The Steelers couldn't handle Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft last week, and the task does not get any easier this week, especially with three members of Pittsburgh's secondary injured.

The Indianapolis Colts visit the Steelers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. One of the many reasons why the Colts (7-1) have the best record and top offense in the NFL is rookie tight end Tyler Warren.

Warren has 37 receptions for 492 yards and three touchdowns, and three rushes for 25 yards and a score. The first-round draft pick from Penn State comes to Pittsburgh after Kraft has seven receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers' 35-25 victory over the Steelers.

"Obviously, he presents a big challenge," Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said of Warren. "You got to see him when he was at Penn State and all the different things that he did there, he's doing the same things (with the Colts). He'll line up (in the backfield). He catches the ball. He can run it. They run the ball with him. They do all kinds of things with him because he's really versatile, and he's a really good player. It's going to be a big challenge."

The Steelers, who are last in the league in pass defense, will try to stop Warren without starting strong safety DeShon Elliott after he injured his right knee against the Packers in the third quarter and was placed on injured reserve.

Elliott's backup, Chuck Clark, will miss the game because of an illness. Yet another safety, Jabrill Peppers, has been ruled out because of a quadriceps injury. The Steelers may have to turn to Kyle Dugger, who just joined the team on Wednesday after being acquired from the New England Patriots in a trade.

"Obviously, losing DeShon will make it harder, but that's the NFL," Austin said. "Whoever is in the game, be available and be ready to give our best effort to stop this guy. That's the job. We don't make excuses for guys that aren't there. That's why we didn't defend him. That's not what we're going to do. We're going to go out there, and we're going to do our best to stop him.'

No team in the NFL appreciates tight ends more than the Steelers, as they carry four of them on the roster. All have caught at least one touchdown pass this season from Aaron Rodgers --- Jonnu Smith, Connor Heyward, Pat Freiermuth, and Darnell Washington.

So, it's no surprise that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin appreciates the 6-foot-6, 256-pound Warren, who was the 14th overall pick in the draft. Warren has had at least three receptions in all eight of the Colts' games, including seven for 76 yards in a win over the Miami Dolphins in his NFL debut.

"He's plug-and-play not only in terms of his playing ability but their utilization of him," Tomlin said. "They use him in a variety of schemes. Get the ball in his hands early and often. Some of the things that you saw on video at Penn State, you see on video in Indianapolis. But that's why you take dynamic players like him that high. He's been an integral component of what they've been able to do offensively."