Colts' James held out of practice but upgraded to questionable for Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts running back Edgerrin James was upgraded from doubtful to questionable for this week's game against Green Bay despite missing Wednesday's practice.\nCoach Tony Dungy said James worked out earlier in the day but was held out of the afternoon practice. Dungy said Thursday's practice could help clear up James' playing status.\n"I would not anticipate him playing, but if he practices tomorrow, that would be a step toward playing," Dungy said. "If he can't practice, that will tell us something else."\nJames was injured on a 30-yard touchdown run that sealed the Colts' 31-17 victory at Tennessee last Sunday. After the game, James said he was fine. But an MRI taken Monday revealed damage, and Dungy said it was doubtful he would play.\nLess than four hours later, James was running through light drills on the practice field and said he still hoped to play against the Packers. James was not available to reporters Wednesday.\nThe Colts (1-1) were making contingency plans, though.\nIf James does not start, Dominic Rhodes will. Rhodes rushed for 1,104 yards -- an NFL record for undrafted rookies -- when he replaced James for the final 10 games of the 2001 season.\n"I don't know what's going to happen, Edge says he's feeling great," Rhodes said. "He knows I'm excited, I want to get that chance and I'm ready to help out."\nThe Colts also announced Wednesday they signed running back Ran Carthon and defensive back Gerome Sapp to their active roster.\nTo make room, the Colts released quarterback Joe Hamilton and fullback Tom Lopienski, then re-signed both back to the practice squad. They also released defensive backs Vontez Duff and Waine Bacon from the practice squad.\nDungy said Carthon, whose father, Maurice, is the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator, was re-signed because of James' injury. The Colts had released Carthon in the team's final cutdown and he had been on the Cowboys' practice squad.\n"Hopefully, I'll find something to do on this team that will make them want to keep me," he said Wednesday. "I hate uncertainty."\nIt's been a circuitous trek for Carthon, who has spent so much time on the road he's hardly had time to unpack. By signing him off the practice squad, Carthon is required to be on the Colts' active roster for at least three weeks.\nDungy said releasing Carthon before the regular-season started was one of the team's toughest decisions.\n"We liked him, he knows the offense and we're glad he's back," Dungy said.\nSapp played at Notre Dame and was a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. He played in 14 games last season, recording 17 tackles and one fumble recovery for the Ravens' special teams unit. He was waived by Baltimore Sept. 16.\nSapp helps solidify a secondary ravaged by injuries. Starting safety Mike Doss missed last week's game with a pulled right hamstring and is listed as questionable this week.\nCornerback Joseph Jefferson has not played or practiced since having knee surgery Aug. 30.\nSecond-round draft pick Bob Sanders, the Colts' top pick, still has not practiced after recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot.\nAnd both starting cornerbacks, Donald Strickland and Nick Harper, are listed on this week's injury report. Strickland is listed as probable but was limited in Wednesday's practice with a right shoulder injury. Harper missed practiced Wednesday for personal reasons.\nEven newly signed defensive back Mike Echols, a practice squad player, couldn't avoid the injury bug. He left practice early Wednesday with what Dungy called a heat-related problem.\nDungy does expect tight end Dallas Clark to play Sunday. Clark bruised his thigh against Tennessee and missed the Colts' last two practices but is expected to work out with the team Thursday.\n"I anticipate him playing in the game," Dungy said.