INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Edgerrin James did not practice Wednesday because of a bad back and the Indianapolis Colts running back could miss Sunday’s game at New Orleans.

James also was held out of practice Monday because of the injury, and Colts coach Tony Dungy said the team was closely watching the two-time NFL rushing champ.

“Hopefully he’ll be ready to go, but we’ll see how it goes,” Dungy said. “He was a little more sore today than we expected. We had hoped that he would be farther along. Right now it’s 50-50, but we’re hoping that he’ll be back and we’ll see if it loosens up in the next day or so.”

James, who has 263 yards and a touchdown on 72 carries this season, was injured Sunday against Jacksonville. He had been listed as probable on the team’s injury report, but Dungy said the injury was worse Wednesday, and James was downgraded to questionable.

James was slowed last season as he returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the 2001 season, and only gained 989 yards rushing.

The Colts, however, could see the return Sunday of running back Dominic Rhodes, who has not played since injuring his knee during last year’s training camp.

Rhodes was the replacement for James in 2001 and went on to rush for 1,104 yards that season – an NFL record for undrafted rookies.

Rhodes said Wednesday his knee felt the best it had in a long time and that he hoped to see playing time against the Saints.

“I did well on my stress test, my knee isn’t sore and I’ve been able to take part in every practice for the last couple of weeks,” Rhodes said.

“I’ve been able to make my cuts like I used to. So now I just have to wait and see what coach Dungy has to say about it,” he said.

“I hope that they feel like I’m ready to play.”

Dungy said that with James’ sore back, there was a chance Rhodes could return to the active roster.

“Dominic is closer and could play for us I think,” he said. “James Mungro and Ricky Williams are ready to go and fresh, so we’ll be fine no matter what. But our hope is that Edge will be ready to go.”

The Colts also face injury troubles with defensive end Dwight Freeney and offensive tackle Ryan Diem.

The Colts on Wednesday downgraded Freeney to doubtful for Sunday’s game, while Dungy said Diem could be out for a month with a high left ankle sprain.

Freeney, the team’s top pass rusher, injured his ankle and abdominal muscle against Tennessee two weeks ago and did not play in Sunday’s victory over Jacksonville.

Dungy had said Monday there was a good chance that Freeney would be able to play this week. But that sentiment changed after Wednesday’s practice.

“It would be kind of miraculous if he played,” Dungy said. “I think we’re planning on more having him next week. But we’ll see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Diem, the starting right offensive tackle, likely won’t return until after the Colts’ Oct. 19 bye week, Dungy said.

Veteran tackle Adam Meadows, who was a starter for six seasons before he was unseated by Diem in training camp, is expected to return to the starting lineup against the Saints despite spraining a right knee ligament during the Jacksonville game.

“Ryan and I got hurt about three plays apart,” Meadows said. “I’ll be OK. I’ll be able to go this week. My knee is a little sore, but I’ll be fine.”

Dungy is confident with Meadows on the field.

“He’s played a lot of football for us,” Dungy said. “He’ll step in there and be fine, and we’re not going to miss a beat.”

AP-ES-09-24-03 2051EDT