Knee Surgery Info

 Knee Surgery for Colt’s Corey Simon

 Indianapolis defensive tackle Corey Simon is likely to miss a couple of more weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee, but was hopeful he could return for the regular-season opener.

“It was just that, after the second opinion, we thought it was best to go that way,” he said. “So we took care of it.”

Simon hasn’t practiced since banging his knee Aug. 4.

Colts coach Tony Dungy had only said that the Colts were considering surgery for the former Pro Bowl defensive tackle who signed a five-year deal last September.

Dungy expects Simon to return the week before the Colts play their final preseason game against Cincinnati on Sept. 1 but hasn’t decided whether Simon would play.

“He’s really targeting opening day,” Dungy said Tuesday.

At 300 pounds, Simon is the biggest player on a defensive line that is undersized by most NFL standards. Known as a run-stuffer, Simon is expected to play a major role in the Colts’ defensive tackle rotation that also includes Montae Reagor and Raheem Brock, a converted defensive end who is moving full-time to tackle this season.

Simon plans to sit out Aug. 26 against New Orleans and if he misses the Cincinnati game, it would mark the second straight year he’s missed the entire preseason. The Colts first regular season game is Sept. 10 against the New York Giants.

In 2005, Simon held out in a contract dispute with Philadelphia before the Eagles finally released him Aug. 28. Four days later, the Colts signed the former Pro Bowl selection — hoping he would be the final piece to their Super Bowl puzzle.

But skipping meaningless games does not concern Simon.

“The preseason is great,” he said, smiling. “It’s the preseason, you know.”

The question now is how long it will take him to get to 100 percent.

He reported to camp significantly lighter and admittedly in better shape than last year, and he acknowledged that it would take some time for him to get back in football shape.

“I’m definitely ahead of the curve from where I was last year,” he said. “I think I was playing pretty well, practicing pretty well and keeping the weight off. … The only bad thing is that nothing gets you in shape for football but football.”

Despite Simon’s absence, the Colts got some good news when Reagor returned to practice for the first time since Aug. 3. Second-round draft pick Tim Jennings, a cornerback, also practiced for the first time since being placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list July 31. Jennings had been kept out after having surgery on his right ankle this spring.

And quarterback Jim Sorgi’s injured right shoulder is not as serious as initially feared.

Although Sorgi wore a sling around his throwing shoulder, Dungy said the Colts did not expect Peyton Manning’s backup to miss much time.

“There’s no structural damage in there,” he said. “I’d call it a sore shoulder and he’ll be back as soon as he can but it doesn’t look like anything long term.”

Sorgi left Sunday’s game after just three plays — a handoff, an incomplete pass and an interception that was returned for a touchdown. He was driven into the ground on the final two plays and left for good after the series.

If Sorgi can’t play this week, that would mean seven-year veteran Shaun King and undrafted rookies Josh Betts and Mike McGann could see more action. Should Sorgi be out longer, the Colts may need to add another quarterback to the roster.

“Shaun has played in big games before, he’s been with different teams and in different situations, so I think that’s good,” Manning said. “But we’re still waiting to hear about Jim’s situation.”

James Mungro, the Colts’ primary short-yardage runner, could miss significant time after hurting his left knee Aug. 20.

The Colts also signed three new players — Jason Davis, Phillip Alexander and Mark Word, all defensive linemen. The moves to clear roster space are expected to be announced Aug. 23.

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