The Colts got a clear look at Tyler Warren during joint practices with the Patriots, and the second-year tight end made the kind of noise that gets people talking fast.
With Daniel Jones sitting out preseason work as he continues to recover from a season-ending Achilles injury, the Colts’ offense has been forced to show its shape in practice instead of games. Jones has reportedly been sharp in drills, and the matchup with New England offered another chance to see how the pieces fit together. Warren, more than anyone, came away looking like a player ready to take a bigger bite out of the passing game.
According to unofficial trackers, Jones finished 12 of 20 against the Patriots, and six of those throws went Warren’s way. Warren was a problem in both 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 periods, and he kept that going in an end-of-game drill against New England’s defense.
In that situation, with 1:12 left and the Colts needing a touchdown, Jones reportedly went back to Warren on a deep ball. Warren beat coverage and helped set the offense up at the 5-yard line for a Josh Downs game-winning score.
“He's just a tremendous player. He's got a natural feel, a natural knack for the game on how to get open, how to run routes, and he makes plays. He's got strong hands, big body, big target for Daniel (Jones) to throw to," Steichen said of his tight end.
That kind of praise lines up with what Warren has already shown. He plays with size and force, and defensive backs have a hard time shaking him off.
Even as a rookie, he flashed the ability to win through contact and make plays with defenders hanging on him. If his role grows the way it appears to be growing, the production could follow quickly.
Alec Pierce will eventually re-enter the picture once he’s healthy after missing all of training camp with an ankle injury, but his game is built on big plays. Warren brings something different: a steady presence who can move the chains and work as a reliable target underneath and in contested spots.
There’s also the Jones factor. Warren’s production dipped once Jones went down, and that connection has already started to look natural. Another full training camp together should only deepen that chemistry.
Of course, joint practices and preseason reps come with a warning label. They don’t tell the whole story. But they do help set the tone for how a team wants to function once the 18-week season begins, and Warren keeps looking like someone who can sit near the center of it.
He showed real signs of stardom in his first season. With his yards-after-catch ability, his oversized frame, and a growing comfort attacking contested throws, Warren looks built to be a major part of what the Colts do next.
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