The Indianapolis Colts already expect Dwight Freeney not to play for several weeks because of a left foot injury, but now there's reason to believe the Pro Bowl defensive end's season might be over.
Though more tests have to be completed for the team to make a final determination, a source said Tuesday that Freeney might have suffered a Lisfranc injury in Sunday's loss to the San Diego Chargers. If additional tests verify the initial diagnosis of the midfoot injury, the source said Freeney will need season-ending surgery.
Players who have suffered Lisfranc injuries, even those not needing surgical repair, have needed months to rehabilitate.
In the wake of Freeney getting hurt, the Colts didn't take any chances; on Monday, they placed a waiver claim on defensive end Simeon Rice. The 34-year-old Rice was let go by the Broncos on Friday after he requested his release.
On his weekly radio show Monday night, Colts president Bill Polian said the initial timetable for Freeney's recovery would be three to four weeks.
The Colts signed Freeney in July to a six-year deal, paying an average of $12 million. He has 21 tackles and 3½ sacks in Indianapolis' 7-2 start.
Freeney experienced a lot of pain Sunday when he suffered the injury. He had to be carted to the locker room and left Qualcomm Stadium wearing a boot. He told friends he could have been hurt when a Chargers blocker stepped on his foot when he was making a spin move.
Swelling in the foot is preventing a final determination of the injury. But if the prognosis is a Lisfranc, Freeney would be finished for this season, although the prognosis of a return in the 2008 would be good.
Senior writer John Clayton covers the NFL for ESPN.com. Information from ESPN.com senior writer Len Pasquarelli was included in this report.