Tyler Warren was named the NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 2 on Thursday, adding to an already well-established list of accolades for the young tight end.
In the Colts' Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos, Warren recorded four receptions for 79 yards; through two games, Warren has 11 receptions on 16 targets for 155 yards. He leads all NFL tight ends in receiving yards, yards after the catch (92) and contested catches (3; tied for first) and has zero drops.
Warren's 155 receiving yards are the most for any Colts player through the first two games of their career, passing wide receiver T.Y. Hilton's 128 yards at the beginning of his rookie season in 2012. The only other rookie tight end in NFL history to have 150 or more receiving yards in his first two games was Brock Bowers in 2024, with 156 yards.
Warren is also the first rookie tight end in NFL history with 75 or more receiving yards in each of his first two career games.
While it's very common for tight ends to experience a learning curve when they first start playing in the NFL, Warren's introduction into the league has been nothing but seamless. He's meshed with the Colts' offense instantaneously, showing his ability to block, catch and run – and even line up in the fullback position.
"He's just a hell of a football player – natural feel for the game," head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday. "Toughness, gritty. You can put him in different positions, different spots, try to get these matchups that you want with him, along with all the rest of the guys."
"He's athletic. He has the physical traits, but it was that learning curve for me, what I saw in our training camp," running back Jonathan Taylor said Thursday. "They expect rookies to make mistakes here and there. Of course, you're learning a new game, a new system. But he had very, very few mental errors, which was something that was really interesting to me. So when you're able to beat learning curve, now it's like, how great can you be?"
Taylor also praised Warren's awareness on the field; the rookie already has a feel for when to play all-out versus when to settle down into open spaces and allow for his teammates to get their opportunities.
"You're in the NFL, first year, you want to go full speed, you want to play fast, want to play aggressive," Taylor explained. "Just having that knack of knowing when to turn on the gas, when to turn it off, finding those open spots like a veteran player is very encouraging to see from him this early."
"Tyler's creating his own path," Taylor later added. "And sooner or later, you guys are going to say, hey, does this guy remind you of Tyler Warren? So I think that's something that we're all chasing."
Warren returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday with a toe injury. Wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) also practiced.
Thursday's practice report:
