INDIANA NEWS

He's heard about how Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson has been slowed by an injured toe and hasn't been playing well. Or that the San Diego defense isn't been as good without injured outside linebacker Shawne Merriman in the lineup.

But he doesn't believe it. Not for a second.

"We're going to have our hands full, as we always do when we play them. We have to get ready for a tough, physical game," Dungy said.

San Diego, he says, is more talented than its 4-6 record shows. And after watching video of the Chargers' previous games, Dungy doesn't see much difference from the teams in past years. San Diego has lost three games by three points or less, one by five points and one by seven points.

"The thing that you see, which is pretty much what the NFL is, are the close games. They've had three or four games that haven't been close, that they've won their share. In the Jets game and the New England game, you couldn't look much better than they have looked," Dungy said.

Dungy sees parallels with the 6-4 Colts' performance earlier this season.

"In the close games, you have to find a way to win them in the fourth quarter. They've had one-point games and two-point games that they've haven't won that they won last year. That's really the difference in their record. They're playing about the same."

The same goes for Tomlinson, who has rushed for 686 yards and five touchdowns this season.

"I hear a lot of rhetoric about L.T. and when I see the cuts and I see him make people miss and freeze guys in the open field," he said. "He looks like the same guy to me."

But Dungy doesn't see the need for any major adjustments against the Chargers Sunday.

"There's nothing you can do but go back and play a little bit better next time. Does last year's game really impact this year? Not really," he said.

Strong safety Bob Sanders (knee) sat out a second day of practice Thursday, but Dungy said no decision on his availability for the San Diego game is expected until Saturday. Cornerback Kelvin Hayden, who has missed the last five games due to knee surgery and a sore hamstring, saw limited work on Thursday. His status won't be known until the end of the week.

Safety Melvin Bullitt missed Thursday's practice due to illness but is expected to play Sunday. Bullitt has a team-leading four interceptions this season while filling in for Sanders. Wide receiver Roy Hall (knee) also did not practice.