FORT LAUDERDALE — Defensive end Dwight Freeney did not particpate in the Indianapolis Colts’ walk-through Saturday, the last practice in preparation for tonight’s Super Bowl XLIV.
Freeney, suffering from a torn ligament in his right ankle, did not practice at all this week and is still listed as questionable for the game
Colts coach Jim Caldwell said that Freeney had improved since Thursday, but wouldn’t comment on his availability for Sunday’s game.
Earlier in the day, the New Orleans Saints breezed through their last practice with all 53 players participating.
“You get to this point and your concerns are always the scheduling and the logistics and the travel, and all of that was pretty smooth,” coach Sean Payton said. “So it’s good. At this point, everyone’s ready. It’s been two weeks already, so we’re ready to go.”
RELUCTANT PEYTON
In his 12-year career, Peyton Manning has never missed a game. he traces his reluctance to coming out of the lineup to a game in 2001 against the Miami Dolphins.
The Colts were up 24-20 late in the game when Manning was injured in a helmet-to-helmet hit that broke his jaw.
Manning, dripping blood from his mouth, came out for one play. His replacement, Mark Rypien, fumbled the handoff, the Dolphins recovered and on the next series the Dolphins scored the game-winning TD.
“I have always held it against myself for coming out for that one play,” Manning said.
Manning has played 192 consecutive games, the longest streak in NFL history from the start of a career.
NEAR PERFECT
Tonight’s Super Bowl is expected to be played in near-perfect conditions. The forecast for South Florida is a temperature of 17C at 6 p.m. with clear skies and a breeze estimated at 13 km/h.
ken.fidlin@sunmedia.ca
