Not to wish ill on a teammate...

...But many a career has been launched because of an injury to a starter. Techsans certainly hope that Booger McFarlane's career is not in jeapordy, but we do hope that this can create an opening just small enough for Key Dawson to take advantage of...

IndyStar.com

Coach Tony Dungy confirmed Monday that McFarland damaged the patella tendon in one of his knees during a practice Friday and likely faces surgery.

"It's something where he's not going to be back in the next three, four weeks,'' Dungy said. "It's a long-term injury.''

That leaves the Colts with a huge hole to fill in the middle of their defensive line, and that only partly refers to McFarland's 300-pound frame. In eight seasons, he has appeared in 109 regular-season games, 95 as a starter. He started 15 games for the Colts last season, including the playoffs, after arriving in a trade with Tampa Bay.

With McFarland out, the Colts will move forward with Raheem Brock at one starting defensive tackle spot, and . . . well, someone else at the other.

The list of replacement candidates is long, but short on pedigree. Darrell Reid and Dan Klecko have appeared in a combined 62 games but share only four starts. Four of the other five prospects are rookies, including third-round draft pick Quinn Pitcock and seventh-rounder Keyunta Dawson, who has been moved inside after spending most of the offseason at end.

Best of luck Key...