By Charles Robinson, Pro Football Writers Association
Super Bowl XLIV - Saints vs Colts
Not a great deal changed in the health department for the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, as the team held its final practice of the week before Super Bowl XLIV. Defensive end Dwight Freeney sat out once again, making his absence a clean sweep for the week as he spent Saturday's entire session on a golf cart. Cornerback Jerraud Powers once again did light work, and wideout Reggie Wayne returned to his duties with the first team offense, showing no effects of a minor fat pad injury to his right knee on Thursday.
The light 35-minute walkthrough was held in gentle breezes and the mid 70's, and the Colts moved swiftly through their final tune-up. Freeney spent the session circling different personnel groupings in a cart, wearing his standard practice dress, including cleats. After practice, he exited his cart and walked gingerly into the locker room, however his right ankle was not wrapped and he didn't receive treatment of any form during the short session. Colts coach Jim Caldwell said that Freeney had improved since Thursday, but wouldn't comment on his availability for Sunday's game.
"He's better than yesterday," Caldwell said. "He and Powers both are better than yesterday. It's still day to day."
Powers was limited to light work.
Wayne left Friday's practice 20 minutes early after injuring the fat pad in his right knee, but he was available for the full session Saturday. The fat pad is the soft tissue below the kneecap. Wayne has been playing much of the season with some irritation in the pad. But he moved without restriction Saturday, and at the conclusion of practice ran about 40 yards to the locker room without favoring the knee in any way.
With the slate of practices wrapped, Caldwell said he was pleased with the week and that all of the work "went according to plan." Caldwell also said the team's overall health had improved during the course of the week, and was pleased with the slightly varying conditions, which included some gusting wind and rain at various times.
"The weather has been great," Caldwell said. "Obviously yesterday we got a little taste of rain, which was good, just in case we have some. A shower could pop up at any time. The wind has been fairly consistent. We got a chance to throw with the wind, against the wind. That's all been good."
"We've done extremely well and been attentive. The [players] have been very, very focused and our practices have been sharp as well. Overall we've been moving in the right direction."
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Super Bowl XLIV - Indianapolis Colts Daily Report (February 6, 2010) - Colts vs Saints