INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- For the first time in his 13-year career, Cornelius Bennett is lining up against the Buffalo Bills.

At the same time, the veteran linebacker will be making his debut Sunday with Indianapolis, the team that drafted him in 1987 and traded him when it failed to meet his contract demands.

Bennett is one of four unrestricted free agents the Colts signed to improve a defense that in 1998 was 29th among the league's 30 teams in nearly every statistic.

Traded to Buffalo as part of a three-team deal that brought future Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson to Indianapolis, Bennett became a five-time Pro Bowl selection and the only player in NFL history to play on five losing Super Bowl teams. Four of those were with Buffalo.

"It is exciting, because it's the beginning of another season. Thirteen years, whoever thought I'd be playing 13 years in the NFL," Bennett said. "I'm excited about playing Buffalo ... getting a chance to play against guys that I love as friends."

Indianapolis recorded 19 sacks in four exhibition games, half the team's total in 16 games last year.

"We have a lot of potential. We have a lot of new, good young talent. We're coming together as a football team," said Bennett, who played nine years for Buffalo and led NFC champion Atlanta with 121 tackles last year.

Thurman Thomas, Bruce Smith and Andre Reed are the only remaining Bills from when Bennett helped Buffalo become the only team to reach the Super Bowl four consecutive years.

The trio has had great success against Indianapolis. Reed's 15 TD catches are the most by any opponent and he also is first among Colts opponents with 119 receptions and 1,656 yards. Smith has 25 of his 164 sacks against Indianapolis. Thomas has gained 1,230 yards rushing against the Colts, more than any back in franchise history.

Buffalo coach Wade Phillips sees no sign that Bennett has slowed down at 34.

"He could always run, and he can still run. That's his strength. He's got great speed," Phillips said of the 6-foot-3, 240-pound linebacker. "He doesn't seem anything different from when we had him."

Buffalo is likely to test Bennett and his new teammates on the ground. The Bills have won seven of the last eight meetings with the Colts, including both games last year, when Antowain Smith rushed for 237 yards.

Smith gained a career-high 130 on 31 carries in the first meeting, scoring twice on short runs as Buffalo recorded a 31-24 victory. He scored twice more while picking up 107 yards in a 34-11 triumph in the second game.

A groin injury limited Smith's playing time in the exhibition season, but he is expected to be ready Sunday. In anticipation of his availability, Buffalo waived Anthony Gray, its most productive back of the preseason.

In four career games against the Colts, Smith has 408 yards and seven touchdowns on 81 carries.

"The Colts are going to be tough to run against with a new scheme," Phillips said. "Their defense is markedly improved, a lot of it is personnel."

Meanwhile, the Colts must limit the effectiveness of the always-elusive Doug Flutie. Last October, Flutie took over at quarterback for injured Rob Johnson against Indianapolis and completed 23 of 28 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. He was 20-for-28 for 230 yards and two TDs in the second game.

Flutie is still at quarterback, with Johnson as his backup.

"Our team feels comfortable with both quarterbacks and that we can win with either one of them," Phillips said.

BUFFALO Season schedule and results

INDIANAPOLIS Season schedule and results

September 12 @Indianapolis 1:00pm ET September 19 NY Jets 8:20pm ET September 26 Philadelphia 1:00pm ET October 4 @Miami 9:00pm ET October 10 Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET October 17 Oakland 1:00pm ET October 24 @Seattle 4:15pm ET October 31 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET November 7 @Washington 1:00pm ET November 14 Miami 1:00pm ET November 21 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET November 28 New England 1:00pm ET December 12 NY Giants 1:00pm ET December 19 @Arizona 8:20pm ET December 26 @New England 1:00pm ET January 2 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET

September 12 Buffalo 1:00pm ET September 19 @New England 1:00pm ET September 26 @San Diego 4:05pm ET October 10 Miami 4:15pm ET October 17 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET October 24 Cincinnati 1:00pm ET October 31 Dallas 1:00pm ET November 7 Kansas City 1:00pm ET November 14 @NY Giants 1:00pm ET November 21 @Philadelphia 1:00pm ET November 28 NY Jets 4:15pm ET December 5 @Miami 1:00pm ET December 12 New England 1:00pm ET December 19 Washington 1:00pm ET December 26 @Cleveland 1:00pm ET January 2 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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