Colts Waive Injured Tackle Tony Ugoh, Claim Tackle Joe Reitz from Miami

Paul Kuharsky of ESPN is reporting that the Colts have placed offensive tackle Tony Ugoh on the waived-injured list. This means that Ugoh will pass through waivers, and if unclaimed, will be placed on the season-ending injured reserve list.

The move comes as a bit of a surprise as Ugoh, a second-round pick in 2007, was expected to challenge for a starting guard job on the offensive line. He injured his toe/foot in the third preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, but the injury was not thought to be season-ending at the time. The move to place him on the waived-injured list seems to indicate his time with the Colts is coming to an end.

Update: ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Colts have claimed offensive tackle Joe Reitz off of waivers from the Miami Dolphins to take Tony Ugoh’s roster spot.

Reitz is a converted tight end who played at Western Michigan and originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens.  He left Western Michigan at 250 pounds, started training camp with the Ravens at 270 pounds, and is now listed at 320 pounds.  His experience as a tight end and athleticism make him an intriguing tackle prospect, and his diligent work to increase his mass by 70 pounds in just over one year is encouraging.

What makes Reitz a bigger story is that he is an Indianapolis native, played high school football for Hamilton Southeastern, and was almost certainly known by the Colts scouting department.  That he has been claimed by two teams quickly off of waivers suggests he is a valuable commodity in the open market.