Indianapolis Colts

Patriots reportedly trading for Colts tight end Dwayne Allen

Published Mar. 8, 2017 5:00 p.m. ET

Nunzio Ingrassia

The New England Patriots apparently are looking for some insurance at tight end, acquiring Dwayne Allen from the Colts, according to multiple reports.

https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/839588412864753665

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/839587626264969216

New England reportedly will give up a fourth-round pick acquire a sixth-round pick in the deal.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/839594541279686656

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/839595264461664272

The move likely signals the end of Martellus Bennett’s tenure with the Patriots after one year. Bennett, who is a free agent, played a big role for the Patriots after Rob Gronkowski suffered a season-ending back injury.

The 27-year-old Allen has spent the first five years of his career with the Colts and had 35 catches for 406 yards and six touchdowns last year. The move comes one day after Indianapolis agreed to terms with tight end Jack Doyle.

The Colts signed Allen to a four-year, $29.4 million deal last season. The Patriots will pay him $5 million in 2017, $5 million next year and $7.4 million in 2019.

Allen has had injury concerns in his career, missing 23 games over the past four seasons. But after missing 15 games in 2013, he has missed just eight the past three seasons combined.