The Kansas City Chiefs acquired wide receiver Josh Downs from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday before the NFL trade deadline, adding help to an injury-depleted receiving group.

The Chiefs gave Indianapolis 2027 fourth- and fifth-round draft picks in return for Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick. The Colts announced the deal shortly after ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported it on X.

Trade: the Colts are trading wide receiver Josh Downs to the Chiefs, sources tell @rapsheet and me.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 10, 2026

Kansas City receiver Xavier Worthy injured his left hamstring late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 35-12 victory over the New York Jets. Worthy is expected to miss several weeks, The Associated Press reported.

The Chiefs have faced other injuries at receiver. Rashee Rice returned in Week 8 after a hamstring injury cost him three games, while top deep threat Tyquan Thornton sustained a serious ankle injury a few weeks ago.

Downs had requested a trade and responded to the news on X with a single celebratory GIF. It was his first X post since the summer, and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes answered with an alarm-clock image.

"I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love For the Shoe," Downs also wrote on X.

I am beyond grateful and blessed for my time in Indy. Nothing but love For the Shoe.

— JD (@JoshDowns) November 10, 2026

Downs, 25, has caught 33 passes for 354 yards this season, scoring once in nine games. He led Indianapolis in receiving yards and ranked second in targets.

Through Week 9, Chiefs wide receivers produced 46.0% of Kansas City's receiving yards, the NFL's second-lowest share, according to NFL Next Gen Stats.

Downs primarily plays in the slot and stands fifth in separation score among qualifying receivers this season, according to a Sports Illustrated analysis. Rice ranks 103rd.

Indianapolis selected Downs out of North Carolina in the third round of the 2023 draft. In 2024, he reached career highs with 803 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Downs requested a trade after Indianapolis sent guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The Colts initially held onto Downs, and coach Shane Steichen persuaded him to keep participating. Indianapolis traded him after two more games, with free agency approaching in early 2027.

Downs dropped two passes in Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys and told reporters afterward, "I got some things I've got to fix on my own."

After that game, Downs told reporters he was open to staying or being traded. "I said I'm open to whatever, and if they want me to stay here, I'm going to stay here," he said.

Downs' contract ends after this season, when he is due to enter free agency. The AP reported that Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has shown a willingness to give new contracts to players acquired by trade.

Indianapolis traded four players before the deadline, with Downs following Nelson, Buckner and receiver Keenan Allen. Allen went to the 49ers earlier Tuesday for a sixth-round pick. The Colts kept running back Jonathan Taylor despite interest from other teams.

The 2-7 Colts began their sell-off after firing general manager Chris Ballard, a former Chiefs front-office member. Top receiver Alec Pierce is on injured reserve without a return timeline.

It was not immediately known whether Downs will play for the Chiefs on Sunday.

The 6-2 Chiefs visit the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after missing last season's playoffs, which ended their run of three straight Super Bowl appearances.