The morning of Media Day at Super Bowl XLIV dawned grey, muggy and very damp. As the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints flew into South Florida on Monday, five inches of unseasonable rain were falling on parts of the area - which is to be expected in summer, but not in early February.

Fear of a repeat meant that the traditional Super Bowl Tuesday media scrum, which gives the press unfettered access to all the players and coaches of each of the teams, and which has always been held on the field, was moved indoors to the concourses of Miami’s Sun Life Stadium, previously known as Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Dolphin Stadium and Land Shark Stadium.

“Sometimes you need a break from the sun,” a spokeswoman for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, said, suggesting a British stiff upper lip somewhere in her genes. “Everybody all over the country has weather. And you don't have to shovel anything that has fallen on us.”

For this writer, the downpours brought back uncomfortable memories of the previous Super Bowl here three years ago, which was played in constant drizzle, making for wet conditions and fizzing laptops for members of the British press, whose seats were protected by plastic sheeting and little else. That was the first Super Bowl to be played in rain, and there is a chance, although an outside one as the weather forecast stands, of a repeat.

That, though, will not worry the Indianapolis Colts, who beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 out on the slippery field that rainy evening. What is concerning them is the fitness of Dwight Freeney, a key defensive player.

It has emerged that Freeney tore a ligament on the outside of his right ankle in the Colts' 30-17 win over the New York Jets in the AFC Championship game. He was unable to train last week, and will be severely restricted if he trains at all this week.

Freeney’s fitness is certain to be the running (or limping) story of the week. The defensive end is a key part of the Colts’ pass rush, and his likely absence promises a much more comfortable Sunday afternoon for Drew Brees, the Saints’ quarterback, than he night otherwise have expected.

When Freeney plays, opposing teams are forced to use their tight ends and running backs in more defensive positions aimed at protecting the quarterback as he tries to pass. Freeney’s absence will mean more freedom for Jeremy Shockey, the tight end, and Reggie Bush, the running back, in passing plays. Brees will be able to pass without worrying that Feeney is somewhere on his blind side preparing to sack him. And the game promises to be a very even contest, making the Colts less heavy favourites.

Freeney, though, will be in uniform and was talking today as though he expects to play some part, however restricted. “I’ve had injuries in the past and tweaked my game to protect them,” he said. “But I don’t know how much mobility I will have. It was swollen to baseball size when I just did it.”

The Colts have developed a number of alternate defensive schemes, but they would rather have Freeney available. “He’s been a quick healer in the past,” Jim Caldwell, the Colts’ head coach, said. “There have been many weeks where he's had some situations that have looked like he would not be able to play, but he's been able to battle through it and not only play, but play well. We're praying for the same thing to happen this week, as well.”

Freeney is not expecting the worst, but he is aware that he could miss out. The blow, though, would be softened by the fact that he played and won here in the Colts’ previous appearance. “I know they will be fine without me, and if I’m not there on the field I’ll still be able to help them. I see a lot of things, because I’m in my eighth year as an NFL player, and this is my second time around in a Super Bowl. Even if I’m not in every play I can help the younger guys. Right now it doesn’t feel the best, and I think it will be a game-time decision.”