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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts held on to running back Jonathan Taylor through Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. The Colts traded wide receivers Keenan Allen and Josh Downs before it passed.
Jonathan Taylor Stays With Indianapolis Colts
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Friday that the Colts were seeking a first-round pick for Taylor. No deal came together before the deadline.
Indianapolis is 2-7 and has lost five straight. The Colts fired general manager Chris Ballard earlier this season. Guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner were both in the final year of their contracts when they were traded.
Taylor had 610 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 148 carries entering Sunday, along with 21 catches for 202 yards. He ran 13 times for 46 yards against the Cowboys and caught 5 passes for 18 yards. He also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter.
During warmups before that game, the video boards at Lucas Oil Stadium showed a montage of Taylor’s highlights. Taylor, the franchise’s career leader with 77 rushing touchdowns, met with reporters afterward.
“I think you play every game like it’s your last,” Taylor said. “But at the end of the day, this has been a spot where I’ve grown up. After college, you’re trying to grow up, you’re starting a family, and you really embrace this city and the people. You’re just like, ‘This place helped shape me into the man I am today.’ I’m very grateful for the city of Indianapolis.”
The Colts drafted Taylor forty-first overall in 2020, and he won the NFL rushing title in 2021. Colts coach Shane Steichen also met with reporters after the loss.
“I’m not going to get into any trade speculation,” Steichen said. “He’s on our football team.”
Taylor has played his entire NFL career in Indianapolis. The Colts have eight games left this season.
“I love repping the horseshoe, but it’s out of our control now,” Taylor said. “The hay is in the barn. We just play the waiting game now.”
Indianapolis hosts the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Kansas City visits the Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota plays at the Green Bay Packers.
Keenan Allen Heads To San Francisco, Josh Downs To Kansas City
Indianapolis sent Allen to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero first reported the deal. The Colts announced it Tuesday.
San Francisco has been without Mike Evans (rib, Achilles) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring). The 49ers visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Allen should step into the starting lineup.
Later Tuesday, the Colts traded Downs to the Kansas City Chiefs. Kansas City sent 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks to Indianapolis for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the terms before the Colts announced the deal.
Downs had requested a trade after the Colts sent guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to San Francisco. He became the fourth player Indianapolis traded before the deadline.
Indianapolis drafted Downs in the third round out of North Carolina in 2023. He set career highs in 2024 with 803 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns in 14 games, and he was in a contract year this season.
In Sunday’s 27-23 loss to Dallas, Downs caught 3 passes for 24 yards against a defense that included his younger brother, Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs. Caleb Downs sealed the win for Dallas when he intercepted Daniel Jones with 35 seconds left. Josh Downs met with reporters after the game.
“I’m open to whatever,” Downs said. “If they want me to stay here, I’ll be here. If they don’t, and they want to trade me away, they’ll trade me away.”
After Tuesday’s trade, Downs posted a message on X.
“I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy,” Downs wrote. “Nothing but love for the Shoe.”
Elsewhere before the deadline, the Minnesota Vikings reacquired quarterback Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders for a 2027 third-round pick, Minnesota announced. The deal is pending a physical.
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