INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts have performed admirably with two starting rookie cornerbacks, Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey, but they could be getting relief Sunday.
Veteran cornerback Kelvin Hayden, who missed the last four games with a sprained MCL in his left knee, thinks he’ll be on the field against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“Oh, I’m going to play. I’m practicing as if I’m going to play,” said Hayden, who has 21 solo tackles and one interception in four games this season. “I feel confident. At this point in the season, I don’t think anyone can be 100 percent. I’ll take it for what it is. I feel confident in my knee and I just want to go out there and be effective.”
Hayden participated in pregame workouts before last weekend’s 35-27 win at Houston, giving him confidence he would be fine this week, but he’s not sure he’ll start.
“I was just trying to get myself mentally prepared (in Houston) as if I was going to play. It felt pretty good. I wanted to push myself. I didn’t have any setbacks,” Hayden said. “If they want me to go in right away (this week), I’m fine with that. If not, I’m fine with that, too.”
The Colts (11-0) have won 20 consecutive regular-season games and with a victory would tie the New England Patriots’ all-time record. But the Colts must do it against a 5-6 Tennessee team that has won five straight since reinstalling Vince Young as the starting quarterback.
Young has thrown for 1,010 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions this season, and he’s rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown.
“You’ve got a quarterback (in Young), who can actually move around in the pocket, buy time, and use his legs as well,” Hayden said. “He’s capable, and you’ve got to go out there and play your game.”
To pressure Young, the Colts might have defensive end Dwight Freeney back in the lineup after he missed one game with an abdominal injury. Freeney has 19 solo tackles and 9 1/2 sacks this season.
“I’m day-to-day,” said Freeney, whose team has already clinched the AFC South title. “Thank God we’ve got some things locked up, so there’s a little relief there. I don’t know if that’s going to influence things, though.”
The Colts elevated running back Mike Hart and defensive end Ervin Baldwin from the practice squad. They waived wide receiver John Matthews from the practice squad and added offensive linemen Keith Gray and Andrew Radovich and quarterback Shane Boyd.
Backup quarterback Jim Sorgi has a shoulder injury.
Additionally, the Colts brought in running back Dominic Rhodes, who has spent seven seasons with Indianapolis, for a workout Tuesday. Coach Jim Caldwell gave no indication whether the Colts would sign Rhodes.
