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Colts: Expect Mo Alie-Cox to be starting tight end vs Vikings

By Thomas Carannante

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 22: Mo Alie-Cox #81 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass in the game against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 22: Mo Alie-Cox #81 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass in the game against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Colts starter Jack Doyle missed practice again on Thursday.

Remember when the Indianapolis Colts were poised to have one of the best tight end groups in the NFL about three weeks ago? Unfortunately, the hype ended really before it even began.

Trey Burton was placed on injured reserve with a leg injury and will be out at least through Week 3. Now Jack Doyle, the Colts’ starter, missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday with ankle and knee injuries, which is not a good sign for the team’s Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

This is after he dealt with a neck issue in training camp.

That means Colts fans need to brace for Mo Alie-Cox to be the starter on Sunday. But don’t worry, guys! Philip Rivers has ample experience throwing to a former college basketball player. On the Chargers, Rivers and Antonio Gates were one of the best 1-2 punches in the league.

As for Alie-Cox, the Colts love his upside, but the former VCU basketball star, entering his third NFL season, has limited experience. After all, when he signed with the Colts following the 2018 NFL Draft, the last time he’d played football was his freshman year of high school.

Across his two-plus years in Indy, the 6-foot-5, 267-pounder has appeared in 26 games (three starts), but has only 17 catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns. He saw his most action back in 2018.

The good news? The guy is an absolute tank and dominates in the run-blocking game. Plus, he’s proven to be effective in the passing game when given the opportunity. He had two receptions for 20 yards against the Jaguars and fans were loving his catch on third and short when he got into space and broke a tackle, gaining about 12 extra yards.

You never know — if he starts, this could be a blessing in disguise for the Colts. They’ve been sitting on his talents for over two years now and were likely hoping he’d be useful in a situation where the team needed a reliable option following a string of injuries.

Well, here we are.

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