Freeney still doesn't practice; not sure if he'll play

Dwight Freeney watched the Colts' final Super Bowl practice from a golf cart, and it's still uncertain whether he will play in the Super Bowl.

The all-pro defensive end hasn't practiced since tearing a ligament in his right ankle late in the AFC title game Jan. 24. Saturday's brief walkthrough was no different.

Indianapolis coach Jim Caldwell said Freeney had improved from Friday to Saturday but declined to say whether the star would play against the Saints.

Freeney has played through pain before this season. He didn't miss a game after straining a quadriceps in late September, an injury that reportedly should have kept him out for up to a month.

Some have speculated Freeney may move from the right side to the left so he can push off his good ankle, but Freeney said Thursday a switch to the opposite side wouldn't make much difference.

Freeney's ankle was not wrapped and he did not receive treatment during the 40-minute walkthrough.

Star receiver Reggie Wayne also seemed to ease concerns about his possible absence, returning to practice one day after aggravating a season-long right knee injury. Wayne left Friday's practice 20 minutes early, and Caldwell sounded confident that Wayne would play today.

Indy's only other starter trying to recover from an injury is cornerback Jerraud Powers. He returned to practice Friday, nearly three weeks after having surgery to repair a fracture in his left foot, and did light work Saturday.

"He (Freeney) and Powers both are better than yesterday. It's still day to day," Caldwell said.

Caldwell said the week went according to plan and that the Colts should be ready to play well Sunday.

"We've done extremely well and been attentive," Caldwell said. "The (players) have been very, very focused and our practices have been sharp as well. Overall, we've been moving in the right direction."

Saints update: New Orleans cornerback Randall Gay and running back Lynell Hamilton sat out the Saints' final practice of the season Saturday.

Coach Sean Payton said he expected Gay to be ready for tonight's Super Bowl.

Gay sat on the sideline during a walkthrough under sunny skies in Sun Life Stadium.

Gay usually plays in five-defensive back formations. He is getting over a cold with congestion that caused also caused him to miss practice Friday.

Payton was less certain about the status of Hamilton, a reserve running back and special teams regular. Hamilton has sat out practice all week with a sore left ankle.

"We'll see how he does on Sunday," the coach said.

The mood at practice was light and Payton sounded confident he'd done all he can to get his team ready.

"I'm excited, just excited," Payton said. "You get to this point and your concerns are always the scheduling and the logistics and the travel, and all of that was pretty smooth. So it's good. At this point, everyone's ready. It's been two weeks already, so we're ready to go."