Indianapolis Colts star defensive end Dwight Freeney will not play in the team's Week 2 game against the Minnesota Vikings, due to a lingering ankle injury he suffered during the regular season opener against the Chicago Bears. Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier knows it changes how his offense will plan to attack the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium (via NFL.com):
"[T]o not have Dwight on the field, it would definitely change how offenses approach you. It would change how we would approach the Colts...That's just the way it is. He's that dominant of a player, even at this stage of his career. He's still a guy that can change the game."
Things get a bit easier for Christian Ponder and the offense with Freeney out, but the Vikings will still have to find a way to neutralize Robert Mathis if they want the passing game to thrive on Sunday.
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