Chargers sign NT Ricardo Mathews

The locker beside Ricardo Mathews belonged to former Colts teammate Lawrence Guy. Dwight Freeney, former Colts teammate, was 15 feet away. Donald Brown, ex-Colts teammate, had a locker within eyesight. Kavell Conner, ex-Colts teammate, was around the corner.

Mathews joined a new locker room Monday. It didn’t feel so new.

“It’s nice to come here and see familiar faces,” he said.

The Chargers added some needed depth Monday morning, signing a nose tackle who can play all three positions on their defensive line. Running back Marion Grice, a rookie sixth-round draft pick, was waived in a corresponding move, leaving Branden Oliver as the No. 4 back.

Grice is expected to be added to the practice squad should he clear waivers Tuesday.

Mathews, a 2010 seventh-round pick, spent the past four seasons in Indianapolis. The 27-year-old started six of 52 career games with 51 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

In March, he signed a one-year deal with the Texans. He was released Saturday and flown to San Diego on Sunday.

General Manager Tom Telesco spent 15 years in the Colts organization, working in player personnel. Mathews became the latest Colt to join San Diego in his tenure. The list includes Drake Nevis, a defensive end acquired one year earlier to the day.

“It tells you that Tom Telesco has confidence in these guys to go out there and perform,” Freeney said. “(Mathews) has done well for him in the past ... He does all the right things. He’s played in the league, so he understands what it takes to win. He’s been some on pretty good teams; he comes from a winning culture. He should be a good fit.”

It remains to be seen how quickly Mathews can get acclimated.

The defensive schemes in Indianapolis and San Diego are fairly similar; however, the terminology is different. It will be a process to relearn the names to what may be the same calls.

The Chargers now carry seven defensive linemen. They were hit by injury last month, end Damik Scafe (hip) and nose tackle Kwame Geathers (knee) both placed on season-ending injured reserve. Of the team’s four reserve defensive linemen, only Guy was with San Diego in 2013. Two others, nose tackle Ryan Carrethers and versatile end Tenny Palepoi, were in college.

Mathews, in Indianapolis, now rounds out the group.