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NFL·ANALYSIS·October 28, 2026 06:10 AM ET

Colts WR Josh Downs floated as trade target for 4-2 Bengals

Downs has 26 catches for 307 yards through seven games.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 39m2 min read
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What happened: Indianapolis Colts slot receiver Josh Downs has emerged as a potential trade target for the Cincinnati Bengals ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline. A 25-year-old third-round pick out of North Carolina in 2023, Downs has served as the starting slot receiver across all four of his NFL seasons in an Indianapolis offense that features running back Jonathan Taylor under a contract extension. Cincinnati enters Week 8 on a two-game winning streak after overcoming a 13-0 deficit to defeat the Baltimore Ravens 35-13.

Why it matters: Adding receiving depth would bolster Joe Burrow and the Bengals as they hold the No. 7 seed in the AFC at 4-2. Conversely, the 12th-seeded Colts sit at 2-5 on a three-game losing streak and are looking to clear salary cap space and accumulate draft picks for a rebuild.

By the numbers: Burrow earned a Week 7 FedEx Air & Ground nomination after completing 22 of 30 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns against the 4-3 Ravens, going 16-of-18 for 249 yards and four scores during Cincinnati's 35-point second half to become the only NFL quarterback this season with four touchdown passes in a single half.

What to watch: The Bengals host the Tennessee Titans at Paycor Stadium on Sunday for their Ring of Honor game, wearing black jerseys, white pants with orange stripes, and black socks.

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