Colts tight end Tyler Warren has been “progressing really well” as he works his way back from a groin injury suffered in practice Oct. 16, according to coach Shane Steichen but he was non-committal on whether Warren would practice for the first time in nearly two weeks.
Warren was a game-time decision for the Colts’ eventual 26-20 loss to Tennessee but didn't play and didn't practice or play last week.
“I don’t know yet,” Steichen said Monday in regards to Warren’s prospects of practicing this week. “But we’ll see how the week goes.”
Despite two missed games, Warren still leads Indianapolis’ anemic offense with 30 catches, one more than veteran wideout Keenan Allen (29). Warren is third on the team in targets (36) and yards (213). He also remains the only Colt with multiple receiving touchdowns (two).
Pierce remains on injured reserve due to his surgically repaired left heel – he could've returned to practice this past week after having missed four games but, along with veteran defensive end Micheal Clemons (toe), Steichen said Monday that neither player was likely to return to practice this week ahead of the team’s Week 8 visit to Jacksonville.
The Colts were without starting All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner on Sunday due to a left calf injury he suffered in Week 6 and then lost two more of its secondary due to injury in the game against the Vikings.
Nickel cornerback Justin Walley missed Wednesday’s practice last week and was limited Thursday and Friday with a knee injury, but he played into Sunday’s second half before leaving the game with a knee injury. The team also lost rotational corner and key special-teamer Cam Taylor-Britt to a groin injury, leaving Indianapolis without three of its top four corners.
Steichen said he was uncertain of that group’s status for practice this week. “We’re working through that,” the head coach said Monday.
The Colts' rookie rotational linebackers CJ Allen (ankle) and Bryce Boettcher (groin) were ruled inactive for Sunday’s game. The Colts also are still without starting edge rusher Arden Key, who suffered a hamstring injury in Week 4 before being placed on IR. The earliest Key can return to practice will be in preparation for the team’s Week 9 home game against the Cowboys.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts coach Shane Steichen provides little information on Tyler Warren; Alec Pierce remains on IR