Published: December 22, 2006 08:58 pm         

Colts' Addai cleared to play against Texans

INDIANAPOLIS — Rookie running back Joseph Addai went through a full practice Friday and has been cleared to play when the Indianapolis Colts face the Houston Texans on Sunday at Reliant Stadium.

Addai had sat out two days of workouts this week to rest a sprained right ankle. He was injured in the third quarter of Monday night’s 34-16 win over Cincinnati in the RCA Dome. Initial reports had the former Louisiana State star sidelined indefinitely with a high ankle sprain, but Colts coach Tony Dungy was adamant after the Bengals game that the injury wasn’t serious and that he might be ready to play at Houston.

The Colts’ first-round draft choice wore a walking boot while he watched the team practice Wednesday and Thursday. He was able to do some light work with the boot on prior to the start of Thursday’s practice, which added to Dungy’s optimism.

“Joseph Addai worked and did well,” the Colts’ coach said Friday.

Addai, who attended Houston’s Sharpstown High School, leads all NFL first-year running backs with 917 rushing yards. He needs 83 more yards to become the fourth rookie in team history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark (joining Edgerrin James, 1,553; Marshall Faulk, 1,282; and Dominic Rhodes, 1,104).

If he were to go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark, it would be Addai’s first 1,000-yard year since his senior year of high school. He had 1,429 yards on 159 carries and 26 touchdowns as a senior. Addai’s 911 yards at LSU last season marked his collegiate single-season high.

“My ankle feels better now,” Addai said Friday. “They were being patient with me and they just wanted me to rest [the ankle]. But I feel like I’ll be playing this week. We’ve been taking it slow, but it’s been getting better day-by-day.”

Sunday’s trip back to Houston will be special for Addai, who hasn’t played in a game in his hometown since he left to attend college four years ago.

“It’s always good to be playing at home in front of your family, especially on Christmas Eve. So it’s going to mean a lot to me to be playing back at home,” he said, adding that his biggest headache now will be trying to satisfy all the ticket requests that he’s received from relatives and long-time friends.

“I requested 50, but I don’t think that I’ll be using that many. But this will probably be my first home game since I’ve been away from home. This is going to be an exciting game. I’m looking forward to it.”

Needing only 83 yards to reach 1,000 is sure to add even more to the excitement of his return trip to Houston, according to Addai.

“That would be nice for me to get that,” he said. “But the biggest thing is still working on the small things and trying to get better and win the game. That’s what we’re trying to do and if I get 83 yards out of that, I’ll be happy about it.”

Joining Addai in returning to practice Friday were defensive ends Dwight Freeney (shoulder) and Robert Mathis (knee). Offensive guard Ryan Lilja (knee) and wide receiver Ricky Proehl (hamstring) were held out of Friday’s practice, but both are expected to play. Proehl, however, may be a game-time decision.

Safety Antoine Bethea (shoulder) practiced for the third straight day and is slated to return to the starting lineup after missing the Cincinnati game. Cornerback/safety Marlin Jackson (shoulder) had a second strong day of work and is also expected to return to the lineup. Tight end Bryan Fletcher (quadriceps) practiced for the second straight day and should see some playing time Sunday.