Colts Claim Simeon Rice Off Waivers

NFL Network's Adam Schefter and ESPN's John Clayton are reporting that the Indianapolis Colts have claimed defensive end Simeon Rice, days after the Broncos placed him on waivers.

The move is intriguing for a few reasons. First, it raises the question of whether the injury suffered by Dwight Freeney last night is serious enough that the Colts are worried that they won't get him back for a while. Rice would be something of a replacement for Freeney because Rice in his prime was pretty much the same player as Freeney is now. Unfortunately, Rice is now well past his prime.

It's also an interesting move because it reunites Rice with his old coach, Tony Dungy. Rice played one season in Tampa Bay for Dungy, and he's always been most comfortable in the "Tampa 2" defense that Dungy coaches, which emphasizes quickness on the defensive line. Of course, Rice had a lot more speed the last time he played for Dungy than he did now. But if Freeney is out for a significant time, Rice is better than anyone else the Colts will find.