INDIANAPOLIS — Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney sprained his right ankle late in the AFC championship game but is expected to play in the Super Bowl.
Freeney was hurt on a pass rush with about 2 minutes left Sunday. Colts president Bill Polian told radio listeners Monday night Freeney should play against the Saints.
Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne had swelling in one of his knees and may miss some practice this week but should be ready in two weeks. Polian did not say which knee Wayne hurt.
Safety Antoine Bethea (back) and running back Donald Brown (toe) were also hurt Sunday and should play against New Orleans. Polian was less certain about the status of cornerback Jerraud Powers, who sat out Sunday with a left foot injury.
Favre, Williams ponder retirement.
Favre isn’t the only star player who could retire from the Vikings.
Defensive tackle Pat Williams said he’s “50-50” on whether he’ll return for the final year of his contract. At 37, Williams is the second-oldest player on the team behind Favre, 40.
The three-time Pro Bowl pick said he feels fine physically, but is mentally “drained” after a devastating end to his 13th NFL season.
Williams said he talked about the situation with Favre, who has famously struggled with whether to retire for the last few years.
Favre told ESPN’s Ed Werder on Sunday that his return for another season is “highly unlikely, but it has been an awesome year.”
Favre wasn’t quite ready to make a decision on his future immediately after the loss, but he said he wouldn’t take long to make his plans known this time.
Brady says he won’t need surgery.
Tom Brady said he won’t need surgery for rib and finger injuries that bothered him for much of the season.
The New England Patriots quarterback described his ailments as “just bumps and bruises” that all players deal with.
“I’m feeling good. I really am,” Brady said. “I’m excited I don’t have to have surgery this offseason.”
Brady missed all but the first quarter of the 2008 season with a left knee injury.
McNabb to Pro Bowl.
Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb earned his sixth trip to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for the Saints’ Drew Brees.
The Eagles said McNabb and strong safety Quintin Mikell were added to the NFC roster after New Orleans advanced to the Super Bowl.
Mikell replaces the Saints’ Roman Harper, who was an injury replacement for Arizona’s Adrian Wilson. Mikell’s first Pro Bowl nod gives the Eagles nine players at Sunday’s game in Miami.
• Guard Chris Snee and tackle David Diehl of the New York Giants have been added to the NFC Pro Bowl team, replacing Jahari Evans and Jonathan Stinchcomb of New Orleans.
• Washington Redskins middle linebacker London Fletcher has been promoted to the NFC Pro Bowl roster in place of New Orleans’ Jonathan Vilma.
• Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard has been added to the AFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing Indianapolis’ Peyton Manning.
Denver Post wire services
