Dwight Freeney headed for the elevator in the team hotel, trailed by a few intrepid members of the media.

One focused a camera on his ailing right ankle. Another snapped pictures. Yet another jotted down notes.

No sign of anyone in a trench coat, but that wouldnt have been too far-fetched.

NFL teams are downright cloak-and-dagger when it comes to injuries, giving medical reports a significance roughly akin to state secrets. Everyone else tries to figure out whats really going on inside the human body, looking for the slightest hints.

The biggest question of Super Bowl week: Will Freeney, the Colts star defensive end, be on the field Sunday night when Indianapolis takes on the New Orleans Saints?

This is about all youll get out of Freeney: “Im feeling better.

Late in the AFC championship game, he landed awkwardly on his right ankle and tore a ligament. Now here he is, less than two weeks later, desperately hoping that hell be recovered enough to play in an even bigger game.

Freeney hasnt practiced since his injury. So hes not playing, right?

The Colts werent saying. They dont have to. NFL rules merely require that teams disclose Wednesday and Thursday which of three categories their players fall into: didnt practice, had limited participation or went through the entire workout.

Come Friday, the report gets a little more detailed, with coaches required to assess whether a player is doubtful (25 percent chance of playing), questionable (50 percent) or likely (75 percent). About the only way an opponent – and all the rest of us – really know for sure is if a team lists a player as out.

While commissioner Roger Goodell has tried to crack down on teams that abuse the injury report, theres little incentive for a team to be totally forthcoming. Just say doubtful and youre largely covered if the star player doesnt dress out. Hey, a team can say, we only gave him a 25 percent chance of playing.

In early December, Saints coach Sean Payton said cornerback Jabari Greer was getting better after being hobbled by a hernia injury.

What the coach failed to mention was Greer had surgery one day earlier. Then again, he probably was doing better the next day, so maybe Payton gets by on a technicality.

Freeney acknowledged that theres plenty of subterfuge and deception going on when a teams talks about injuries, especially to key players. Knowing that someone is out can make it easier for an opponent to work on its game plan. Plus, a banged-up player has reason to worry about providing too much information to those guys on the other side on the line. A player with a sore right ankle, lets say, might be vulnerable to re-injuring himself on certain plays. There could even be an opponent with more sinister motives, looking to deliver a little extra blow to the ailing part of the body.

So, Mr. Freeney, even if you knew for sure whether or not youre playing Sunday, would you tell us?

“Probably not, he said with a sly grin.

As Freeney headed to the elevator, he hobbled along with a noticeable limp.

Then again, maybe it was all a ruse, designed to make everyone believe hes not playing.

The Saints arent taking any chances.

“Obviously, we would love for him not to play in the game, New Orleans running back Reggie Bush said. “But we have to prepare like hes playing in the game. Were going to continue to chip block. Were going to continue to do whatever we can to keep the pressure off (quarterback Drew Brees). Thats not a secret.

Freeney plans to test out his ankle during Fridays practice, then see how it feels the following day.

Giving a glimpse into the seriousness of his injury, he conceded that his ankle looked downright nasty the day after he was hurt.

“I didnt even recognize my ankle, he said. “It was huge. It was like a softball.

Freeney provided another possible clue when asked to assess his chances of playing.

“Im not going to say its set in stone, he said. “Miracles do happen.

Hmmm, did he say it would take a miracle to play? That doesnt sound too promising. And when he said the Colts would be able to manage without him, that set off another red flag.

“Were kind of built for the next man up, Freeney said. “Well be fine if Im not out there.

Thats a pretty strong clue.

Or was it?

“My ankle is getting better, he insisted. “As long as its moving in the right direction, thats all I can ask for.

Posted on February 5th, 2010 by admin
Filed under: NFL football news