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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 9:57 a.m., Friday, July 4, 2008

NFL: Colts defense takes a hit

Advertiser Staff and news services

Three defensive starters, including two all-pros, will not be ready to play when the Indianapolis Colts open training camp July 24, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Safety Bob Sanders, the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, had offseason shoulder surgery and a three-time Pro Bowl end Dwight Freeney is recovering from surgery to repair an injury to his left foot that forced him to miss the second half of the season.

Joining them on the sidelines will be Tyjuan Hagler, expected to start at strong-side linebacker this season.

Hagler recently suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the team's offseason conditioning program, according to a report on NFL.com and the Indianapolis Star.

Hagler, 27, started seven games and appeared in five others off the bench last season.

Hagler, Freeney and Sanders likely will be among Colts on the physically unable to perform list when the team reports to Terre Haute, the Star reported.

Freeney and Sanders are expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. The length of Hagler's rehabilitation is unclear.