The Colts may be getting a badly needed boost to their passing game in Week 4, and it comes from a familiar face for Daniel Jones.
With Alec Pierce sidelined on injured reserve because of a heel injury, Indianapolis has been missing the kind of vertical threat that can force defenses to back off. That absence has shown up in the numbers, too. ESPN’s Stephen Holder pointed out that Jones is on pace for one of the lowest yards-per-attempt marks of his career at 6.2, but he noted that the bigger issue is what the Colts look like without Pierce.
"... Look for new acquisition Daruius Slayton to make his debut at receiver."
That debut could come Sunday in London against the Washington Commanders and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Colts are 1-2, and while Washington’s secondary is described as questionable, Indianapolis has its own issue to solve: finding someone who can stretch the field.
Josh Downs has been productive, but he isn’t the same kind of downfield weapon Pierce is. Keenan Allen and Laquon Treadwell don’t really fill that lane either. Slayton, though, brings exactly the sort of profile the Colts need right now.
The veteran receiver didn’t play in Week 3 after joining the team, but he now looks set to suit up in Week 4 and carve out a real role in the offense. He already has built-in chemistry with Jones from their Giants days, and his track record is clear: 296 catches, 4,435 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in seven seasons with New York, along with a career average of 15 yards per reception.
Slayton was released by the Giants before Week 1, and now Indianapolis is hoping his speed and downfield presence can help loosen things up. The Colts don’t need him to dominate targets.
They just need him on the field, making the Commanders account for him. That alone could change the look of this passing attack.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Marvin Harrison Jr. Decision To Make
Marvin Harrison Jr.s first stretch with the Cardinals has been quieter than many expected, and that has already started to stir the kind of trade talk that follows any highly touted young receiver who is not getting much run. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported that Washington is among the teams keeping an eye on the situation, which makes sense for a Commanders club always thinking about how to keep its passing game stocked for the future.
From Washingtons perspective, Harrison is the sort of name that naturally invites interest: a big talent, a premium pedigree, and a player whose availability would change the conversation in a hurry. But any possible move would come with real questions about cost, fit and timing, and for now the Commanders are still in the monitoring stage rather than any confirmed pursuit. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Have A Different Plan For Joshua Josephs
Joshua Josephs has already given the Commanders something to think about as they sort through the next layer of their defense. The idea being floated is a position change, with Josephs potentially moving from edge rusher to inside linebacker, a switch that would ask for a different kind of responsibility but could also open a clearer path to playing time. His physical traits and skill set are part of why the conversation is even on the table.
Washingtons roster situation adds to the intrigue, since the team is still weighing how best to cover future needs in the middle of the defense. If the Commanders decide Josephs is better suited to that role, it could help both sides by putting him in a spot where his strengths are easier to maximize. For now, it remains more of a possibility than a decision, but it is the sort of roster wrinkle worth watching as the team keeps shaping its defense. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Could Catch Washington Without Its Biggest Receiving Threat
Terry McLaurins availability has become one of the biggest questions hanging over Washington heading into Week 4, after the veteran receiver picked up a hamstring injury in practice and was listed as questionable for Sundays game against the Colts. McLaurin was limited in practice, and the issue is a new concern for him at a time when the Commanders are already managing significant changes on offense.
The timing is less than ideal for Washington, which is set to face Indianapolis without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. If McLaurin cannot go, the Commanders would be trying to piece together their passing game without one of their most important targets, a development that would leave even more onus on a unit already under pressure to adjust. [Read more 🡒]