The Colts made the move many expected on Saturday, activating tight end Will Mallory off injured reserve after previously opening his 21-day practice window.
Mallory had been sidelined by a thumb injury and missed the team’s last two preseason games. He spent the entire 2026 season to date on injured reserve, and he was in the middle of his second week of that three-week evaluation period before Indianapolis had to decide whether to bring him back or keep him on IR for the rest of the year.
The decision lines up with the path the Colts seemed to be taking from the start. If they were going to open the window, they were going to give him a real shot to return.
A former Indianapolis 2023 fifth-round pick, Mallory has flashed as a pass catcher at tight end early in his career. But he has also been stuck behind a crowded group, with Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree all ahead of him on the depth chart.
That could matter this week. Warren, the team’s clear top receiving tight end, is currently “questionable” with a groin injury after being limited in Friday’s practice. If he can’t go Sunday at home against the Tennessee Titans, Mallory may be asked to help fill that receiving role.
He already gave the Colts a glimpse of that upside in their preseason opener against the New England Patriots, when he led the team with 6 catches for 80 receiving yards.
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