The Associated Press

Defensive end Josh Mallard (left) and some Colts teammates do stretching exercises during training camp at Terre Haute, Ind. (Associated Press photo) | ZOOM |

INDIANAPOLIS - Edgerrin James expects to play tonight for the Indianapolis Colts, even though he would prefer not to.

Brian Allen will play as much as he can.

After that, the Colts will mix and mash their running backs against Seattle in the RCA Dome, hoping to come away healthy.

"I don't want to be punished because people are hurt," James said with a laugh. "Just because someone is hurt, I still don't want to be the one who has to go out there and do this and do that."

The circumstances might leave James, a two-time NFL rushing champion, and coach Tony Dungy little choice.

After just one preseason game, injuries already have depleted the Colts' backfield.

Backup Dominic Rhodes hardly has practiced since his left shoulder popped out three times July 29. He acknowledged this week for the first time that he's also bothered by pain in his right knee - the same one in which he tore the anterior cruciate ligament last year.

James Mungro and Ricky Williams, who each spent their rookie seasons with the Colts, are out for another one to two weeks. Mungro has a bruised shoulder and bruised ribs; Williams suffered a sprained right medial collateral ligament in Saturday's 20-18 loss to Chicago after coaches asked him to give Allen a breather.

The Seahawks have their own injury problems.

• Quarterback Trent Dilfer hasn't practiced since July 28 because of a pulled muscle in his right side and isn't expected to play tonight.

• Starting defensive tackle Chad Eaton will miss four to six weeks after having minor surgery on his right knee Sunday.

• Safety Damien Robinson is out with a separated shoulder, and cornerback Ken Lucas returned to practice this week after missing 10 days because of a pulled hamstring. Lucas hopes to play tonight as he battles first-round pick Marcus Trufant for a starting job.

"The idea of holding your position because you were injured, as a blanket rule, we don't have that," coach Mike Holmgren said. "It doesn't exist here."

The running-back situation for the Colts has become so precarious that when linebacker Marcus Washington hit Montrell Lowe in practice Wednesday, coach Tony Dungy told the defense that the Colts didn't need any more rushers hurt.

To get through the rest of the preseason, the Colts signed two free agents this week - Lowe, an undrafted rookie from Purdue, and Mike Green, who started two games for Tennessee last year.

How much they'll play tonight is uncertain.

Dungy said Thursday he planned to use James for about 20 plays before giving the ball to Allen and fullback Steven Costa. If either needs a breather, Lowe and Green could get their chance.

CHARGERS: LaDainian Tomlinson had to leave morning practice and was taken to the training room on a golf cart.

"He was dehydrated," general manager A.J. Smith said.

Tomlinson, a Pro Bowl player last year after rushing for a team-record 1,683 yards, still was being treated 1 1/2 hours after practice ended. It was 71 degrees with 71 percent humidity at the start of the workout, but hotter than that by the time it ended.

Coach Marty Schottenheimer said Tomlinson might have had a stomach virus that's been going around, but should be available for a few plays when the Chargers host Arizona Saturday.

BROWNS: Defensive end Courtney Brown, trying to come back from offseason knee surgery, will not play in tonight's exhibition game against Green Bay, coach Butch Davis said.

Brown participated in all practices this week and was expected to see time against the Packers, but he told the Browns on Thursday he'd prefer another week of work before testing his knee in a game.

REDSKINS: Washington signed punter David Leaverton, a 2001 draft pick by Jacksonville who has been with five teams but has yet to play in a regular-season game.

GIANTS: Defensive end Michael Strahan's broken toe will keep him out of the team's exhibition game against Carolina today.

"It's just really sore," coach Jim Fassel said.

Strahan broke the little toe on his right foot last week and missed the preseason opener against the New England Patriots.

Keith Washington is expected to start for Strahan at left end.

Safety Shaun Williams (shoulder), backup safety Johnnie Harris (hamstring) and running back Dorsey Levens (leg) also won't play.

LANE DEATH: The widow of former Colts running back Fred Lane pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for shooting him to death three years ago as he walked into his home. Deidra Lane could get more than 19 years in prison. Sentencing was set for an unspecified date in September.

Fred Lane spent three seasons with Carolina and was the team's second-leading career rusher, with 2,001 yards, before he was traded to the Colts in April 2000.