Indianapolis Colts Inside Slant
by Sports Xchange
The injury will probably also keep the former University of Cincinnati standout on the sideline for the team's regular-season home opener Sept. 9 against the Chicago Bears. Team officials have yet to confirm or deny the injury or its possible ramifications.
Hagler started seven regular-season games a year ago and was in the starting lineup in the Colts' home playoff loss to San Diego. He made four starts at weak-side linebacker, filling in for an injured Freddie Keiaho, before moving over to take over for Rob Morris as the starter at strong-side linebacker. The Kankakee, Ill., native had 54 total tackles and a quarterback sack last season.
The injury to Hagler could mean increased playing time for second-year outside linebacker Clint Session or rookie linebacker Philip Wheeler.
Session, a fourth-round draft pick in 2007, started against the Chargers in the regular season and had 23 total tackles with two interceptions and a forced fumble last year.
Wheeler, the Colts' third-round draft choice in April, can play all three linebacking positions. He saw work primarily as a backup to middle linebacker Gary Brackett during the team's spring workouts and organized team activities. Second-year outside linebacker Victor Worsley, who was sidelined most of last year with an injury, may also be in the mix.
Hagler could end up being one of three Indianapolis defensive starters sitting out training camp, along with defensive end Dwight Freeney (foot) and strong safety Bob Sanders (shoulders). Both Freeney and Sanders underwent surgery but are expected to be available for the nationally-televised Bears game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
All three may be placed on the Colts' physically unable to perform list at the beginning of training camp.
--The Indianapolis Colts have won 12 games for each of the past five years, including coming away with the Super Bowl XLI title after the 2006 season.
But according to team president Bill Polian, the 2008 edition of the Colts may end up being as talented as any of those squads.
"Where we are right now is as good or better than we've been since we've been here," Polian said recently.
Depth-wise, Indianapolis appears to be in good shape heading into the training camp.
"We're always optimistic and that's usually been borne out," he said. "I'm very happy with where we are, and so is Tony and so is (Colts Owner and Chief Executive Officer) Jim (Irsay).
"We feel good about the health of our squad and we feel good about the depth we've created at various positions. We feel good about the battles we're going to have in training camp for jobs. That's always a good thing. We're anxious to see how they pan out over five preseason games."
If there is a concern among Polian and his front-office staff, it's the fact that the Colts -- like all NFL teams -- will only be able to take 80 players to training camp next month.
"I wish we had six or seven more players, but that can't be helped," he said. "The only worry we have going in is how we manage the roster -- 80 men through five games. Other than that, we'll let water seek its own level and we think the level will be pretty good."
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