The Indianapolis Colts dodged a massive bullet with Tyler Warren. The star tight end left practice mid-session earlier in the week after falling with a groin injury, limping his way to the locker room before ultimately returning to watch from the sidelines.
Fortunately, the Colts announced this wasn't a major concern. They firmly expect him to be on the field for the season opener, and while this team isn't necessarily transparent with injuries — we still don't know what's going on with Alec Pierce — this time, info is coming from multiple sources.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Warren avoided a major injury, and while he'll likely be held out of the preseason and may only do some light work, he's still expected to be one of the team's focal points on offense.
Tyler Warren might be the Indianapolis Colts' go-to guy
"I think he's gonna be completely good," Rapoport told Pat McAfee. "He's gonna be ready for week one... He's gonna be awesome for Daniel Jones, and I expect his role to grow, and I expect him to be back after one week or so."
This tracks. Warren has been the biggest offensive standout in training camp, and while this team will always look to get Jonathan Taylor going, Warren's presence may help them run a more balanced offense in 2026.
The Colts finally addressed their glaring needs at wide receiver by signing Keenan Allen. On paper, that should hurt some of the current pass catchers, as he's a possession guy who'll be heavily involved in quick throws to stay ahead of the sticks.
Then again, having more weapons can actually help other guys, as opposing defenses won't be able to double Warren as often, knowing that would mean leaving Allen, Josh Downs, or Alec Pierce wide open and vice versa.
Warren looked the part as a rookie, amassing 76 receptions on 112 targets for 817 yards and four touchdowns. He's reportedly been much more physical in training camp, especially in contested-catch situations, with the New England Patriots having no answer for him during joint practices.
His stock is trending in the right direction, which is precisely why there's no point in getting him on the field before it actually counts. Young players need reps and all, but he's already familiar with the offense and personnel; being healthier is much more valuable than whatever concepts he might have to grasp or polish in the next couple of weeks.
Reports suggest Daniel Jones hasn't missed a beat since coming back from injury. In fact, he's reportedly looking sharper than last season and even before that, and he'll need his tackle-breaking YAC specialist roaming free downfield.
Soft-tissue injuries can be tricky and linger into the season, and the Colts know a thing or two about having seasons derailed by an ailment. Warren needs to get some rest and just focus on being healthy to host the Baltimore Ravens.
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