Colts: Indy takes hit with Trey Burton IR stint and adds DT

The Colts placed tight end Trey Burton on injured reserve with a strained calf.

The ambiguity surrounding Indianapolis Colts tight end Trey Burton’s calf injury has been extremely frustrating, and we now unfortunately know the extent to which he’ll be sidelined to open the season.

On Monday, the Colts announced that they placed Burton on injured reserve, meaning that he will miss at least the first three weeks of the campaign. In a corresponding 53-man roster move, the franchise claimed defensive tackle Eli Ankou, formerly of the Cleveland Browns.

This is pretty hapless news for Indianapolis, as Burton’s production in the slot, according to offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni, was going to be imperative to the team’s fluidity on offense.

Fans in Indianapolis feared the worst after it was reported that Burton was helped off the field at practice during the Colts’ second training camp scrimmage. It was then revealed that he avoided a potentially season-ending injury, but we still couldn’t help but hold our breath, as initial diagnoses of calf injuries almost never tell the full story.

We have no joy in admitting it, but the 28-year-old’s IR designation all but justifies our apprehension. Nobody has ever doubted Burton’s talent, but his lack of availability has ultimately proven to be his downfall thus far in his career.

The Colts signed him to help overcome the departure of Eric Ebron, who tallied 97 receptions for 1,125 yards and 16 touchdowns over the last two years. Nobody was expecting Burton to replicate that Pro Bowl-level production by himself, but there were high expectations for what he and Jack Doyle could do in two-tight end sets.

A three-week spell on the sidelines isn’t terrible, but Colts fans had better hope Burton doesn’t suffer a setback upon being cleared to return. That’s asking a lot for a player who landed on IR last season with Chicago after trying to play through groin and calf injuries.

If there was ever a time for Doyle to prove he was deserving of the three-year, $21 million extension he received this offseason, it’s now while Burton isn’t cutting into his target share.