"It's the $64 million X factor of Super Bowl week.How will defensive end Dwight Freeney's right ankle affect the outcome? "It's a question of: How efficient can you be if you're 50, 60 or 70%?" Indianapolis Colts defensive line coach John Teerlinck said. "No one will know until it happens."

Freeney, whose all-pro status is built on speed, leverage and an array of pass-rush techniques, has reported progress in the healing of ligament damage in his right ankle during each of the week's media sessions. He said Thursday that the foot was still a little sore and that he was encouraged that swelling continued to decrease.

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"Every time I wake up in the morning, I reassess the situation," Freeney said. "It's starting to feel a little better, and it is starting to look more like an ankle now."

Freeney hasn't practiced since suffering the injury in the AFC title game but expects to test the foot today and Saturday.

Although he declines to make any declarations that he will play and the Colts are preparing for the chance that he won't suit up, it appears that only a setback will keep him out of Super Bowl XLIV. Said Teerlinck, "Knowing Dwight and this is the Super Bowl, he will play."

It's Teerlinck's job to help develop contingency plans. If Freeney doesn't start, it's likely that left end Robert Mathis would switch to Freeney's spot and Raheem Brock would start at left end. All season, the Colts have used heavy rotation with their defensive line, with Brock able to line up at any of the four line positions.

"You patch it up and do the best you can," Teerlinck said. "You're not going to replace Dwight. You move people around, and we can create some things. But if you don't have your No. 4 hitter in the lineup, you're not going to be the same team.""