The two real surprises on the Patriots' inactive list have to be DB Shawn Springs and DL Ty Warren. Here's how to sort the list out ...

* Springs' absence means, once again, has at least gotten Terrence Wheatley a game jersey. This is only the third game Wheatley's dressed for, and the 2008 second-round pick would, presumably, be the club's fourth corner tonight, behind Jonathan Wilhite, Leigh Bodden and Darius Butler.

* Losing Warren is no good for a front that was already without Jarvis Green. In the 3-4, the team will likely have rookie Myron Pryor opposite Mike Wright at end, with Vince Wilfork returning to his customary spot at nose tackle against Jeff Saturday. The Colts have struggled to run the ball, but a big reason why is that Donald Brown's been out the last couple weeks, and he's back tonight.

* With Matt Light shelved again, Sebastian Vollmer draws another start, and faces his biggest challenge to date -- in the shorter Dwight Freeney. Freeney excels at getting under a blocker's pads, and disappearing on them. Vollmer is 6-foot-8. So this one will be a little different for him.