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Reggie Wayne jokes he should become ‘player-coach’ after Colts’ trade deadline sell-off
Reggie Wayne joked that he may need to return to the field after the Indianapolis Colts traded away two wide receivers before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Wayne, now the Colts’ wide receiver coach, quipped on social media about becoming a player-coach as the 2-7 team’s options at the position dwindled.
Indianapolis sent Josh Downs to Kansas City for fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2027 draft, and Keenan Allen to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick that year. The Colts have five receivers on their active roster, with Alec Pierce and D.J. Montgomery on injured reserve; they have lost five straight games since 4 October. A player-coach role is not possible under the current NFL collective bargaining agreement.
In short
- Wayne joked about returning as a player-coach.
- Colts traded Downs and Allen before the deadline.
- Indianapolis has five active receivers and five straight defeats.
Explained simply
Reggie Wayne is a former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver who is now a coach with the team. He played in the NFL for 14 seasons and is one of the best-known players in Colts history.
NFL teams can trade players until a set deadline during the season. In return, they often receive draft picks, which give them the chance to select new players in future years. A player-coach would both play and coach, but current NFL rules do not allow that arrangement.
Wide receivers catch passes from the quarterback and help move the ball down the field. The Colts’ reduced numbers at the position matter because injuries and trades can leave a team with fewer options during games.