The "C" on the Avalanche sweater could stand for crutches and the "A" for ambulance.

Starting at the top with captain Joe Sakic, four Colorado players who have assumed captain's duties this season were not in uniform Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators.

Ian Laperriere (back) and Adam Foote (triceps), who have served as alternate captains, did not play. Sakic (back, hand) and Paul Stastny (broken forearm) are on injured reserve.

The alternate captains Tuesday were forwards Milan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth and defenseman Scott Hannan - and none apparently was afraid of the curse.

"Nobody's refused the 'A' yet," coach Tony Granato said.

COMING AND GOING

The Avalanche will be without Foote for at least two more games as he recovers from the triceps injury.

Foote was placed on injured reserve in a move retroactive to Sunday. He must sit out at least seven days and is not eligible to return until Tuesday against Columbus.

With Foote out and forward Ben Guite sidelined because of illness, the Avalanche recalled forward Philippe Dupuis from the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League.

In other injury news, Stastny, who had surgery on his broken right forearm Dec. 30, has resumed workouts at the team's practice facility, but Granato said he still is expected to be out until at least mid-February.