Tyler Warren’s status for the Indianapolis Colts’ Week 6 matchup with the Tennessee Titans came down to the wire after a late scare in Friday’s practice.
The Colts had been tracking toward a pretty clean injury report before Warren appeared to aggravate a groin muscle late in the session. The team initially tagged the tight end as questionable, and no further update followed, which pointed to a true game-day call rather than a quick answer.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler later reported Sunday that Warren will be a game-time decision. If he suits up, Fowler’s report indicates he could be limited.
Indianapolis also activated veteran tight end Will Mallory for Week 6, a move that may hint Warren won’t be at full strength or may not be available at all. With Mallory now in the mix, the Colts’ active roster carries five tight ends, which strongly suggests one of them could end up inactive against Tennessee.
Even with that uncertainty, the matchup gives Indianapolis some breathing room. The Titans are winless through their first five games, so the Colts would still be in solid shape even if Warren can’t go.
Warren’s first season in Indianapolis hasn’t quite matched the expectation that came with being a first-round pick in 2025. He was supposed to bring the Colts the kind of receiving threat at tight end they haven’t had in years, and he opened last season strongly before being limited along with much of the offense in the second half.
This year, the production has been modest: 30 catches for 213 yards, a 7.1 yards-per-catch average, two touchdowns and 10 first downs. For the most part, he has been used as a check-down outlet, even though his size and speed suggest a much bigger role.
That’s the larger issue for Indianapolis moving forward. Whatever happens against Tennessee, the Colts need to find better ways to feature Warren the rest of the way.
He is too talented to be treated like an emergency option, and the reason for that usage is unclear. It may come down more to scheme than anything else.
For now, the focus is on his groin and whether he can push through it. Warren has usually stayed on the field when banged up, and the Colts will be hoping he can do that again while still producing if he plays.
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