We continue our training camp previews for the Indianapolis Colts, entering the tight end position.
Name: Jack Doyle
Position: TE
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 262
Age: 29
Year Drafted: 2013 (UDFA—TEN)
Background
Entering the league as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans out of Western Kentucky, Doyle wound up being waived during the final roster cuts before the 2013 season. He was claimed the following day by the Colts.
Doyle slowly made his way up the Colts depth chart at tight end over the years and eventually became a huge piece of the offense as a starter in 2016. He’s held the role as the TE1 in the room since signing a three-year extension ahead of the 2017 season.
Doyle only played six games in 2018, though, after he suffered a hip subluxation in Week 2 that kept him out five games. He then ended his season following the Week 12 win over the Miami Dolphins when he suffered a kidney injury that required immediate hospitalization.
2019 Outlook
Though it isn’t clear how quickly Doyle will be able to return during training camp, the hope is he will be able to make his way back before the season. He’s still rehabbing from offseason hip surgery, but there was an encouraging sign as he was seen running routes at full speed immediately following the conclusion of the spring workouts.
Doyle’s presence means a lot to the Colts both on the field and in the locker room. He embodies exactly what they are looking for in players. On the field, Doyle will be one of Andrew Luck’s favorite targets on short and intermediate routes—as well as in the red zone. He’s also one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL.
Once Doyle is fully recovered from his assortment of injuries, expect the 29-year-old to continue having a major stake in the offense.
Bottom Line
When Doyle will return remains to be seen. The fact that he’s running routes at full speed is a sign that he’s close, but slapping a date on a potential return would simply be speculation as the Colts haven’t given a timetable. Still, when he does return, he should continue to hold a valuable role in the offense.
