The Indianapolis Colts are signing one of Daniel Jones' former top receivers.
The Indianapolis Colts are signing free-agent wide receiver Darius Slayton, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of The Ringer/Netflix.
This signing comes in the wake of the Colts' top wide receiver, Alec Pierce, reaggravating his left heel injury, which he had surgically repaired in March. After signing a new four-year, $114 million contract, the recovery kept Pierce out all offseason, including training camp, until his return in late August.
Pierce played 32 snaps in Week 1 and left after 17 snaps at the end of the first quarter in Week 2 after limping off the field and being unable to put weight on his left leg. He was ultimately carted back to the locker room and ruled out.
"The X-rays on Alec Pierce’s heel were negative, but he did aggravate something in his heel that he had the procedure on," Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters on Monday. "We're still gathering information on that right now, and as soon as I have more information, I'll let you guys know."
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Pierce was gathering multiple opinions on his injury and is considered week-to-week. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport added that Pierce will attempt to rehab the injury rather than have another procedure, which would keep him out for several weeks, and if all goes well, he can be back by midseason.
Slayton (6'1", 198, 29 years old) was originally drafted by the New York Giants in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Auburn, the same year they took current Colts quarterback Daniel Jones in the first round.
Darius Slayton and Daniel Jones of the Giants during warm ups prior to the Houston Texans at the New York Giants in a game played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 13, 2022. The Houston Texans Face The New York Giants In A Game Played At MetLife Stadium In East Rutherford, NJ, on November 13, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.comThe two played together until Jones' release from the Giants midway through the 2024 season.
In seven years with the Giants, Slayton started 78-of-106 games and caught 296-of-522 targets for 4,435 yards (15.0 avg.) and 22 touchdowns.
Slayton started 12-of-14 games for New York in 2025, catching 37-of-63 targets for 538 yards (14.5 avg.) and a touchdown. He had core-muscle surgery during the 2026 offseason and was released by the Giants just before the regular-season opener after they'd rebuilt their receiver corps.
With the Colts, they are not only missing Pierce, who is their top deep threat, but fellow receiver Ashton Dulin is also currently out and considered week to week with an ankle injury.
They will likely need Slayton to be their top field-stretcher and play a significant role on offense. Like their other recent free-agent receiver signing, Keenan Allen, Slayton doesn't have much of a special teams background, playing just 22 snaps there in his seven-year career.
With Pierce out for multiple weeks, it certainly opens the discussion for him going on short-term Injured Reserve, which would make room on the roster for Slayton.
Currently on the roster at receiver, the Colts have Pierce, Allen, Dulin, Josh Downs, Laquon Treadwell, Deion Burks, and now Slayton. They also have Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Anthony Gould on the practice squad.
