Published: November 14, 2009 12:28 am         

Amid plethora of injuries, Colts get good news Friday

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts have been hit hard by the injury bug in recent weeks — losing cornerback Marlin Jackson (knee), strong side linebacker Tyjuan Hagler (bicep) and strong safety Bob Sanders (bicep) for the season while cornerback Kelvin Hayden (knee) and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (knee) are out indefinitely.

The Colts, however, received some optimistic news on Friday. It appears that rookie running back Donald Brown (shoulder) and rookie wide receiver Austin Collie (neck) should be ready to play against the New England Patriots Sunday night.

Brown and Collie have both practiced all week. Their availability should be a major plus for an Indianapolis offense that has been a bit sluggish over the past two weeks in wins over San Francisco and Houston.

“Donald looks good. Donald looks very good. He performed well [Thursday],” Colts coach Jim Caldwell said before the start of Friday’s workout. “[Collie] hasn’t missed any time at all [this week].”

Brown admitted that he’s been a bit frustrated by not being able to play the last two games. While he was able to take part in a couple practices last week, the team’s 2009 first-round draft pick didn’t like missing the 49ers and Texans games.

“It’s been frustrating. I felt like I could play. But they [team trainers and Caldwell] told me that they just didn’t think that I was ready yet to get back out there,” he said. “I feel good now. I’ve had a good week of practice. And I’m ready to get back out there.”

Backup quarterback Jim Sorgi, who has been sidelined the past two days with a sore right shoulder, returned for limited duty on Friday. He is listed as questionable for the Patriots game, as is safety Aaron Francisco. Francisco suffered an injury to his shin in practice and saw limited work during Friday’s practice session.

If Sorgi is unable to play, rookie Curtis Painter will become the primary backup to starting quarterback Peyton Manning.

“I’m not certain [about Sorgi’s availability against New England], to be honest with you. We’ll just kind of have to wait and see,” Caldwell said. “[Colts medical personnel are] not quite certain exactly what the situation is, nor are they quite certain how it developed. It seems like something he’s going to recover from shortly. We’re just trying to get a handle on it.”

Gonzalez, Hayden and placekicker Adam Vinatieri (knee) are all listed as out for the Patriots game. Offensive tackle Tony Ugoh (rest) sat out Friday but will be available to play Sunday night. Defensive end Dwight Freeney was given a rest day on Wednesday but participated in workouts the last two days.

As for New England, injuries will keep defensive end Jarvis Green (knee), wide receiver Brandon Tate (knee) and running back Fred Taylor (ankle) out of the game.

Listed as questionable are offensive tackle Matt Light (knee), linebacker Eric Alexander (groin), tight end Chris Baker (shoulder), linebacker Tully Banta-Cain (groin), nose tackle Ron Brace (ankle), wide receiver Julian Edelman (forearm), center Dan Koppen (knee), strong safety Brandon Meriweather (foot), running back Sammy Morris (knee), safety James Sanders (groin) and defensive end Ty Warren (ankle).

Despite the large number of players on the Patriots injury list, the Colts expect that most of them will find their way onto the Lucas Oil Stadium turf at some point Sunday night.

“Absolutely, no question about it. You prepare for their best, and they typically show up on gameday,” Caldwell said.