The Indianapolis Colts signed Darius Slayton in mid-September hoping the veteran wide receiver could stretch the field while Alec Pierce recovered from a heel injury that landed him on injured reserve.
Slayton arrived after the New York Giants released him at the end of the preseason, and the move made practical sense given his deep-threat profile and prior experience catching passes from Colts quarterback Daniel Jones.
Yet three weeks later, the 29-year-old has yet to appear in a game for his new team.
His first two absences were understandable. After weeks away from organized team activities, Slayton needed time to regain game shape and absorb the Colts’ scheme.
Head coach Shane Steichen later described him as still learning the offense, and Slayton himself acknowledged that while he felt ready upon arrival, the coaching staff preferred a more gradual ramp-up.
Being a healthy scratch in Week 4 against the Commanders raised eyebrows, but it still fit a measured integration plan.
Week 5 brought a different explanation. Slayton was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers because of a knee injury that surfaced late in the week.
He was not listed on the injury report Thursday, then appeared as a limited participant on Friday, suggesting the issue developed during or immediately after that practice.
It marked the first time he had shown up on an injury report this season. While it remains unclear whether the Colts would have activated him even without the setback, the knee problem made the decision straightforward.
The inactive list once again included his name.
The rest of the receiver room offered a mixed picture. Keenan Allen, listed as questionable with a groin issue, was active. Ashton Dulin remained out with a hamstring injury after missing the entire week of practice.
Pierce, meanwhile, continues on injured reserve; Sunday marked the third game of his absence, and he must miss at least one more. The original plan had been for Slayton to help fill that void, yet the window is narrowing.
If Pierce returns on the earliest possible timeline, the opportunities for a newly signed veteran who has not yet taken a snap may shrink further.
For a Colts passing attack that has searched for consistent vertical presence without Pierce, Slayton’s prolonged absence is notable. His career production—nearly 300 receptions and more than 4,400 yards—suggests he can contribute in a complementary role once healthy and fully up to speed.
For now, though, a late-week knee injury has extended his wait, leaving Indianapolis without the additional perimeter option it targeted when it added him.
