Burton to step into Ebron's spot

Colts HC Frank Reich said Monday that he's expecting TE Trey Burton to step into the role Eric Ebron played the past 2 seasons. "Trey is a big-time playmaking tight end," Reich said. "He’s an incredible route runner. He’s a very smart, instinctive player. I think he fits a big need in our offense. You know that spot in our offense gets a lot of attention ... that role gets highlighted schematically, in certain ways. I expect Trey, assuming he’s going to stay healthy, will have a very productive year.” Burton battled groin and calf injuries last year but posted a 54-569-6 line back in 2018. He also has experience with Riech after spending 2016 and 2017 with him in Philadelphia. Ebron averaged 6 targets per game over the last 2 seasons -- a 16-game pace of 96. We wouldn't bet on Burton seeing that much volume alongside Jack Doyle, but it's certainly possible that he re-emerges as a fantasy factor in 2020.

Colts TE Trey Burton (calf) has been activated from IR. He'll presumably play against the Bears tomorrow. Burton isn't a Week 4 fantasy option but does further crowd the Colts' TE picture, joining Mo Alie-Cox and Jack Doyle.

Colts TE Trey Burton (calf) has been placed on IR. So he'll miss at least the first 3 games of the season. Burton was having a good camp before going down and might emerge as a spot-start option later on this season. But he's not worth stashing on fantasy benches outside of deep or TE-premium leagues.

Colts HC Frank Reich expects TE Trey Burton to miss the first 2 weeks of the season with his calf injury. That makes him undraftable outside of deep best balls -- although we'll be keeping a close eye on Burton's role when he returns.

Colts TE Trey Burton left the team's scrimmage Saturday with an apparent lower-body injury, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Burton was reportedly not putting any weight on the affected leg. We'll keep an eye on the situation, but hold off on drafting Burton at least for today.

Update: NFL Network's Mike Gararolo reports it's a calf strain. That'll mean some missed time, but it doesn't sound serious.

There's been a consistent buzz on Colts TE Trey Burton throughout training camp. "Trey's special, and (I'm) really happy to have him on this team," OC Sirianni said earlier this week. "We've always liked to get the ball to our tight ends, especially in that intermediate range and in the red zone, and we're really pleased with what Trey brings to this offense." Burton flamed out in Chicago but flashed in Philadelphia, playing under then-Eagles-OC, now-Colts-HC Frank Reich. Burton still figures to be behind TE Jack Doyle on the depth chart. But in a Colts offense that will make heavy use of the TE, he's at least worth considering in the later rounds of FFPC drafts.