Bob Sanders's 2009 season starts today

All week the Colts said safety Bob Sanders would start if his surgically repaired knee was feeling well enough for him to play. It is and Sanders will be in the starting lineup for the Colts against the Rams.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell said Friday that he wasn't sure how much Sanders would wind up playing after missing the first five games while rehabbing his knee. That means we'll still probably see a fair amount of Melvin Bullitt in the Colts secondary. There weren't any surprises among the Colts inactives, as wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, cornerback Marlin Jackson and kicker Adam Vinatieri had already been ruled out.

The Rams will have wide receiver Donnie Avery in the lineup. He's been bothered by a hip injury, but was listed as probable and will play. Wide receiver Brandon Gibson, acquired in a trade with the Eagles this week, is inactive.

For the other Rams inactives and the rest of the Colts, head over to NFL.com.