Indianapolis Colts Lose Dwight Freeney for a While, Race to Find Help Elsewhere

After Dwight Freeney heard "a pop" in Sunday night's action against the Arizona Cardinals, the Indianapolis Colts were fearing the worst.

Thankfully, though, they will only be without their star defensive end for 2-3 weeks.

Still, the loss of Freeney with two matchups against solid offenses raises an issue for the Colts: Can they stop both the Seahawks and Titans with Robert Mathis handling double-teams?

Seattle boasts a new-and-improved running game that has produced at least 98 yards rushing from Julius Jones in two out of the first three weeks, the latter coming against a solid Chicago Bears defense.

As for the Titans, with superstar Chris Johnson and 2008's touchdown fiend, Lendale White, the Colts defense is suddenly very under-manned as they get ready to take on a team with a new identity (Seattle) and another desperate for a win (Tennessee).

However, the Colts faithful shouldn't be too discouraged.

They went into battle against the Arizona Cardinals without three key defensive starters, and still emerged victorious with a 31-10 bashing on national television.

But losing one of their front-line beasts may pose as a more difficult task to overcome.

Through the first three weeks, Freeney had been a big part of re-establishing the Colts as a strong defensive team, as he posted at least one sack in all three games, including two against the Cardinals.

Freeney helped the Colts shut the Jaguars down in week one, allowing only 12 points, while also flustering Miami's Chad Pennington in a Week-Two win on Monday night.

The loss of Freeney only adds to the star-depraved defense that is heading into Week Four's match-up against Seattle, potentially facing the crafty and elusive Seneca Wallace.

Regardless, Indianapolis is known for overcoming adversity, and with a stellar defensive performance while being vastly short-handed in Week Three, there is optimism that the Colts could still head into their bye week at 5-0.