Addai May Not Play Against Detroit, but Simpson Could, Dungy Says
INDIANAPOLIS – If the head coach's sense is right, Joseph Addai may not play Sunday.
But Head Coach Tony Dungy said the Colts' situation at backup running back could be a different story.
Addai, the Colts' starting running back who has missed practice this week with a shoulder injury, may not play Sunday against Detroit, Dungy said on Friday morning. But Dungy said reserve Chad Simpson may be able to play.
"My sense is we'll probably hold him out if there's any question at all," Dungy said of Addai as the Colts (9-4) prepared to play the Detroit Lions (0-13) at Lucas Oil Stadium in downtown Indianapolis Sunday at 1 p.m.
"He wants to play. Right now, it's questionable. We'll see how it is."
Simpson, who sustained an ankle injury late in the Colts' victory over Cincinnati this past Sunday, could play, Dungy said.
"He thinks he may be able to play, and that's another reason if we have any questions with Joe, we may be able to hold him down," Dungy said.
If Addai can play, Dungy said he will start with Dominic Rhodes as the backup. If Addai cannot play and Simpson can, Dungy said Rhodes will start with Simpson as the backup and newly-signed Najeh Davenas the third running back and kick returner.
Simpson has returned kicks the last four games, but Dungy said no matter Simpson's status for Sunday, Davenport likely will handle those duties.
Also on Friday, the Colts released their third injury report of the week, with Addai (shoulder), defensive tackle Keyunta Dawson (hamstring), defensive tackle Eric Foster (neck), wide receiver Pierre Garcon (not injury related-personal), linebacker Freddy Keiaho (abdomen), safety Bob Sanders (knee), Simpson (ankle) and offensive tackle Tony Ugoh (knee) listed as questionable.
Linebackers Tyjuan Hagler and Gary Brackett are listed as out.
Addai, Brackett, Foster and Hagler did not practice this week, with Dawson, Sanders and Simpson returning to practice Friday after missing Wednesday and Thursday. Ugoh missed Thursday and returned Friday, while Keiaho practiced the last two days after missing Wednesday.
Sanders played this past Sunday against Cincinnati after missing three games with a knee injury, but Dungy said the Colts' Thursday night game in Jacksonville next week could dictate Sanders' status Sunday against Detroit.
"He definitely can play," Dungy said. "We're going to look at it and see how we want to handle it. We've got the two games coming up. We'll probably see how he feels, but I think at this point physically he's probably ready to go. It will probably be a game-time decision."
Dungy said Ugoh likely will play, while Garcon will miss Sunday's game because of a death in the family.
"He's fine healthwise, but he won't play in the game," Dungy said of Garcon, and Dungy added of the team's preparation for Detroit, "I like where our focus is.
"So far, so good," Dungy said.
