Indianapolis Professional Football Team opens Will Mallory’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve
The Indianapolis Professional Football Team opened tight end Will Mallory’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, allowing Mallory to practice and to be activated off injured reserve at any point in the next three weeks. The team placed Mallory on injured reserve in late August after he suffered a thumb injury. Mallory participated in Wednesday’s practice and was listed as a full participant.
Mallory, a fourth-year tight end, had an impressive training camp and a productive preseason; he caught six passes for 80 yards in the preseason opener against the New England Patriots before sustaining the thumb injury. The team will evaluate Mallory throughout the week to determine whether he can be activated ahead of Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Head coach Shane Steichen said the team will see how the week goes, that it has been a while since Mallory has practiced, and that the staff will get him running and then decide.
Wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin, rest) was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice after missing last week’s win over the Washington Commanders with an injury he sustained during practice last Thursday. Center Tanor Bortolini (ankle), linebackers Jaylon Carlies (ribs) and Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee), wide receiver Ashton Dulin (hamstring) and defensive end Arden Key (hamstring) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Steichen said on Monday that Key will miss “some time” with the injury he sustained in Week 4.
The Indianapolis Professional Football Team practiced at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center as it prepared for Week 5 against the Steelers. The team will monitor Mallory’s progress over the coming days and make an activation decision before Sunday’s game if he proves ready. Mallory’s 21-day window allows the team to activate him at any point in the next three weeks.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Opening Mallory’s 21-day window gives the Indianapolis Professional Football Team flexibility to restore a productive receiving option at tight end if he proves ready in practice. Mallory’s preseason production, with six catches for 80 yards in the opener, and his full participation Wednesday put him in position to be considered for activation. The team will need to monitor his readiness alongside Keenan Allen’s limited practice status and Arden Key’s expected absence as it finalizes the Week 5 roster and game-day rotations.