Published: November 28, 2008 11:33 pm         

Battling injuries again, Colts may be without starting safeties

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts may be without both of their starting safeties when they go on the road to face the Cleveland Browns Sunday.

Free safety Antoine Bethea is nursing an ankle injury and has not practiced this week. Strong safety Bob Sanders, meanwhile, has been battling swelling in his right knee for the past two weeks. Sanders’ replacement, Melvin Bullitt (ribs), sat out Wednesday’s workout but was able to practice Thursday and Friday.

Heading into Friday’s practice, Colts coach Tony Dungy had offered fleeting hope that Sanders might be able to play against the Browns. Dungy had said prior to Wednesday’s workout that Sanders was probably doubtful for the Browns game and then upgraded that estimate slightly on Thursday.

Sanders did not practice Friday, which pretty much decided the issue. He is listed as questionable for the Cleveland game, as is Bethea and Bullitt. Bethea will most likely be a game-time decision while Bullitt is expected to start. The Colts have veteran Matt Giordano in reserve and could also use rookie Jamie Silva if needed.

Prior to Friday’s workout, Dungy had offered an even possibility of Sanders playing if neither Bethea or Bullitt were able to suit up on Sunday. That doesn’t appear to be the case now, however.

“I think we’re going to be OK. Our safeties are kind of the iffy guys right now,” the Colts coach said. “If Melvin and Antoine, both of them, couldn’t go, there [was] a chance that [Sanders] could play. If everybody’s healthy, we probably won’t play him. But if we didn’t have healthy guys, he can go.

“We did get some good news from the doctors. He feels pretty good.”

Middle linebacker Gary Brackett (hamstring) returned to practice Friday after sitting out the previous two days. Wide receiver Reggie Wayne, who was allowed to rest on Thursday, also practiced on Friday. Running back Joseph Addai was given Friday off to rest but is slated to start against Cleveland.

Offensive tackle Tony Ugoh (quadriceps) is listed as probable for the Browns game while Brackett and outside linebacker Tyjuan Hagler (knee) are questionable. All three should be able to play on Sunday. Center Jeff Saturday (calf) is the only Colts player who has been listed as being out this week.

• Game balls — Earning game balls for the performances in Sunday’s win at San Diego were quarterback Peyton Manning (offense), defensive end Robert Mathis (defense) and placekicker Adam Vinatieri (special teams).

Manning completed 32-of-44 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and had one interception against the Chargers. Mathis, meanwhile, had 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble. Vinatieri nailed his 22nd career game-winning field goal from 51 yards out as time expired.

• Petrowski not sure of role on Sunday — Former Terre Haute North and Indiana State tight end Jamie Petrowski isn’t sure how and if he will be used when the Colts play at Cleveland.

Petrowski, who was signed by Indianapolis last week, was a game-day inactive at San Diego. He probably won’t find out what his role will be until sometime later today.

“They haven’t told me yet,” he said after Friday’s practice. “I’m still trying to learn and pick up everything. It’s a tough offense to learn, but I’m doing a better job of figuring everything out. We’ll see what happens.”