Bad news for Colts fans: the team that has already been riddled with critical injuries and losses this season (and before it began) may now be missing Dwight Freeney for the rest of the season.

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, Freeney has suffered Lisfranc; one of football’s most dreaded injuries. The Lisfranc fracture is a fracture and dislocation of the joints in the midfoot, where a cluster of small bones forms an arch on top of the foot between the ankle and the toes. Already Freeney was expected to miss several weeks with the injury, but there was hope he’d be ready to return in time for the postseason. Lisfranc injuries typically take months of rehabilitation, regardless of whether surgery is required to repair the damage.

Indianapolis has already begun reacting in lieu of Freeney’s absence, signing Simeon Rice earlier this week after he was released by Denver. The 34-year old defensive end may now be needed to fill in for the rest of the season and effectively replace the game’s most effective pass rusher. Freeney’s dominance is felt in every game as he often requires extra attention, opening up opportunities for other members of the line to hurry the opposing quarterback.

Freeney should return in 2008 if, in fact, he has a Lisfranc fracture. Keep an eye on this as it develops.

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This post is tagged Dwight Freeney, Lisfranc Injury, Season-ending injury