not sure of the severity, but I would say four-to-six (weeks) is probably the reasonable assumption.'' Sanders, the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, injured his right ankle during the second half of Sunday's 18-15 victory at Minnesota."

Colts' Sanders says Bears didn't do 'anything special'

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September 9

Chicago Tribune

columnist Fred Mitchell

"Was it the well-devised schemes drawn up by the Bears' coaching staff or precise execution by the players that resulted in the upset of the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday night? While Bears coach Lovie Smith and coordinators Ron Turner and Bob Babich received well-earned credit for their part in the victory, several Colts players seemed to downplay the significance of coaching strategies. "We said before the game that it was going to be about execution and trying to be the team that made fewer mistakes," Colts Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders said. "It's a long season. We have to be critical of ourselves and look at our mistakes and mental errors and big plays we gave up." The Bears ran the ball ..."

Defensive stars return for Colts

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August 25

Indianapolis Star

"Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders and defensive end Dwight Freeney made much-anticipated preseason debuts Sunday in a 20-7 loss to Buffalo at Lucas Oil Stadium. Both said they were a bit rusty. Sanders participated in the Colts' first 18 plays on defense -- he stuffed Bills running back Marshawn Lynch for a 1-yard loss on the opening play. Freeney started and came close on a couple of rushes while playing about 15 downs in an end rotation. "It felt good. A little rust, but I felt good," said Freeney, the franchise's sacks leader who missed training camp while rehabilitating from left foot surgery. Freeney, who broke his foot on a spin move at San Diego on Nov. 11, was not credited with ..."

Sanders, Freeney ready to practice

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August 19

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts should regain some of their stars this week. No, not Peyton Manning. While the quarterback is at least a week away from joining workouts, a defense that has struggled against the run should benefit from the return of safety Bob Sanders and defensive end Dwight Freeney. Each is expected to practice for the first time this preseason either this morning, when the team works out at Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time, or Wednesday when it practices at the team's newly renamed West Side complex, the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. "I'm definitely ready,'' Sanders said Monday. "I've been anxious for a long time, excited and ready to go. "My body feels great. I'm just ..."

Polian reports 'no setbacks'

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August 4

Indianapolis Star

"The Indianapolis Colts took a first step into their five-game preseason Sunday night at Fawcett Stadium without a slew of their front-line players. But team president Bill Polian remains confident it won't be too long before quarterback Peyton Manning, defensive end Dwight Freeney, safety Bob Sanders and other ailing players are back on the practice field. Polian's overriding sentiment as he assessed Indy's medical issues: Everyone is on schedule. "No setbacks that I know of,'' he said. Manning has begun the rehabilitation process after having his left knee immobilized for an extended time following July 14 surgery to remove an infected bursa sac. Along with getting the swelling under ..."