Reggie Wayne on Josh Downs' reaction to trade request: 'He put himself in this situation'

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne says he hasn’t spoken to Josh Downs about his reported trade request but like the rest of the viewing public, the franchise’s legendary receiver-turned-coach is watching with interest to see how Downs carries the weight and responds to the noise.“I think he is,” Wayne said Thursday when asked if he believed Downs is capable of blocking out speculation and uncertainty about his future. “But I also think we should have more than two wins, so that means nothing. At the end of the day, we’ll find out. He’s put himself in this situation, and I guess he’s ready for what comes along with it. Hopefully it’s motivation. I don’t know.”A day after Colts principal team owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon and assistant general manager Ed Dodds formally kicked off the NFL’s trade deadline frenzy by dealing guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, Downs was among numerous Colts players that reporters spoke with in the locker room asked how they see themselves within a team landscape that’s clearly changing.And as a player on an expiring contract, just like Nelson and Buckner, Downs could be seen as an enticing addition for a contending team needing a boost at receiver for the stretch run into the postseason.Nowhere in his cryptic responses did Downs say he wanted to stay.“I’m open to whatever comes my way. I’m here right now. I’m where my feet are. We’ve got the (Jaguars) this weekend, and I’m in the gameplan, so I’ve got to be ready to go,” Downs said. “I’m here today but whatever comes my way, comes my way, and I’ll go from there.”Without top receiver Alec Pierceon injured reserve after reaggravated his surgically repaired left heel, the Colts have been forced to let Downs loose and tried to use him every way possible to find some semblance of explosion in the passing game.It’s rarely worked.Downs has barely caught more than 50% of his targets (26 catches on 46 targets) as teams have blanketed him on third down without Pierce to stretch the field. Downs has also had several drops – including three in the Oct. 18 loss to the Titans. In an opportunity to assert himself as a top option as he approaches free agency, the 5-foot-9 receiver hasn’t met the moment.Through seven games, Downs is tracking toward a season of 112 targets (which would be a career-high), 63 catches (only the third-most in a four-year career) and 746 receiver yards (third-most in four years). He’s yet to catch a touchdown as well.“It’s been an opportunity for him to show what else he can do,” Wayne said. “I think he’s been doing that. We’ve missed him a couple times when he’s been open, but there’s been some plays where he’s dropped the ball, too, so it’s an opportunity for him to really show everybody what he’s capable of.”As Wayne observes how Downs handles the next 12 days on and off the field, the coach himself said he’s not focused on what’s going on outside his own receivers room. Though he acknowledges his own experiences as a plyer, he said it’s not his job to do more than coach up the receivers the best he can and deal with whoever is in his room at any given moment.“I’m going to continue to coach and coach to the best of my abilities. That’s my job. I’m gonna do my job, and you ain’t got to worry 'bout that,” Wayne said. “We can go winless from this point on, and you just know Reggie is going to do his job. Reggie’s going to do his part.“I’m gonna be ready. I’m gonna have my dudes ready, and we’re going to go out there and kick somebody’s (expletive).”Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter..oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Reggie Wayne on Josh Downs' reaction to trade request: 'He put himself in this situation'