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Sanders put on hold | IndyStar.com

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The preseason prognosis for injured Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders is the same as it was last year: Don't count on seeing him play until the third exhibition game.

Coach Tony Dungy said Friday he expects Sanders to start practice next week, but the hard-hitting 2005 Pro Bowler probably won't be ready to play in a game until the Colts host Detroit on Aug. 25.
If that's the case, it would be the second consecutive preseason that Sanders has missed the first two games to rehabilitate from offseason shoulder surgery.
"I think he'll probably get some practice time as the week goes on, but I don't know if he'll play," Dungy said. "We're kind of targeting the (third game) as far as getting him in game action."
The Colts have an 11-day gap between Thursday's preseason opener, a 23-10 loss at Dallas, and the next game, a Super Bowl XLI rematch with Chicago on Aug. 20 at the RCA Dome.
The Colts will have 13 practices, two special teams-only, before then. They will break training camp at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind., the day before the Bears game.
Dungy said kicker Adam Vinatieri may also sit for a second consecutive exhibition. The plan is to keep the 12th-year veteran fresh for the regular season. That means more of Shane Andrus, who adequately handled the kicking Thursday and for much of the 2006 preseason.
"We wanted to let Shane do the kicking this game and it may be the same way the next (game)," Dungy said. "We wanted to kind of see what he could do and showcase him and not have Adam kick too much early on. He's kicked a little bit in practice, kicking field goals, but we really want to give Shane a chance to show what he could do."
Dungy said there weren't any apparent serious injuries in the Dallas game.
After reviewing the game film, the coach said he liked the special teams coverage and returns, the pressure put on Cowboys quarterbacks and the physicality of his secondary, particularly second-year safety Antoine Bethea.
Rookie left tackle Tony Ugoh, a second-round pick who is replacing the retired Tarik Glenn, also handled himself well, the coach said.

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