The Indianapolis Colts Can Overcome Losing Freeney on Sunday

Even if defensive end Dwight Freeney is unable to participate in Super Bowl XLIV against the New Orleans Saints, it should not hamper the Indianapolis Colts chances come Sunday.

While the interior of the Colts defense will surely miss Freeney's 13.5 sacks and leadership on the field, if his injured right ankle sidelines him, Indianapolis has shown it is capable of dealing with injuries to key members of their team.

Veteran lineman Reheem Brock will likely get the start for Freeney if he can't go or be asked to pick up the load if Freeney plays, but is limited.

The Colts have been hit hard by the injury bug throughout 2009. The list includes losing cornerback Marlin Jackson, linebacker Tyjuan Hagler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders for the remainder of the regular season. Cornerback Kelvin Hayden and slot receiver Anthony Gonzalez also were placed on injured reserve.

Even veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri will not play in the Super Bowl due to injury. He will be replaced by Matt Stover.

Not to mention Marvin Harrison, the team's all-time leading receiver, left as a free-agent after 13 seasons in Indianapolis. Although not an injury, it was still a void the franchise had to overcome entering the year.

A mix of rookies and those only a few years removed from the college gridiron were inserted by head coach Jim Caldwell to fill the voids that remained. 

Even with the injuries, the Colts won their first 14 games. This was a remarkable accomplishment, as the injury report seemed to never stop growing.

While the Colts still relied on quarterback Peyton Manning, wide receiver Reggie Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark for the bulk of their production on offense, second-year receiver Pierre Garcon stepped up in Harrison's old role to catch 51 passes, record 788 yards and score four touchdowns.

In the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets, Garcon, a sixth-round draft pick out of tiny Mount Union, broke the record for most receptions in the conference title game with 11 catches, 151 yards and a touchdown.

Brigham Young rookie Austin Collie was a revelation for the Colts making 60 catches, for 676 yards and seven touchdowns (leading all first-year receivers).

On the defensive side of the ball, Jacob Lacey, an undrafted rookie cornerback, was thrust into a starting role midway through the season for Indianapolis, replacing Jackson in the secondary.

Lacey totaled 23 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Fellow rookie defender, Jerraud Powers, started 12 games and racked up 66 tackles along with an interception. Powers and Lacey helped the Colts defense rank third in yards per pass attempt and eighth in scoring defense.

The Colts are 9-3 when Freeney has not played. So the idea that the Colts do not stand a chance Sunday without him should be discarded.