Colts safety Bob Sanders‘ value can be measured with or without numbers.

Without numbers, Sanders is the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, a safety who is so fast he can fill a gap and make what should be longer runs considerably shorter. He is a sure tackler who brings energy to the rest of the Colts defense.

The Colts know Sanders’ value; it’s the reason they took steps to rest him when they could during practice. They did not, under any circumstance, want him injured. Now he is. He will be out four to six weeks with a high ankle sprain and with a knee that will undergo arthroscopic surgery.

Interestingly, Sanders’ return could coincide with the Nov. 2 game against the New England Patriots. The injury timeline the Colts laid out puts Sanders on a collision course with the Patriots. But that’s for another day. For now, take a look at Sanders’ value with numbers. It is glaring.

The Colts have played 26 games with him over the past two years, and 13 games without. The Colts give up an average of 18.1 points per game with him, 22.2 without. They allow 121.1 rushing yards per game with him, 163.1 yards without. And takeaways drop from 2.4 to 1.2 without him.

Posted in: Adam Schefter  | comments  |