FanPost

The Truth About Freeney: low third degree sprain



From a recent NFL.com report:

All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney is in serious jeopardy of missing Super Bowl XLIV because of a right ankle injury, a source with knowledge of the situation told NFL Network's Jason La Canfora on Sunday.

Freeney is dealing with considerable ligament damage in the ankle, the source said, and appears doubtful to recover in time for next Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints. However, a Colts spokesman said Freeney has a "low, third-degree ankle injury, similar to a basketball injury" and that the team considers him questionable to play.

Super Bowl XLIV: Saints vs. Colts
Sunday, 6 p.m. ET (CBS)

The same Colts spokesman told the Associated Press that Freeney was being treated in Florida.

"Dwight told me he'll be ready," Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne said Sunday on NFL Network, just before the start of the Pro Bowl.

Wayne also added that Freeney has been working hard to rehabilitate his ankle. Colts tight end Dallas Clark echoed that sentiment but said he didn't know much about Freeney's status.

Colts coach Jim Caldwell and team president Bill Polian said earlier in the week that they were hopeful Freeney would play against the Saints.

"It's hard to speculate at this point," Colts quarterback Peyton Manning said Sunday during ESPN's Pro Bowl broadcast. "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."

Freeney injured his ankle with about two minutes remaining in last Sunday's AFC Championship Game. He was rushing New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez when he pulled up and hopped toward the Colts' sideline.

Freeney has dealt with numerous injuries the past three years and hasn't played a complete season since 2006, the last time the Colts won the Super Bowl. He has posted double-digit sack totals in the last two seasons (10.5 in 2008, 13.5 in 2009) despite the health issues.

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

Freeney made the Pro Bowl this season for the fifth time in his career, but he wasn't eligible to play in the all-star game because the Colts made the Super Bowl.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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