Josh Downs Traded to Chiefs by Colts, Reports Say

Wed 11 Nov 2026, 11:00am AEDT - Sportingbase

Josh Downs has been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Indianapolis Colts sending the wide receiver to Kansas City for fourth- and fifth-round draft picks before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, ESPN and NFL Network reported.

The Chiefs receive Downs and a seventh-round pick in the deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Downs had asked to be traded and is the second Colts receiver moved on deadline day, after veteran Keenan Allen was dealt to the San Francisco 49ers.

“I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love For the Shoe,” Downs posted on X on Tuesday (US time).

Why the Chiefs needed a receiver

Kansas City has struggled to throw the ball downfield, with Patrick Mahomes yet to complete a pass of more than 20 air yards since Week 4, according to ESPN.

The Chiefs lost their best deep threat this season when Tyquan Thornton dislocated his left ankle and needed surgery, while Xavier Worthy left last week’s win over the New York Jets late in the fourth quarter with a left hamstring injury.

Downs is best known for his quickness and route-running from the slot, and he caught seven passes for 72 yards against the Chiefs in Week 2.

Kansas City next plays the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta on Sunday (US time).

Downs’ season in Indianapolis

The 2023 third-round pick leads the Colts in receiving yards, with 33 catches from 56 targets for 354 yards and one touchdown this season. He averaged 66 catches and 713.3 yards across his first three seasons, ESPN reported.

His contract expires at the end of the season, and his catch rate of 57.9 per cent is a career low.

After two dropped passes in Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Downs told reporters: “I got some things I’ve got to fix on my own.”

Asked about his future, he said: “I said I’m open to whatever, and if they want me to stay here, I’m going to stay here. And if they don’t, if they want to trade me away, they’ll trade me away.”

Colts receiver room thins out

With no timeline for Alec Pierce’s return, the Colts will turn to Laquon Treadwell, Ashton Dulin and rookie Deion Burks, with tight end Tyler Warren likely to carry a bigger load. Indianapolis also promoted veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from its practice squad on Tuesday.