Former Colts DT Ed Johnson visited with the Panthers last week.
Johnson was released by the Colts in October because of weight and effort issues. Panthers defensive coordinator Ron Meeks coached Johnson in Indy and Carolina was likely just kicking the tires to see where Johnson is at mentally. Their defensive line was ravaged by injuries last season.
Reggie Wayne said his right knee "wasn't bothering me at all" during the Super Bowl loss to the Saints.
Wayne was a complete non-factor and even appeared to alligator arm a pass in the end zone on the Colts' final offensive play. But he says the knee wasn't an issue and we believe him. He remarkably hasn't missed a regular season game since 2001 (his rookie year) and we don't see any signs of decline heading into 2010.
Dwight Freeney admitted that the long halftime break during the Super Bowl hampered his ability to play in the second half.
Freeney was a monster in the first half, but the 30-minute halftime show left his ankle "stiff." He tried to get it loose by running on the sideline and getting it re-taped, but he clearly wasn't the same player. He finished the game with one sack and will return next season as a candidate to lead the league in that category.
Colts CB Marlin Jackson (ACL surgery) says he's "fine heading into next year."
Jackson, an impending free agent, fully expects to return to the Colts. "From everything that I've been told, everything I've heard, they want me back," said Jackson. After two straight seasons of ACL injuries, he won't be counted on for a major role in 2010.
Colts RE Dwight Freeney (ankle) is active for Super Bowl XLIV.
Their inactives are K Adam Vinatieri, G/C Mike Pollack, DT Fili Moala, OT Michael Toudouze, WR Sam Giguere, TE Colin Cloherty, DE Ervin Baldwin, and DL John Gill. Freeney is easily the biggest story, but he was likely to play all along. He is also in the starting lineup, indicating he may be able to play full-time.
Colts coach Jim Caldwell revealed Friday that CB Jerraud Powers underwent surgery to repair an "internal fixation" of his fractured left foot after the playoff game against the Ravens.
That would explain all of the street free-agent workouts in Indy the past few weeks. Though he insists he'll play in the Super Bowl, Powers has yet to practice this week. It's looking more and more likely that Jacob Lacey will see the bulk of the snaps opposite Kelvin Hayden. Tim Jennings will man the slot against the Saints' three-receiver sets.
Anthony Gonzalez (knee surgery) feels "very, very confident" about being ready for next season.
"I'm feeling a lot better," said Gonzalez. "The rehab has been a lot longer than I would have liked, but it's getting stronger every day." We still don't know if Gonzalez underwent multiple surgeries or just the one scope to fix his strained or torn PCL. Pierre Garcon is a better fit at flanker and Austin Collie has developed into a slot machine, so Gonzalez's 2010 role is very much up in the air.
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