Josh Downs could finish the 2026 regular season with 18 games played after Tuesday’s trade to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The receiver has already appeared in nine games for the Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City has nine left. The catch: Downs is leaving a team still waiting for its bye to join one that took its week off more than a month ago.
The Colts confirmed the deal Tuesday. Indianapolis received fourth- and fifth-round picks in the 2027 draft, while Kansas City acquired Downs and a 2027 seventh-rounder that originally belonged to Buffalo.
Why Josh Downs could play 18 games
The Chiefs had their bye in Week 5. The Colts’ bye does not arrive until Week 13, when Kansas City is scheduled to visit the Los Angeles Rams.
That leaves Downs with a possible game in every week of the 18-week regular season. The arithmetic is straightforward:
| Team | Weeks | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 1–9 | 9 already played |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 10–18 | 9 remaining |
| Potential total | 1–18 | 18 appearances |
Reaching that total would require Downs to appear in every remaining Chiefs game, starting Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Missing even one would take the 18-game possibility off the table.
Both teams still have 17-game schedules. The extra appearance would come from Downs switching teams between their byes, with any postseason games counted separately.
Chiefs face a quick turnaround with their new receiver
Downs arrives with 33 receptions for 354 yards and a touchdown this season. He gives Patrick Mahomes another experienced option as Kansas City deals with injuries at receiver, including Xavier Worthy’s recent hamstring injury.
There is also a learning curve. Before the trade, Andy Reid described what he would need from a receiver joining his offense during the season.
“You’d hope they’d be familiar with the offense. If they’re not, they’ve got to be smart and pick it up quickly,” Reid said. “I’ve had players that have done that and done it well, but I would tell you, there better be some form of an aptitude there in that capacity, because you’re jumping in the middle of things.”
For Downs, that adjustment comes without another scheduled bye to provide extra preparation time. Kansas City’s next two games are against Atlanta and Arizona before consecutive Thursday road games at Buffalo and the Rams.
The schedule creates the opportunity for an unusually long regular season. How quickly Downs learns the offense, and whether he stays available each week, will determine whether he actually reaches 18 appearances.
