Ricardo

Mathews

Mathews had been playing nearly as many snaps as Moala in a rotation the past few weeks. The Colts run defense has stiffened of late while holding five of the past six opponents to 20 points or less.

The Colts lost DTs Eric Foster (ankle) and Drake Nevis (back) on Monday night, and were already down Fili Moala (ankle) coming into the game. Mathews appeared in eight games as a rookie last season, recording one tackle. He’s an undersized, tweener end/tackle and isn’t going to save Indianapolis’ run defense.

The Niners also hosted ex-Falcon Tyson Jackson. Mathews contributed 14 tackles and one sack over 310 defensive snaps for Pittsburgh last season. He’d just be a depth signing for San Francisco.

Houston liked to employ undersized nose tackles under old DC Wade Phillips. New defensive boss Romeo Crennel prefers heavy space-eaters in the middle of his defensive line. Mathews tips the scales at just 300 pounds. He’s not going to be counted on to start. The Texans still need a right end and a nose.

A 2010 seventh-rounder, Mathews appeared in all 16 games last season, turning in 465 largely-ineffective snaps. Mathews has camped out at end the past two years, but has experience at tackle. He’ll compete for a spot as a rotational lineman.

Turning 28 before the season, Mathews is coming off a solid year as a rotational end-tackle in San Diego, recording a career-high 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Chargers would be in trouble if Mathews were forced to start games for an extended period, but he knows the system and is quality depth.

A career reserve, Mathews played 525 ineffective snaps for the Chargers last season. He’s just a body for the Steelers, one who faces an uphill climb to crack the 53-man roster.

Mathews spent the past four seasons in Indianapolis, but was among the Texans’ final cuts over the weekend. He provides depth behind Sean Lissemore along the Bolts’ thin middle of the line.

Mathews was a poor fit as an undersized nose tackle. He couldn’t make the cut behind Jerrell Powe and rookie Louis Nix.

Ricardo Mathews will start on the left side of Indy’s defensive line, and will have his hands full stopping powerful RBs Darren McFadden and Michael Bush.