Colts begin Vikings week without Tyler Warren at practice

The Indianapolis Colts opened preparations for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings without tight end Tyler Warren at practice. He was listed as a non-participant Wednesday because of a groin injury sustained late last week. His first designation of the week leaves Indianapolis waiting to see whether he can return to the field before the game.

Warren has caught a team-leading 30 passes this season. That production makes his availability a meaningful concern for the passing offense that struggles, but a Wednesday absence does not, by itself, rule him out for Sunday. The club has further practices and a final game-status designation to come.

Shane Steichen characterized Warren as progressing well while declining to predict his availability beyond the injury reporting process. Indianapolis also began the week with several other non-participants, including cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Justin Walley. Their separate injuries add to the roster questions the Colts have to sort out before facing Minnesota, without changing what is known about Warren's groin injury.

The immediate takeaway is straightforward: Warren has not resumed practice at the start of game week, and the Colts have not announced that he will miss the Vikings game. The next participation report should provide a more useful indication of whether his recovery has advanced enough to work on the field.