INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts began this work week as they always do — meeting, breaking down game film and preparing for their next opponent.
Except this is no typical week in Indy.
With the NFL's trading deadline set for Tuesday afternoon and speculation continuing to swirl about some of the team's top players being moved, the unknown has turned the most normal routines into a challenge for the Colts (2-7) including creating a game plan for Sunday's contest against Miami (1-7).
“If something happens, obviously, we'll have to adjust,” Steichen said Monday. “We'll go through our game plan stuff tonight, tomorrow, but we'll know tomorrow at 4 o'clock (who we have) and we'll get it all figured out tomorrow night.”
The trade talk started heating up when team co-owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon fired general manager Chris Ballard. The Colts have since dealt two Pro Bowlers with expiring contracts, Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner, to NFC West teams and the rumor mill has only grown following those trades.
While All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor, quarterback Daniel Jones and receiver Josh Downs find themselves at the center of the discussions, they're not the only players contemplating potential changes.
Downs has requested a trade. But Pro Bowl cornerback Charvarius Ward has not and insisted Monday he's happy in Indy.
“I feel like it (a potential deal) is on everybody's mind,” he said. “If you're a good player, you feel like you've got a little value around the league. Teams might be interested in you. If a team needs a corner, I don't know if they're going to look for (me). But yeah, I've thought about it.”
The good news is that by the time the Colts practice Wednesday, they'll at least know who will be in the mix for their final eight games and what to install for the Dolphins game.
The bad news? Everyone must deal with another day of uncertainty.
“It'll be great to get the trade deadline over,” Steichen said. “Obviously, there's been a lot of speculation, a lot of talk, a lot of noise the last three weeks. So once that clears up (Tuesday) at 4 o'clock, you know, we can focus on what we need to focus on and that's football.”
Hunter Wohler. The second-year safety was a tackling machine at Wisconsin, but missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury. In his first career start Sunday, he showed he could be the same guy in the NFL, finishing with 16 tackles to double his career total.
Offense. It's not just Jones, whose only turnover against Dallas came on Indy's final play. The Colts need a deep threat to move defenses off the line of scrimmage and create openings for receivers and rushers. Until then, expect more of the same.
Seth McGowan. The rookie running back was impressive at training camp and has not disappointed in the regular season. He had six carries, 45 yards and one TD against Dallas. Taylor had 13 carries and 46 yards. McGowan's playing time also has increased with the trade speculation about Taylor. If the 2021 NFL rushing champ is dealt, McGowan will likely become Indy's new starter.
Downs. The long-awaited battle against his younger brother, Cowboys safety Caleb Downs, didn't follow the envisioned script. The Colts receiver caught three of six passes thrown his direction for 24 yards and had two drops — not exactly helping his stock after requesting a trade.
Three key defenders — cornerback Justin Walley (knee), linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (knee) and safety A.J. Haulcy (ankle) — were inactive against Dallas. Then Indy lost LB Jaylon Carlies (neck) and right tackle Jalen Travis (knee) in the first half. Travis is the replacement for Nelson. And after five straight losses, there's no reason to rush back WR Alec Pierce (heel) from injured reserve.
22 — The linebackers have struggled most of this season and the injuries gave Indy a chance to see what rookies CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher could do together. Allen, a second-round pick, had his best game with 10 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup. Boettcher added 12 tackles, giving the duo a total of 22.
It's unclear whether the trade talk has impacted Indy's play, but the Colts haven't looked good on offense or defense the last two weeks. Both have looked lethargic, which is why the Cowboys had a 508-271 advantage in total yards. If they can change those numbers, perhaps the Colts also can change directions as the schedule softens.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones runs past Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Dennis Gardeck during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor runs against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The two big additions the San Francisco 49ers made to their starting defense since coming back from the bye helped them deliver the type of defensive performance they will need to make a playoff run.
With star defensive end Nick Bosa back after missing five games because of a calf injury and DeForest Buckner playing his first game since being traded back to the 49ers during the bye week, San Francisco dominated defensively in a 38-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
“Those are two super disruptive players for our D-line and the offense has to have a plan for them at all times,” linebacker Fred Warner said about Bosa and Buckner. “It frees up a lot of things for the rest of the defense.”
While Bosa and Buckner didn't make many splash plays, their presence helped the defense deliver a lot.
The Niners (7-1) generated five takeaways in a game for the first time in nearly 12 years. All five came in the second half, starting with a pick-6 by rookie Jaden Dugger on the first snap of the third quarter.
San Francisco ended the game with takeaways on the final four drives, with Warner forcing a fumble and recovering one, while Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha had interceptions.
The 49ers also held Las Vegas to 24 yards rushing for the lowest total they allowed in a game since holding Atlanta to 17 yards on Nov. 8, 2015.
That's the formula they will need to replicate on defense down the stretch.
“We have the guys to do it,” Bosa said. “We're going to keep getting better. ... It's great to have (Buckner) back and we have the guys to do it.”
Buckner played his first game for the Niners since the Super Bowl following the 2019 season. He was traded the following offseason to Indianapolis and returned Oct. 27 when he was acquired from the Colts for a fourth-round draft pick.
Buckner had two quarterback hits and got one of the loudest cheers during pregame introductions.
“I definitely had some butterflies today,” he said. “Obviously, my first game being back, I was definitely nervous. I just had to tell myself, ‘Just go out there and play football.’”
Generating takeaways. After back-to-back games with no takeaways, the 49ers had five in a game for the first time since Nov. 16, 2014, against the Giants.
Guarding tight ends. The 49ers allowed 10 catches for 148 yards to Las Vegas tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer. That was the second-most yards they allowed to opposing tight ends in the last 19 seasons behind the 172 against Arizona on Dec. 17, 2023.
WR Jordan Watkins. With Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel sidelined, Watkins came through with four catches for 86 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown. Watkins has seven catches for 142 yards in his past two games. The 2025 fourth-round pick had only five catches for 82 yards in his career before that.
“J-Wat's done a good job with the opportunity that he's been given,” quarterback Brock Purdy said. “If he's got a one-on-one matchup, I'm not going to shy it down.”
Kick coverage unit. The Niners allowed a 54-yard kick return by Dylan Laube that set up a field goal. San Francisco has allowed the fourth-highest return average this season (27.8 yards per return) and the sixth-worst average starting field position after kickoffs (32).
DT Gracen Halton will miss the rest of the season after breaking his ankle. ... Green (back) and CB Deommodore Lenoir (foot) left the game and are day to day. … WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and DT C.J. West (knee) are expected back at practice Wednesday. … WR Mike Evans (Achilles tendinitis) won’t practice Wednesday but hasn’t been ruled out this week.
18 — Christian McCaffrey extended his record with his 18th career game with at least one touchdown run and catch. Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk is second with 15.
The 49ers visit Dallas on Sunday in search of the team's second 8-1 start to a season in the last 15 years. They also did it in 2019 on the way to the Super Bowl.
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San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) celebrates next to linebacker Jaden Dugger (53) after forcing a fumble, which the 49ers recovered, against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jaden Dugger (53) gestures after returning an interception for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) passes as San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) applies pressure during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (99) is introduced before an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kelley L. Cox)
