Indianapolis ? Edgerrin James, who missed 10 games last season with a season-ending knee injury, skipped the Indianapolis Colts mandatory mini-camp Friday in an apparent contract dispute with the team.

Colts President Bill Polian said James’ agent had repeatedly asked for a renegotiation of the six-year contract he signed after the team drafted him in 1999.

The Colts say James, the NFL’s two-time rushing champion, is breaching his contract by not attending this weekend’s mini-camp and by not making himself available for team doctors to examine his injured left knee.

Polian said he had rejected a proposal from Leigh Steinberg, James’ agent, for a new contract that included a $4.9 million signing bonus.

“No one values and appreciates Edgerrin’s contributions, both on and off the field, more than Jim Irsay and I,” Polian said in reference to the team’s owner. “We expect, however, that he will honor his contract.”

James led the NFL in rushing with 1,553 yards as a rookie and won the title again with 1,709 yards in his second season.

Heisman winner Crouch

nursing hamstring injury

St. Louis A pulled hamstring has reduced Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch to spectator status at the St. Louis Rams’ minicamp this weekend, largely putting the first stage of his conversion from quarterback to wide receiver on hold.

Crouch, who was drafted in the third round a week ago out of Nebraska, injured his right leg trying to execute a slant pattern about an hour into a workout Monday.

Giants draft pick

refuses to practice

East Rutherford, N.J. Third-round draft pick Jeff Hatch stunned the New York Giants by refusing to sign an injury waiver Friday before a minicamp for draft picks and free agents. The waiver states that if a player is hurt in what is basically a walk-through practice, he will be paid commensurate with his draft position. Hatch, an offensive tackle from Penn, said agent Alan Herman advised him not to sign. Without it, Hatch could not practice on Friday.

Eagles’ Buckhalter

suffers knee injury

Philadelphia Running back Correll Buckhalter, who was expected to play a bigger role in Philadelphia’s offense this year, is likely gone for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. The injury occurred at the Eagles’ first offseason minicamp Friday. Buckhalter stumbled while making a cut after catching a short pass and was taken off the field.

Wagstaff condition upgraded

Davie, Fla. Miami Dolphins guard James Wagstaff was upgraded to good condition Friday, a day after he severely injured his left hand when his sport utility vehicle flipped repeatedly near the team’s training camp.