Tyler Warren delivers impressive rookie NFL Week 1 debut performance

The former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren made his NFL Week 1 debut on Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts faced the Miami Dolphins at home. His debut was impressive from down-converting receptions to throwing up blocks that put the Colts in ideal red zone position.. He helped Indianapolis secure its first win of the season, 33-8.

It was Warren's afternoon from the first play of the game. He separated himself from the Dolphins' defenseman, making space while Colts quarterback Daniel Jones had all the room in the world to find Warren. His reception and advance was good for a first down along the sidelines.

His longest reception was good for 21 yards. On first-and-10 early in the first quarter, Warren put Indianapolis is ideal position at the Miami 11-yard line. Jumping up, he made the catch and held on as he was tackled down deep in Dolphin territory.

Aside from the receiving side of the game, the tight end was essential in blocking. After making the 21-yard catch and the Colts advanced to first-and-goal, Warren threw up a big block to try and make room for Jones to push his way into the end zone. Indianapolis had to settle for a field goal after Jones only advanced good enough to bring up fourth-and-five.

Then in the fourth quarter when Miami remained scoreless, Warren put up a wall as Ashton Dulin powered through to try and dive into the end zone. The 15-yard gain left the Colts at the one-yard line.

Warren's abilities were compared to those of a running back throughout Sunday's game as well.

Late in the fourth quarter, Warren had a 15-yard catch on third-and-four. Right after making the grab, he put the breaks on and redirected to pick up more yards and move the chains without question.

On the Colts' first touchdown drive of the game that started in the first quarter and finished in the second, Warren was used in the run game as a pleasant surprise. Looking to convert on third-and-one, Jones handed the ball off to the tight end who powered his way through for a three-yard gain up the middle.

His Sunday performance left people wondering how the Penn State product wasn't the first tight end taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Michigan's Colston Loveland was the 10th overall selection, drafted four picks ahead of Warren, by the Chicago Bears.

Though Warren didn't show up on the scoreboard, he and Jones were inches away from connecting as the tight end reached up for the ball in the end zone. Miami safety Minkah Fitzpatrick took Warren down nearly a second before the ball reached him, but the officials didn't give the tight end the pass interference call he looked for after the play.

Warren finished his debut with seven catches for 76 yards, second-most on the team in receiving. Michael Pittman Jr. led the Colts with six receptions and 80 yards.