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ANDERSON, Ind. - Colts running back Vick Ballard spent 10 months working his way back from a serious injury. Now he has to do it again. On Saturday, coach Chuck Pagano confirmed Indianapolis worst fear — that Ballard tore his left Achilles tendon and will need season-ending surgery. "Its heartbreaking for me, man. Vicks a brother to me," running back Ahmad Bradshaw said. "I was taking pride in helping him out a whole lot and trying to improve both our games and helping each other, him and Trent (Richardson) also. Its just heartbreaking for me to see that happen and all I can do is just help him fight through this." Its the second straight year Ballard sustained a freak injury in practice without being touched. Last September, he tore the ACL in his right knee while making a cut in practice and missed the final 15 games. After undergoing surgery and spending all those countless hours strengthening his right leg, Ballard was finally cleared to practice at the start of training camp. He made it through morning walkthroughs Thursday and Friday and a light workout in helmets and shorts Thursday afternoon before he was injured on another innocuous-looking play — falling down as he tried to catch a pass without a defender in the vicinity. When Ballard got up, he struggled to put weight on his leg, was eventually helped to a golf cart and driven into the locker room. Friday nights MRI confirmed the initial diagnosis and the Colts worst fears. "We feel awful for Vick. Hes been a warrior for us, going down with the knee a year ago, non-contact injury," Pagano said. "Same thing this year, the way he fought, battled, rehabbed, and trained to get back, its very, very unfortunate. Injuries do occur. Its a part of the game, its an ugly part of the game." Team owner Jim Irsay attended Fridays practice and provided the first indication the injury was serious when he called Ballard a young player who could come back and still have a solid NFL career. A few hours later, Ballard used his Twitter account to inform fans that he was going "back in the shop" and that one day he would have a great story to tell. Ballard was one of five key offensive players the Colts were hoping would return to form after missing more than half of last season. The list also included tight end Dwayne Allen, Bradshaw, starting guard Donald Thomas and perennial Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne. All five had been practicing this week. The Colts thought Ballard and Bradshaw, who had neck surgery last October, and Richardsons expected improvement in his second season may finally give Indy the powerful ground game they want. Ballard rushed for a team-high 814 yards as a rookie in 2012 and 63 yards in last seasons opener before the knee injury. But his absence creates a big hole in those plans, just as the Colts started practicing in pads. Bradshaw took his first hits Saturday afternoon and survived unscathed. Richardson missed Fridays afternoon practice and sat out again Saturday for "precautionary" reasons with what Pagano described as a soft tissue injury. Fullback Stanley Havili is on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from off-season shoulder surgery. That leaves only five other running backs on Indys roster — Chris Rainey and Daniel "Boom" Herron, who were signed during last years injury-filled season, undrafted rookies Zurlon Tipton and Cameron White and Mario Harvey, who has been moved from linebacker to fullback. Pagano said he and general manager Ryan Grigson are still deciding whether to sign another running back, but acknowledged that Ballards absence gives a chance to someone else. "Were not just going to hand it to Ahmad 50 times today and let him get blown up, too," Pagano said. "So its a great opportunity for those (other five) guys." For Ballard, its another year of grueling rehab. "I talked to him yesterday after practice and hes in good spirits," Bradshaw said "I think he just feels bad that its two years in a row. He loves football, his passion for football is there. Like I said, hes just heartbroken right now." Marcus Allen Chiefs Jersey . THE MICHAEL JORDAN FLU GAME First this famous basketball moment. The story goes like this. “Game 5, known as "The Flu Game", was one of Michael Jordans most memorable. Mecole Hardman Jersey . The Laval Rouge et Or defensive back/kick-returner gained the invitation following his showing Sunday at an NFL regional combine in Baltimore. http://www.prochiefsauthentic.com/Youth-Harrison-Butker-Elite-Jersey/ .com) - Ryan Miller made 28 saves to record his fifth shutout of the season and second in as many nights as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Friday. Christian Okoye Womens Jersey . Off-Season Game Plan looks at what the Blue Jackets may do to build upon last seasons success to return to the playoffs again next year. Marcus Allen Womens Jersey . - This is just the warm-up act for 18-year-old William Nylander.MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins and third baseman Trevor Plouffe have agreed to a $2.35 million, one-year contract that avoided salary arbitration. Plouffe batted .254 with 14 home runs and 52 RBIs in 477 at-bats last season, his second as a regular in the lineup. He had 13 errors. In 2012, Plouffe homered 24 times, but he batted .dddddddddddd235 in 422 at-bats and was charged with 17 errors. Drafted as a shortstop in the first round in 2004, Plouffe has also been used in right field and at second base. Minnesota announced the deal on Friday. Two Twins remained in arbitration: left-hander Brian Duensing and right-hander Anthony Swarzak. ' ' '