The Colts are heading into Sunday’s home game with the Cowboys carrying more than just a 2-6 record and a trade deadline hanging over everything. They’re also walking into Week 9 with a roster that keeps tilting younger, a fan base looking well past this season, and a stretch of football that has gone sideways in a hurry.
For now, the expectation is that the rumored trade candidates stay in uniform. That includes Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs, unless something changes before Tuesday’s deadline.
The Colts do not sound interested in the kind of move the Cardinals made last month with Marvin Harrison Jr., when he was held out before a deal later that night. Shane Steichen made the point plainly on Sunday: “I think there’s a lot of hypotheticals out there on the trade talks.
Right now, he’s on our football team.”
Downs addressed the speculation on Wednesday and kept his focus on the game ahead. Asked about his trade request, he said, “Like I said last week, I was open to whatever.
I’ll keep that between me and my close peoples. I’ll leave it there.
I’m focused on this week and the Cowboys.” When asked whether he wants to be moved by Tuesday, Downs answered, “I’m focused on here right now.
Big game. Get to play my little brother (Caleb).”
He also took responsibility for the failed trick play from Sunday, saying, “I got to do a better job of getting on that ball. Plain and simple as that,” Downs said.
While the deadline chatter swirls, the Colts are leaning harder and harder on youth. Six players from the 2026 draft class are already playing meaningful snaps in Indianapolis.
LB-CJ Allen, S-A.J. Haulcy and LG-Jalen Farmer are starters.
DE-Caden Curry, RB-Seth McGowan and DE-George Gumbs Jr. are in key roles. WR-Deion Burks looks like he could be next to see a bigger workload, and LB-Bryce Boettcher was starting before that group.
Steichen mentioned Curry specifically on Wednesday as part of a possible adjustment moving forward.
There’s still a lot of season left, at least on paper. The Colts have nine games remaining, and they’re 3.5 games behind the AFC South lead after losing the first of two meetings with the Jaguars.
They’re also three games back in the Wild Card race, and the 1-5 AFC record is dragging them down. But the schedule does offer a path that looks softer than the standings might suggest.
Between now and the end of December, the Colts play only one team currently above .500, the Giants with J.J. McCarthy.
That stretch includes the Cowboys (3-5), Dolphins (1-6), at Texans (2-5), Giants (4-2-1), bye, at Eagles (2-6), and at Titans (1-7).
Wednesday also marked a year since one of the biggest trades in Colts history, when Indianapolis sent a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner. Steichen reflected on that move when asked about it, saying, “Obviously we were in a really good spot as a football team,” Steichen said when asked about his memories of the trade.
“Made a trade for obviously a really good corner, very talented. We are excited he’s on this football team.
He’s a tremendous talent. Young player with great energy.
Plays hard. Matches No. 1 wideouts, that’s big, long and rangy.”
A year later, that deal looks a lot different.
The Colts also got one bit of business done this week, locking up defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore on a two-year extension. Steichen praised the 25-year-old as “a huge bright spot,” adding, “He’s been a huge bright spot.
Going back to training camp, you saw it. Going into this year, you saw the way he was rushing the passer and winning one-on-ones, he’s done a phenomenal job.
He’s an incredible worker, a great human, everything you want to stand for as a football player-the character, the preparation, the consistency how he works, the relentless effort to get after the quarterback has been phenomenal.”
Alec Pierce remains out, and there’s no clear return date yet. Steichen said, “He’s rehabbing, can’t put a timetable on it right now,” after Pierce’s stint on injured reserve began in Week 3. He became eligible to return two weeks ago, but the outlook still isn’t settled.
The bigger problem is the one that keeps following this team around: turnovers. The Colts have lost 13 of their last 15 games, and in that span they have failed to win the turnover battle in 13 straight contests.
That’s the longest streak in franchise history. The next-longest active streak in the NFL belongs to the Patriots at eight games, followed by the Cardinals at five.
Sunday’s atmosphere at Lucas Oil Stadium could be a strange one. It’s the Colts’ first home game since firing Chris Ballard and trading away DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson.
It could also be the last time Jonathan Taylor suits up for Indianapolis. With Cowboys fans likely to show up in force, the home crowd may be split between frustration, curiosity and whatever comes next.
In Other News...
Colts Just Locked In A Key Defender For What Comes Next
Adetomiwa Adebawores rise has given the Colts something they can actually plan around on the defensive front. A fourth-round pick in 2023, he has steadily worked his way into a more important role, and Indianapolis has now made it clear it views him as part of the long-term core rather than just another young lineman trying to find his footing.
The extension also says plenty about where the Colts think they need to go next up front. With the defensive tackle room set for a rebuild, locking in Adebawore gives the team a dependable starting point as it reshapes the interior of the defense, and it puts more pressure on the front office to find the right pieces around him. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Finally Made A Move Fans Can Feel Good About
After spending much of the season looking for stability up front, the Colts have made a move that should sit well with their fan base. Indianapolis has agreed to a contract extension with defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore, rewarding a player who has taken a noticeable step forward this year in both pass-rushing and run defense.
Adebawores growth has given the Colts a more encouraging piece to build around on the defensive line, especially with his improved disruption in the backfield and steadier play against the run. For a team that has spent plenty of time searching for answers, keeping a young lineman trending in the right direction is the kind of decision that can make the rest of the roster feel a little more settled. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Buzz Puts Colts In A Tough Spot
The trade deadline chatter around Jonathan Taylor has put the Colts in an awkward position, with the Giants reportedly showing interest in the running back as they look to address both their offense and defensive front. New York is also exploring other playmakers and linemen, but Taylor remains a name to watch because of the kind of impact he can still bring if a deal ever gets serious.
Indianapolis, though, is not in a position to move him cheaply. The Colts are believed to be asking for a steep return, which makes any potential agreement tricky even for a team actively shopping for help. For now, the buzz says as much about the market as it does about Taylor, and it leaves the Colts balancing roster value against the possibility of a deadline move that may never get close. [Read more 🡒]