BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills traded underperforming defensive tackle John McCargo to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick today.

The second of Buffalo's two 2006 first-round draft picks, McCargo had difficulty gaining a regular role in the team's defensive line rotation and had dropped to fourth on the Bills' depth chart behind Spencer Johnson.

The deal was announced by the Bills about 90 minutes after the NFL's trade deadline passed. Buffalo (4-1) is coming off its bye week and had expressed interest in acquiring Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, who remained with Kansas City.

The move did not come as a surprise as McCargo appeared in only four games this season, and after he was left inactive for Buffalo's season opener against Seattle. He was credited with only two tackles this season.

The Colts (3-2), coming off a 31-3 win over Baltimore, have struggled against the run this season, though they did limit the Ravens to 51 yards rushing.

The 6-foot-2, 307 pounder from North Carolina State is relatively undersized by NFL standards. McCargo was considered to be fast on his feet, but lacked consistency in Buffalo, and was never able to usurp the starting job from Kyle Williams, whom the Bills selected in the fifth round of the 2006 draft.

In 25 career games, none as a starter, McCargo had only 2› sacks and one forced fumble. The Bills had high hopes for McCargo after they swung a draft-day trade with Chicago to get back into the first round to select him 26th overall.

McCargo, however, missed the final 11 games of his rookie season with a foot injury.