Steichen was not ambiguous about Tyler Warren's Week 1 status: the coach says the second-year tight end is "feeling really good" and "we'll get him some reps in practice this week." That health check matters, but it is not the actual fantasy read. The real read is the role Steichen described around it — a tight end who is not a traditional tight end, someone the Colts will hand the ball to, throw the ball to, and move all over the formation.
The health line clears the path. Steichen: "He's feeling really good." That is not a hedge. Steichen already said Warren took reps last week; this week's reps are about installing the game plan, not testing the body. For fantasy, that removes the biggest risk attached to a high-usage tight end: a snap-count cap. Warren played 17 games as a rookie and posted 76 catches for 817 yards and 4 touchdowns. A full practice week tells us the Colts plan to start that usage from the first whistle.
This is not a "safety blanket" role. Steichen: "We hand the ball off to him, we throw it to him." Coaches often say a player is versatile and then do nothing with it. This is more specific. Steichen called Warren "a little bit of everything" and made clear he is not just a check-down option. That is code for designed carries, slot alignments, and manufactured touches — the usage that separates elite fantasy tight ends from touchdown-dependent streamers. If even a few goal-line or short-yardage carries are added to his receiving workload, Warren's weekly ceiling goes up without requiring a dramatic target-share jump.
The Year-2 route growth matters just as much. Steichen: "You can see that from year one to year two." That quote is attached to "more fluidity in and out of breaks." It means the Colts trust Warren with a wider route tree, not only the manufactured stuff. More fluid routes should mean more time in the slot, more red-zone opportunities, and more chances to create after the catch. Steichen also acknowledged defenses want to take Warren away — but the team is still scheming to get him the ball in both the run and pass games. That is a commitment to usage, not just praise.
With the Colts sitting at +3.5 on DraftKings, a negative game script would push Indianapolis into more dropbacks. Warren is the player Steichen wants on the field for all of it. The Week 1 tell will be how often Warren lines up in the backfield or slot. If the usage matches the press conference, the health check was just the opening line.
Read the full transcript: Shane Steichen Press Conference Transcript (2026-09-07)