It would seem to be a good sign for the Colts defense that linebacker Dwight Freeney has been able to practice fully on both Wednesday and Thursday after missing the team’s last two games with a high ankle sprain.
Coming off a bye week with plenty of rest, Freeney’s presence and participation level at practice suggests that he’ll be coming off the edge against Aaron Rodgers this Sunday. That might be the case, but Freeney sounds a lot less positive about his chances of making his return against the Packers.
“I hope to play but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen,” Freeney said, via Phillip B. Wilson of the Indianapolis Star. “It’s really a day-to-day deal. I treat it the same way I’ve treated all the injuries. It’s going to be I wake up on Thursday, how does it feel? Wake up on Friday, how does it feel? Saturday, oh, it feels a lot better, maybe I can go.”
It would help the Colts and their undermanned secondary a great deal if Freeney is able to play, even if he’s just available for a limited number of snaps as a situational pass rusher. The Packers have been vulnerable to a strong pass rush and it’s probably going to be the Colts’ best way to throw Green Bay’s passing game off its stride. Robert Mathis has done a good job with Freeney out, but Indy’s chances are definitely improved by doubling their pass rushing fun.