Colts: Freeney is lost for the season

Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney will have season-ending surgery on his left foot but is expected to be fully recovered for the 2008 season, the team announced early this afternoon.

The team's career sack leader with 60 in six seasons, Freeney suffered the injury on a spin move late in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 23-21 loss at San Diego.
The condition is what's known as a Lisfranc injury, which is damage to the middle part of the foot. It's similar to what former Colts receiver Brandon Stokley suffered in December 2002. It took Stokley approximately nine months to fully recover.

Today's release about Freeney said, “We have been told by the doctors to anticipate a full and complete recovery in time for the 2008 season."

Freeney was placed on injured reserve, making him the third defensive starter to be lost for the season. Strong-side linebacker Rob Morris suffered a season-ending leg injury in Week 4 and defensive tackle Anthony “Booger” McFarland blew out a knee in preseason.

The Colts claimed 12th-year veteran Simeon Rice off waivers Monday, and coach Tony Dungy said Rice would play at right end, Freeney’s position.

The team also placed substitute linebacker Victor Worsley on the injured-reserve list, signed defensive back/returner T.J. Rushing and Devin Aromashodu to the active roster, and signed linebacker Brandon Archer to the practice squad.

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