Fili

Moala

Moala had two tackles in the first half before leaving. The Colts rolled with a rotation at tackle that included Antonio Johnson, Eric Foster and Drake Nevis.

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.

He’ll work behind LE Cory Redding. At 6-foot-4, 303, Moala does possess the requisite size to become a “five technique,” run-stopping defensive end in the 3-4. Moala has been a poor run defender his first three seasons, however.

Both players were forced from last week’s game against the Packers. Second-year pro Drake Nevis will slide in next to Antonio Johnson, while newly signed Antonio Dixon is slated to back up. The Colts rank No. 26 against the run, but Shonn Greene and the Jets should make Indy look like a top-10 defense.

He’s been placed on injured reserve. It’s a big blow for the Colts’ shaky run defense, though they have a pair of potential replacements in Martin Tevaseu and Josh Chapman. Moala had been battling knee issues all season, and missed three of the Colts’ first 11 games. Making $615,000 in the final year of his rookie deal, Moala will be up against it to be ready for camp next summer.

Moala was injured late in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis is down to Antonio Johnson and Martin Tevaseu as their lone gap fillers. Moala has been battling the knee all season.

Moala went down mid-way through the first quarter, and is likely done for the day. Second-year pro Drake Nevis is now in at defensive tackle.

He practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, so he should be able to play on Monday night unless he suffered a setback. Other defensive starters on the injury report included DT Fili Moala (ankle) and FS Antoine Bethea (ankle), who are both questionable. The smallish front seven of the Colts has its hands full with power-back LeGarrette Blount, who is staring down one of his best matchups of the year.

Moala, 28 in June, has been a major disappointment since Bill Polian took him with the 56th overall pick in the 2009 draft. After flashing at least some semblance of pass-rush ability in an injury-shortened 2012 season, the new Colts regime is giving Moala one more shot. Moala tore his ACL in Week 12. We suspect he’ll be ready for Week 1, but likely won’t be counted on to start.

Moala was the only Colt not to practice in the run up to Saturday’s Wild Card win. His injury isn’t believed to be serious. A former second-round bust, Moala was a middling part of the Colts’ D-line rotation this season, providing a body more than anything else. He played 513 snaps, generating little pressure while struggling against the run. Moala is headed to the open market, where he could have trouble earning guaranteed money.