Colts Send Bob Sanders to IR, Season Over
November 6, 2009 by David Kindervater
Filed under Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts two-time Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders is headed to injured reserve. He tore his Herculean left bicep against the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, just one game after he made his season debut from an offseason knee injury. That means his 2009 season (just three tackles and one interception) is over and the Colts will be without one of the best free safeties in the National Football League to bolster their defensive secondary.
Bob Sanders, Indianapolis Colts / Image: Zuma Press
To further exacerbate matters, the Colts also places starting cornerback Marlin Jackson on IR. And CB Kelvin Hayden will be sidelined for the next three to four weeks with a sprained knee. That means the currently undefeated Colts (7-0) will most likely field two rookies—Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey—at the starting cornerback positions Sunday against the Houston Texans’ third-ranked passing offense. Third-year vet Melvin Bullitt will replace Bob at free safety.
I can’t help but think the Colts don’t exactly feel uncomfortable in this position—at least as far as Bob is concerned. Bob has played in a little less than half of the Colts games since he was drafted back in 2004. So, it seems Indy is always having to find ways to replace him. Of course, when he is healthy, he’s one of the best—thus his two-time Pro Bowl status during the seasons he played in 14 and 15 games respectively. But it really hurts to know there’s no chance he’ll return until next season.
