Chiefs acquire Josh Downs and waive two players

The Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts before the NFL trade deadline, sending Indianapolis 2027 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks and receiving a 2027 seventh-round pick in return. The Chiefs announced the trade on November 11, along with the waivers of receiver Nikko Remigio and defensive end Jack Pyburn.

Downs, 25, had 33 receptions for 354 yards and one touchdown in nine games with Indianapolis this season. The 2023 third-round draft pick is in the final year of his contract. The move gives Kansas City another receiver as injuries have affected its receiving group, including a hamstring injury to Xavier Worthy and an ankle injury that sidelined Tyquan Thornton.

The Chiefs did not announce what role Downs will have in their offense. He played primarily as a slot receiver for the Colts, and reports on the trade described him as an addition to Kansas City’s passing game. The team’s post-trade receiving order has not been established publicly.

Remigio’s waiver also leaves a question about Kansas City’s return duties. He appeared in all eight of the Chiefs’ games this season, recording 12 kickoff returns for 318 yards and 14 punt...