This move came on the defensive line.

And it came by signing a player familiar to Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy.

With Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney expected to miss a “significant amount of time” with an injury sustained Sunday, the Colts on Monday acquired three-time Pro Bowl defensive end Simeon Rice off waivers, Colts President Bill Polian said.

Freeney, who has registered a franchise-record 60 sacks in six NFL seasons - including 3.5 this season - sustained a foot injury late in the Colts' loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night.

“We anticipate that Dwight will miss some significant amount of time – three, four games, maybe more,” Polian said Monday night on his weekly radio show.

Rice, who was released by the Denver Broncos on Friday, had signed with the Broncos on September 3 after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Rice, a 12-year veteran and the third overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft, has 121 career sacks, second only to Michael Strahan of the New York Giants among active players. He played in eight games with two sacks last season before being placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Rice started one of six games played with the Broncos this season, registering eight tackles and no sacks.

Rice played six seasons with Tampa Bay, from 2001-2006, registering 69.5 sacks in the Tampa 2, one-gap style of defense. Dungy coached the Buccaneers from 1996-2001.

“Simeon obviously knows our system,” Polian said. “He has played for Tony before. He fits like a glove.”

Polian said the move was similar to last season's midseason trade with the Buccaneers for defensive tackle Anthony “Booger” McFarland.

McFarland started the last 11 regular-season games and four playoff games for Indianapolis last season, and was a critical part of the Colts' Super Bowl run on and off the field.

“It’s Booger McFarland, Chapter 2, if you will,” Polian said. “We think it will be a positive acquisition for us. Hopefully, it will pay some dividends for us down the road.”

Polian said Rice could play against the Kansas City Chiefs in the RCA Dome Sunday.

“He’s a designated (pass) rusher at this stage of his career,” Polian said. “He’s not going to play 60 snaps at defensive end, but with the right rest and in the right situation in the right packages – which our defensive staff and particularly (defensive line coach) John Teerlinck does a great job putting together – and with the emergence of our young players at defensive tackle, he fits perfectly well.”