Published: November 22, 2008 12:15 am         

Hayden returning, but Sanders’ status unknown for Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS — Tony Dungy thinks there’s a pretty good chance that veteran cornerback Kelvin Hayden will be returning to the starting lineup when the Indianapolis Colts face the San Diego Chargers in a nationally televised game with the Chargers Sunday night.

The status of strong safety Bob Sanders, however, won’t be determined until just before game time. Sanders has been battling swelling in his right knee for the past two weeks. He was a pregame inactive for last week’s 33-27 home field win over Houston.

Melvin Bullitt, who has a team leading four interceptions this season, would get the start if Sanders is unable to play this week.

“I think Kelvin will be ready to go, He went through practice [Thursday’s] practice and seemed to do fine and was good [Friday],” Dungy said Friday. “Bob [Sanders] will probably be a game-time decision, so we’ll see what happens.”

Hayden has missed the last six games for the Colts after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee after he was injured Oct. 5 at Houston. He has also been nursing a sore hamstring since being cleared to begin working out three weeks ago.

“You’re more comfortable [getting Hayden back in the defensive lineup] and it gives you, certainly, more depth. We actually went into these last few games with just three corners. So that part of it we feel much better about, that we can withstand injury a little bit better,” the Indianapolis coach said.

“We have a chance to play three true corners if we want to in nickel situations. It gives us more of a chance to play dime defenses, so it helps us in a lot of ways. Even more than just getting your starting corner back.”

With Hayden returning to his normal spot at left cornerback, Tim Jennings is expected to move back to right cornerback. Jennings has been the replacement for injured starter Marlin Jackson (knee) on the right side. Jackson was hurt in practice earlier this month and has been placed on the team’s injured reserve list. Keiwan Ratliff, who had started the last three games at right cornerback, will now most likely get work in the Colts’ nickel package.

“Good news. I will be out there on Sunday,” Hayden said after Friday’s workout. “It’s been six weeks and I’m just real excited to get out there and back out there with guys. Honestly, I think I’m 100 percent. I haven’t had any setbacks in practice. No other aches. No other pain. I feel good. I think that I’m ready to go.”

• Petrowski likely to sit against Chargers — Recently signed tight end Jamie Petrowski will probably be a spectator during the San Diego game Sunday night.

The former Terre Haute North and Indiana State standout was added to the Colts’ active roster on Wednesday, but will only have four practices under his belt before the team heads west on Saturday. He is expected to be one of the team’s eight pregame inactives.

“I doubt it this week. [Petrowski’s] learning the ropes, learning what we do. We’ll get him acclimated as quick as we can, but I doubt that he would play this week,” Dungy said. Special teams work has also been ruled out for now.

The last week has been a hectic one for Petrowski, who has been forced to learn Indianapolis’ offense on the run.

“I’ve been trying to read my playbook and learn as much as possible as quickly as possible,” he said earlier this week. “It’s pretty much a work in progress right now.”

• Game balls — Earning game balls for the Colts’ win over Houston were the entire offensive line (offense), outside linebacker Clint Session (defense) and outside linebacker Tyjuan Hagler (special teams).

Indianapolis ran for a season-high 154 yards, led by running back Joseph Addai’s 105 yards on 27 carries, against the Texans. Session, meanwhile, had a game-high eight total tackles with two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Hagler had four special teams tackles.