While most of the attention concerning Superbowl injuries has focused on the Indianapolis Colts’ Dwight Freeney, the New Orleans Saints have had their own injury issues.  They haven’t had an impact on Superbowl betting the way that Freeney’s injury has, but they’ve been a concern nonetheless.  None of New Orleans’ injury concerns are as potentially as significant to their chances as Freeney is to the Colts–he is their bests defensive player after all.  Still, no team likes to have their personnel limited by injury in any game, particularly the Superbowl.

The biggest name on the Saints injury report is tight end and Bodhi from “Point Break” doppleganger Jeremy Shockey.  The University of Miami product has been limited by injury during much of his tenure with New Orleans, and a right knee injury has limited him during the Saints’ first two playoff games.  The good news is that Shockey practiced on Wednesday after missing practice all of last week.

Shockey has some added motivation to get well in time for the big game, as he missed out on the New York Giants’ Superbowl victory two years ago with a broken leg.  When Shockey has been healthy this season, he’s been a very valuable contributor to the New Orleans’ offense and he made it clear that he plans to be on the field this Sunday:

“No way, shape, form, or fashion I’m going to be out of this game. Being in this situation is very rare. I’m going to take every opportunity I can to help this team.”

On the defensive side of the ball, safety Darren Sharper and linebacker Jonathan Vilma have also been bothered by knee issues as well.  Neither player has missed any playing time, however, and both fully participated in Wednesday’s practice.

At this point, the only significant New Orleans injury is the ankle sprain suffered by backup running back Lynell Hamilton.  Hamilton tweaked his ankle in the NFC Championship game and sat out of practice on Wednesday, his ankle protected by a ‘walking boot’.  Despite the injury, he’s expected to be ready to go for the Superbowl as well.