COLTS’ FREENEY COULD MISS SUPERBOWL WITH INJURY

The Indianapolis Colts’ underrated defense paved the way for their Superbowl appearance, but it now may have to face the big game against the New Orleans Saints without one of its most vital components.  Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney is listed as ‘questionable’ on the official NFL injury report, and Superbowl betting enthusiasts are trying to determine just how bad his injury actually is.  Some reports suggest that it could keep him out of action altogether.

According to the Colts’ ‘party line’, Freeney’s injury is a high ankle sprain and suggest that there’s a 50/50 chance it could prevent him from playing on Sunday against the Saints:

"He is under the care of our athletic training staff. Nothing we have seen changes our diagnosis that he is questionable. He has a third-degree, low basketball sprain."

The problem with that assessment is the terminology, specifically the characterization of the sprain as a ‘third degree’ injury which by definition means that Freeney has suffered a complete tear of the ankle ligament.   Obviously that’s a much more serious issue that won’t respond by gametime no matter how aggressively it’s treated by the Indy training staff.

Colts’ President Bill Polan has predicted that Freeney will play, but based on his current condition that is far from a certainty.  Furthermore, even if Freeney does attempt to play his injury is such that it could very well limit his effectiveness in the pass rush.  Freeney is using a hyperbaric chamber and a device called an ARP to help expedite his healing.  The purpose of the ARP is to move the blood supply to the damaged ankle, which theoretically will help it heal quicker.

Indianapolis’ players were less certain that team president Polan.  Colts’ QB Peyton Manning gave this response to questions about Freeney’s status:

"It's hard to speculate at this point. Dwight is one of our best players, we know that. But all season long Coach Caldwell has talked about picking up the bayonet. Someone's got to step up. If Dwight were not to be able to go that would be tough, but somebody else will step up and we'll feel confident in whoever that is."

Tight end Dallas Clark added:

"He has had injuries before where they said [he's] not going to play and he has come back. He is a competitor, he is one of the toughest guys on our team and I never expect him to miss anything."

If Freeney’s can’t play or tries to play at less than 100% it’ll severely undermine the Indianapolis pass rush.  Freeney is arguably the team’s best defensive player and was third in the NFL this season with 13.5 sacks.  The current Superbowl betting line has the Colts installed as a -5’ point favorite with the total set at 56’.