Report: Dwayne Allen ‘Week-to-Week’ with Ankle Injury; ‘Likely to Miss Time’

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) is unable to make a reception as Houston Texans defensive back Eddie Pleasant (35) defends during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) is unable to make a reception as Houston Texans defensive back Eddie Pleasant (35) defends during the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen is ‘week-to-week’ with an ankle injury and is expected to miss time–likely at least a game or two:

The 5th-year tight end injured his ankle in the 1st quarter in Sunday night’s game against the Houston Texans and did not return. He was later seen on the sideline getting his ankle iced and taped before using crutches:

The 6’3″, 265 pound tight end currently has 18 receptions for 192 receiving yards and 2 touchdown receptions for the Colts this season (6 starts) and remains the team’s best blocker at the position.

While Allen remains the team’s most complete tight end–with his ability to both catch and block at a high level, his durability has been a bit of a concern for the Colts. If he does miss time, Allen will have yet to play an entire season since his rookie year in 2012. Specifically, he’s already missed 21 games over the past 3 seasons (excluding this year) to various injuries.

Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) struggles to stay in bounds after a catch against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) struggles to stay in bounds after a catch against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /

In his absence, 2nd tight end Jack Doyle had a touchdown reception in Sunday night’s loss–to go along with 4 receptions for 53 receiving yards. He should be the Colts starting tight end if Allen is unable to go, as well as a staple of the team’s offense.

Otherwise, 1st-year tight end Erik Swoope should fill-in as the team’s 2nd tight end in the mean time, having had 2 receptions for 42 receiving yards against the Texans–including a nifty 35-yard catch-and-run.

It’s worth noting that the Colts did release rookie cornerback Frankie Williams from the 53-man active roster on Monday, which means that the team has an additional roster spot available to sign a free agent or promote a tight end from the practice squad.

Currently, undrafted rookie Mike Miller is on the team’s practice squad from Taylor University, having spent some of this offseason within the organization. The 6’6″, 249 pound tight end appeared in the Colts 3rd preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording 1 catch for 6 receiving yards.