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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 30: Josh Downs #2 of the Indianapolis Colts catches a pass that was later called back for holding against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 30, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Indianapolis Colts (8-4) are talented this season and sometimes there isn’t enough football to go around.
After a standout rookie campaign in 2023, Josh Downs’ production has dipped two years later. As a rookie, he caught 68 passes—a franchise record—and his 98 targets trailed only Michael Pittman Jr.’s 156. Across his first two seasons, Downs totaled 140 receptions, another club record and three more than Marvin Harrison Sr. posted in his first two years. His 107 targets in that span were just behind Pittman’s 111.
This season, however, Downs is seeing a noticeable decline in opportunities, averaging a little more than two fewer targets per game. His 5.5 targets per contest rank fourth on the team, behind Pittman (6.8), Tyler Warren (6.5), and Alec Pierce, who is posting a career-high 5.9.
GettyINDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 26: Josh Downs #1 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after his team’s 38-14 victory against the Tennessee Titans in the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 26, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)NFL
Josh Downs Sounds Off on Wanting the Ball More
“As an offensive player, as a receiver, you want the ball,,” Downs said earlier this week. “But yeah, just got to be patient and when it does come my way, got to make them.”
“It is what it is,’” he said. “At the end of the day, I’ve gotta do what my team needs . . . and go from there.’”
In the recent loss to the Houston Texans (7-5), Downs drew a team-high six targets but finished with only two receptions for 44 yards.
And he also had two costly third-down drops. The first stalled the opening drive; the second came with under two minutes left as the Colts were pushing for a go-ahead touchdown or a game-tying field goal. Facing third-and-9 at the Texans’ 31, Downs turned for a pass from Daniel Jones, slipped, and couldn’t secure the catch. The ensuing fourth-down incompletion to Pittman ended the Colts’ comeback bid.
“Can’t really make an excuse at that point,” Downs said.
WR Coach Reggie Wayne Says Team Deep With Talent
Wide receivers coach for the Colts, Reggie Wayne, shared at media availability earlier this week that it’s about having too much talent, more than Downs playing poor.
Running back Jonathan Taylor has the most rushing yards in the NFL and therefore the offensive is run heavy, while Warren, a rookie tight end, has put up a historic season for Indianapolis.
“I wouldn’t say his role has lessened,” Wayne said . “It’s Christmas time, right? We’ve been nice and not naughty, and Santa’s given us an extra weapon or two.”
But given the makeup of the Colts’ personnel, spreading the ball around is essential.
“They understand it,” Wayne said. “Ultimately at the end of the day, that’s what you want. You want as many weapons as you can possibly have. I’ve talked to those guys and related the situation to my own when I was playing.
“They’re never going to accept it, let’s be honest. But they do like the fact that the more weapons we have, the better we can be.
“There’s not a skill position in this league that’s going to appreciate and want lesser opportunities. You’ve just gotta go with the flow. You can have 15 targets a game, but you’re probably not going to be a good team.’’
The Colts are at the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) on Sunday in a battle for sole possession of first place in the AFC South.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, legal affairs and entertainment. Drake has covered sports, including the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories, since 2019. More about Drake Bentley
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