Drake

Nevis

With starting DTs Fili Moala and Eric Foster out, the trio of Antonio Johnson, Daniel Muir, and Ricardo Mathews will all pick up the slack -- but they are backup and practice squad type talents at best. On the other side, the Saints’ run game got a boost when C Olin Kreutz retired, as backup Brian De la Puente profiles as a better blocker. Mark Ingram could be poised for a breakout game against Indy’s 30th ranked run defense.

Cory Redding opened as the starting left end, with Drake Nevis on the opposite side. Fili Moala, a 2009 second-rounder, is stuck in a backup role in new coach Chuck Pagano’s 3-4 scheme. Robert Mathis moved from strong-side linebacker back to his old left-end home in nickel packages. Like Terrell Suggs in Baltimore, Dwight Freeney will be the full-time right end once he reports.

A penetrating three-technique, Nevis will add talent to the Colts defensive line rotation. This remains a dream matchup for Maurice Jones-Drew, as the Colts allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing backs.

A nagging back injury limited Nevis to 19 tackles in just five games after showing promise early in the season. Provided surgery isn’t required, the 2011 third-rounder should push for a starting job in 2012 training camp.

NT Josh Chapman (knee surgery, NFI) has been activated in a corresponding roster move. This will be the second straight season Nevis has finished on injured reserve after a back issue landed him there last December. A second-year reserve lineman, Nevis finishes 2012 with 16 tackles and one sack in nine games. He made three starts. He should be 100 percent for Indy’s offseason program.

Nevis, a second-year player out of LSU, entered the night with 15 tackles and a sack in eight games. He started three games earlier in the season with Fili Moala hurt.

Players from both teams frantically motioned for trainers to come onto the field, and this has the look of a season-ending injury. With DT Fili Moala (ankle) already out and backup DT Drake Nevis having left with a back injury tonight, Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount could be in for a nice second half.

There’s no word on when starter Fili Moala (ankle) will be back and the other starter, Eric Foster, looks headed for I.R. after a gruesome ankle injury. Luckily, the Colts get the Chiefs in Week 5, against whom they should at least remain competitive.

All had previously been listed as questionable on the injury report, but were never realistic candidates to play. Nevis looked like the Colts’ best defensive tackle early in the year, but can’t get over a lingering back injury. Delone Carter and Donald Brown will handle running back duties against the Bengals’ tough front seven. Jeff Linkenbach, a natural guard, will continue to start for Castonzo on Curtis Painter’s blind side.

A 2011 third-round pick of the Colts, Nevis provides a talent upgrade on Jerome Long. He’s a one-gap penetrator that figures to fare poorly against the run.