THE SIDELINES : Indianapolis Colts Sign Hilger

INDIANAPOLIS â€”  Quarterback Rusty Hilger, who hasn’t thrown a regular-season pass since 1988, was signed today by the Indianapolis Colts.

Hilger fills a vacancy on the roster created when Jack Trudeau suffered a season-ending knee injury in Sunday’s 27-7 loss to Miami. Trudeau, who goes on the injured reserve list, will have surgery on his right knee when the swelling subsides.

Hilger, who has played in 22 NFL games, was a sixth-round draft pick of the Raiders in 1985. He was with the Raiders for three seasons, playing in 11 games and starting five, before he was waived in August, 1988.

The Detroit Lions signed Hilger in October, and he started nine of their final 11 games in 1988. Hilger, 28, was named the Lions’ most valuable offensive player in 1988, but he was waived before the 1989 season.

Hilger has completed 204 of 463 passes in the NFL for 2,584 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has thrown 19 interceptions.