Bruce Arians: Colts Will Activate NT Josh Chapman This Week

Josh Wilson and I have spent the last week debating whether or not Indianapolis Colts G.M. Ryan Grigson is the best executive in the NFL. Regardless of how we or you readers feel, one thing that is not debatable is just how effective Grigson was with the 2012 NFL Draft. T.Y. Hilton, Dwayne Allen, LaVon Brazill, and Vick Ballard have all made a huge impact on the 2012 season.

Oh, and that Andrew Luck, dude? He's pretty good too.

One player that was viewed as a bit of an X-Factor from that draft class is nose tackle Josh Chapman out of Alabama.

Chapman started the season on P.U.P., and was finally allowed to practice with the team just two weeks ago. At his Monday press conference, interim coach Bruce Arians told the media that Chapman will likely get activated for the first time against the New England Patriots (6-3) this coming Sunday.

I guess it is somewhat fitting that Chapman is now finally gets a chance to play. Alabama lost it's first game of the college football season this past Saturday.

Chapman has not played a down of football since Alabama won the National Championship last season over rival LSU. The 316 lbs tackle played much of last season with a torn tendon in his knee! He had surgery in the offseason to repair the damage, and healing has been slower than expected.

Now, against a Patriots team that is ranked No. 5 overall in running the football, Chapman could see limited action. The Patriots will also be without rookie runningback Brandon Bolden, who was suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.

Bolden was averaging 5.4 yards a carry on the season prior to the suspension.