Warren recently sustained a groin injury during Friday practice ahead of Week 6, leaving his status as questionable for the upcoming game against the winless Tennessee Titans. With Warren sidelined, the Colts’ tight end depth chart — and the sizable presence of Mo Alie-Cox — becomes more prominent than ever.
Colts TE Depth Chart
Beyond Warren, the tight end group is solid but not particularly dynamic. Mo Alie-Cox serves as the TE2. The former basketball player from VCU is a big target and a capable blocker, but his usage has been limited in recent seasons. Behind Alie-Cox stand Drew Ogletree and Pharaoh Brown, two veterans who are not known for posing a major threat to defenses. The Colts currently have no tight ends on their practice squad, though Brown recently was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster.
Mo Alie-Cox Outlook If Tyler Warren Is Out
There isn’t a clear precedent to gauge Alie-Cox’s workload in Warren’s absence, as Warren has not missed a game yet this season. In his rookie year, Alie-Cox’s lowest snap percentage came in Week 3, when he played on 68% of offensive plays; that game came against the Titans, and the Colts did not target another tight end that day, with Alie-Cox on the field for 49% of snaps.
This season, Alie-Cox has recorded three receptions for 30 yards through five games. In the previous four seasons combined, he had between 13 and 19 catches. His peak production came in 2021 with 24 receptions and four touchdowns, and in 2020 he posted 31 catches for 394 yards with two TDs. At 33 years old, Alie-Cox is unlikely to be used as a primary chain-mover between the 20s, but he can still be a viable red-zone option. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, he remains a potential threat to reach the end zone.
If Warren is unavailable, the Colts will likely aim to create scoring opportunities through other parts of the passing game, with slot receiver Josh Downs and the running back tandem of Jonathan Taylor and Seth McGowan contributing to the aerial attack. When close to the goal line, Alie-Cox could be a favorable target, as teams may consider leveraging his size for contested catches in the red zone.
Note: This piece focuses on the Colts’ current tight end situation and potential implications for Week 6 and beyond, with emphasis on available personnel and likely usage scenarios.
