The Colts’ wide receiver room took a major hit ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and Reggie Wayne responded the way only Reggie Wayne could: with a joke about lacing them back up.
After Indianapolis dealt Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, the fifth-year wide receivers coach posted on X, “Welp… Might be time to dust off the old Reeboks,” he wrote. “Has the player-Coach thing ever happened before?”
Wayne has every reason to keep things light. The Colts are grinding through a season full of change, and the moves only made an already thin offense look even more stretched. Allen and Downs were the team’s leaders in catches and receiving yards, respectively, while Alec Pierce - who was expected to be the No. 1 receiver after signing a $114 million contract in the offseason - remains on injured reserve.
If Indianapolis were ever going to entertain a wild comeback story, Wayne would be the name that makes the most sense. He ranks second in franchise history with 1,070 receptions, 14,345 receiving yards and 82 receiving touchdowns. The Super Bowl 41 champion turns 48 on Nov. 17 and last played in 2014.
The Colts have already shown a willingness to reach for help in unusual places. After nearly five years away from the game, Philip Rivers stepped in at quarterback for the team last season. So while Wayne won’t be suiting up on Sunday, the idea of desperation around the organization doesn’t feel far-fetched.
For now, though, it’s just a joke - and a reminder of how bare the Colts look at receiver after a busy deadline day.
In Other News...
Colts Secondary Finally Gets A Lift Before A Crucial Dolphins Test
The Colts finally got a little relief in the secondary this week, with defensive backs Justin Walley and A.J. Haulcy both returning to full participation in practice. For a defense that has been managing a long injury list, getting two defensive backs back on the field at least gives Indianapolis a better chance to sort through its coverage options before a matchup that could demand it.
There is still plenty for the Colts to monitor, though, with several players limited or sidelined and edge defender Arden Key just beginning his 21-day practice window after a hamstring injury. Miami has its own availability issues heading into the game, including starter Aaron Brewer being ruled out and Chris Bell also on the injury report, so both teams are walking into this one with some uncertainty still hanging over the roster. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Fans Will Want To See Why San Francisco Pivoted Away
A receiver shuffle out in San Francisco has a familiar name tied to it, and Colts fans will recognize why it matters. Kyle Shanahan said Mike Evans is close to returning from Achilles tendinitis, but the 49ers are taking a cautious approach with his recovery after he missed multiple games and landed on the week-to-week list. It is the kind of update that explains why a team can talk itself into patience even when help seems close.
Keenan Allens arrival adds another layer to the picture, especially after Shanahan had previously floated him as a trade target while the 49ers were initially linked to Josh Downs. For Indianapolis, it is a reminder of how quickly the market can shift when a contender decides it wants a proven veteran instead of waiting on a different fit. The Colts may not control what San Francisco does next, but they will certainly notice how the 49ers chose to pivot. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A New Fantasy Name Fans Should Notice
With several big-name fantasy options sidelined this week, the ripple effects are opening up value in places that usually dont draw much attention. The matchup-based DFS conversation has turned toward players who can absorb extra volume, and that has put a few under-the-radar names into focus for managers looking beyond the obvious stars. Trevor Lawrence, Dalvin Cook, Kyren Williams, Chris Olave and others are part of the broader picture, but the appeal here is really about opportunity and how injuries elsewhere can reshape a slate.
For Colts fans, the name worth noticing is Alec Pierce, who fits neatly into that kind of environment. The analysis around this weeks player pool points to favorable defensive vulnerabilities and the chance for expanded involvement, which is exactly the sort of setup that can turn a secondary option into a useful fantasy play. It is not a glamorous storyline, but in a week defined by absences and shifting target shares, Pierce has become the kind of receiver DFS players tend to circle when they are hunting for a little edge. [Read more 🡒]