Colts' Shane Steichen Confirms Josh Downs Trade Request, Says WR Will Play vs. Jaguars
Steichen told Downs to be a pro after the receiver asked out amid Indianapolis' teardown, and Downs will play his usual role Sunday in Jacksonville
Josh Downs asked out of Indianapolis this week, but he'll be in the lineup Sunday. Colts coach Shane Steichen confirmed Friday that the receiver requested a trade and said Downs will play his normal role against the Jaguars in Jacksonville.
Steichen said he sat down with Downs in recent days and told him to stay focused on the game in front of him, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.
Steichen added that Downs practiced all week: "He's a pro. He practiced this week. He's ready to go. We're expecting for him to be his best on Sunday."
The request came in the middle of a teardown. The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard on Oct. 19, then traded Quenton Nelson to Seattle and sent DeForest Buckner to San Francisco on Tuesday. Downs sounded frustrated when he spoke to reporters this week. "I'm open to whatever," he said. "Whatever comes my way, comes my way."
He's been asked to carry more of the passing game with No. 1 receiver Alec Pierce out, and the results have been mixed. Downs has 26 catches on 46 targets for a team-high 307 yards and no touchdowns through seven games, a career-low 56.5% catch rate. Tight end Tyler Warren, who missed the last two games, is back this week, while receiver Anthony Gould (concussion) has been ruled out.
Downs, 25, is in the final year of his rookie contract, and ESPN reported that teams have asked about his availability. It's still unclear whether Indianapolis will move him before the Nov. 10 deadline. The 2-5 Colts face the AFC South-leading Jaguars (4-2) at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.