Indianapolis Colts sweat on fitness of Dwight Freeney and Reggie Wayne

The Indianapolis Colts had been expecting positive news on the injury front on Friday after their leading pass rusher Dwight Freeney said that he was hopeful of taking some part in training for the first time since tearing a ligament in his right ankle on 24 January, but instead found themselves contemplating a double set-back. Not only was Freeney unable to take part in the team's last full-speed practice before Super Bowl XLIV but the Colts' leading wide receiver, Reggie Wayne, has now added a fresh concern after aggravating a soft tissue injury in his right knee. Wayne pulled up while running a pass-route towards the end of a team workout at the Miami Dolphins' practice facility and swiftly left the field accompanied by the team's trainers, albeit walking unassisted. Although the injury was not thought to be too serious, and Wayne was listed as "probable" on today's official injury report for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, the Colts will still be frustrated at having to deal with another such concern so late in the day. "He just irritated the fat pad in his knee,'' said the Colts' head coach, Jim Caldwell, afterwards. The fat pad is the collection of soft tissue below the kneecap that protects the underlying structure of the knee. Wayne has been carrying the injury for most of the year and is not only yet to miss a game but also succeeded in catching 100 passes for 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. There was one more positive development for the Colts as the cornerback Jerraud Powers trained for the first time since injuring his foot during the team's divisional play-off win over the Baltimore Ravens on 16 January. Powers, who was still kept out of certain drills, had declared a day earlier that "there's no doubt in my mind that I will play on Sunday", but was listed as "questionable" on the injury report. The Colts' only remaining practice will be a 40-minute walkthrough at noon on Saturday. Caldwell said Freeney "may do'' a little running or simulated practice work between now and then, and despite Freeney's previous statement that he had hoped to practice today, Caldwell insisted: "This is right in line with our plans. He's making very good progress.'' Caldwell also declared himself generally pleased with the day's training. "We get spoiled because we practice so well all year long,'' he said. "Overall, these practices were right in line with what we've done all year, and we're pleased. The Dolphins have a first-class facility and have given us an open-arms reception. We're grateful for it. Things have worked out great for us here.''