Colts might lose safety Sanders for six weeks, possibly longer

The 2007 defensive player of the year sprained his right ankle last weekend against the Vikings.

Associated Press

Last update: September 17, 2008 - 10:51 PM

Tony Dungy doesn’t doubt Bob Sanders will be back in the Colts lineup this season. He’s just not sure how long Sanders will be out.

The 2007 defensive player of the year could miss up to six weeks after spraining his right ankle last weekend against the Vikings, and team officials are contemplating whether Sanders might need arthroscopic surgery on his knee, too.

“It’s kind of similar to [receiver] Roy Hall’s injury,” Dungy said. “He had his knee scoped, too, so he’s going to be out a while longer. If it’s going to be two or three weeks, then it makes sense to get it scoped. But [defensive tackle] Keyunta Dawson had the same kind of thing and he told me he was going to practice today, so we’re not really sure.”

Apparently, those plans changed, too. Dawson did not practice Wednesday.

Sanders’ likely replacement is second-year safety Melvin Bullitt, who made the team last year as an undrafted free agent.

Two Raiders RBs hurting
The Oakland Raiders showed how potent their running game can be this season when they posted their first 300-yard performance in more than two decades in the second game of the season.

Repeating that this week could be tougher with the top two running backs Justin Fargas and Darren McFadden slowed by injuries.

The two missed practice on Wednesday as preparations began for Sunday’s game at Buffalo. McFadden watched practice with a protective boot on his right foot to protect his turf toe injury. Fargas also was on the sideline because of a groin injury.

The injury to Fargas is more serious and the Raiders are not optimistic about his chances to play against the Bills.

“It doesn’t look very good right now,” coach Lane Kiffin said. “The sooner he can get back, the better for us.”

Seattle to play Robinson
Koren Robinson’s return to the Seahawks will begin immediately as both a wide receiver and a kick returner.

Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said the team’s former No. 1 draft choice, reacquired on Tuesday, will play Sunday against St. Louis, perhaps in both roles.

Robinson hasn’t played since January’s NFC Championship Game for the Green Bay Packers. He was out of football at home in North Carolina until the Seahawks gave him a one-year contract to help offset injuries to six wide receivers.

Etc.
• Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer walked without a limp Wednesday, an indication that his sprained left ankle is doing fine. The Bengals (0-2) have scored only one touchdown — that coming on a running play — and Palmer has the league’s lowest passer rating at 37.1 with three interceptions and only 228 yards total.

• Two-time Pro Bowl guard Shawn Andrews of the Eagles is questionable this week because of back spasms. Andrews was injured against the Cowboys. Max Jean-Gilles would get the start if Andrews can’t play.