ESPN NFL

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the first time since an earlier meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 22, the Indianapolis Colts' starting linebacker corps will be intact Sunday, with Tyjuan Hagler set to return to the lineup for the key AFC South showdown against the Jaguars.

Hagler, who assumed the starting strongside linebacker spot in late September, has missed four straight games with a pinched nerve in his neck. But the second-year veteran practiced without incident this week and has been removed from the injury report.

That means the Colts will have all three starters -- Hagler, middle linebacker Gary Brackett, and Freddie Keiaho on the weak side -- reunited in what figures to be a physical test imposed by the potent Jacksonville running attack.

Keiaho, who is also in his first season as a starter, returned to the lineup two weeks ago after missing three games because of a concussion.

"It's been frustrating to have to sit and watch, but the guys who have played have done a great job," Hagler said. "And [Brackett] has been a rock, the guy who holds it all together for the unit. But I'm anxious now to get back in there. I'm feel good physically, and I'm ready for the stretch run."

Hagler, 25, began the season as the backup to Keiaho, but then began working at the strong linebacker spot and subsequently bumped Rocky Boiman from the starting lineup. Boiman had replaced regular starter Rob Morris, who sustained a season-ending knee injury in a Sept. 30 victory over Denver Broncos.

When the two young outside linebackers have been on field together, Hagler and Kieaho have been productive, and have contributed to a defense that is significantly quicker and far more physical than it was a year ago. Coach Tony Dungy always preached to his team to "play fast," and Hagler fits the mold of the kind of undersized but explosive athlete the Colts prefer in their linebackers.

For the season, he has 33 tackles, one forced fumble and a pass defensed. He posted a season- and career-best 10 tackles in the Oct. 28 game at Carolina in which he suffered the neck injury that sidelined him for the past month.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer with ESPN.com.