Colts TE Mo Alie-Cox will not play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Zak Keefer of The Athletic.

Related Players: Trey Burton, Jack Doyle

Remember when the MAC breakout was going to happen for the third consecutive season? That was fun. Trey Burton and Jack Doyle will get plenty of attention from Philip Rivers in his stead.

Colts TE usage with Trey Burton the past two games:

Burton 38 routes, 11 targets
Jack Doyle 32 routes, 3 targets
Mo Alie-Cox 18 routes, 3 targets

Burton has seemed to take over the TE1 role. After standing out as an Eagle their Super Bowl year, Burton moved on to Chicago but has battled injuries most of the time since leaving Philly. He could be getting healthy again. Alie-Cox was the popular grab just a few weeks ago but doesn't look to be a safe play.

Colts TE Trey Burton practiced Friday, according to George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin. Burton could be activated for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

Related Players: Jack Doyle, Mo Alie-Cox.

Burton's potential return Sunday would complicate an already complicated TE snap share. The snap share will matter more from Week 5 on, but an active Burton would stand to take plays away from Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox.

Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni said that the offense will keep featuring TE Mo Alie-Cox despite the return of Jack Doyle and Trey Burton on his way back. "He's made too many plays the last few weeks," Sirianni said.

Cox has balled out the last two weeks, but actions speak louder than words. It was easy to give Cox majority of the looks in Week 3 while Doyle could block and get back to game speed after missing one game, but getting three tight ends looks plus the plethora of other offensive options...near impossible. Cox's value is capped unless it clear he will be their primary pass-catching tight end.

Colts TE practiced in full today and is questionable to play Sunday against the New York Jets, according to Kevin Bowen of 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis.

Related player: Mo Alie-Cox

Doyle has missed one game, and that one game led to a breakout performance by Mo Alie-Cox. Doyle's return would lead to a muddled target share between the two, but QB Philip Rivers has built a career off of targeting the tight end position. It would be hard to start either player if both are active and expected to run routes.