Shane Steichen’s offense relies on versatility, and few players provide that quite like rookie tight end Tyler Warren. But less than 24 hours before a crucial AFC South showdown with the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts received news that could change their entire game plan.
Now, fans are left waiting to see if one of the league’s most productive playmakers will even suit up.
Will Tyler Warren Be Available Against the Houston Texans?
The Colts announced Saturday that Warren was a late addition to the injury report due to an illness, officially listing him as questionable for Week 13.
The timing catches everyone off guard, as Warren hadn’t appeared on the report all week. This suggests the issue popped up suddenly, forcing the coaching staff to pivot just before kickoff, potentially. We won’t know his official status until the team releases the inactive list shortly before the game starts.
However, on Sunday, NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that Warren is expected to play in Week 13. “Colts TE Tyler Warren, who is listed as questionable because of an illness, is battling a stomach virus,” he wrote on X. “They’ll monitor him this morning, but all indications are he’ll play today vs. the Texans.”
Colts TE Tyler Warren, who is listed as questionable because of an illness, is battling a stomach virus. They’ll monitor him this morning, but all indications are he’ll play today vs. the Texans. @NFLGameDay @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/7Y61YU4ARj
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 30, 2025
In a corresponding roster move, Indianapolis elevated defensive tackle Chris Wormley from the practice squad to add depth on the other side of the ball.
If the sickness sidelines Warren, the workload falls to veterans Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree. It represents a steep drop-off in production for this unit. Alie-Cox has managed just five catches for 59 yards all season, while Ogletree only recorded his first catch of the year, a touchdown, in Week 12. Neither player offers the same ability to dictate defensive matchups that Warren brings to the field.
Warren has been a revelation since stepping into this offense. Through 11 starts, he has racked up 55 receptions for 662 yards and three scores through the air, plus a rushing touchdown on limited carries. That production places him third among all tight ends in 2025, trailing only superstars Travis Kelce and Trey McBride. He also holds a massive 125-yard lead over the next closest player, Juwan Johnson.
The advanced numbers back up the eye test. According to PFSN’s TE Impact metric, Warren boasts an 88.0 Impact Score, well above the league average of 80.2. That earns him a B+ grade and ranks him second this season. Even more impressive, he already ranks 18th overall in their database since 2019.
His volume sets him apart. Warren’s 74 targets and 55 catches tower over the league averages of 52 targets and 37.5 receptions for the position. Late-week illnesses are tricky, and the Colts hope their breakout star recovers in time. His presence, or absence, could decide who controls this AFC South battle.
Indianapolis Colts’ Insights for Week 13
Team:Â Indianapolis finishes with six games against teams currently in a playoff spot, including two games against both Houston and Jacksonville.
QB: Daniel Jones’s 71.3 QBi score against the Chiefs was his lowest of the year. It was his third straight week grading outside the top ten after seven out of the first eight games ranked eight or higher.
Offense: The Colts’ 71.6 (C-) OFFi against the Chiefs was the second-lowest score they had this season. Indianapolis still leads the NFL with a 92.1 OFFI for the season.
Defense:Â The Colts allowed 11 points in the fourth quarter against the Chiefs. It was the second most, only behind 14 in a Week 4 loss to the Rams.
Fantasy: The Daniel Jones season is leaking oil, but he did funnel 48.4% of his targets to his top two pass catchers. Tyler Warren and Michael Pittman were fine weekly plays, but Josh Downs (13 yards on eight targets over his past two games) is trending in the wrong direction at the worst possible time.
