Will wide receiver Darius Slayton play for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5? Who knows. Fans of the team might have thought he would play in Week 3 after signing just before then as a free agent. Slayton had the same thought.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Slayton said, "When I signed, I felt like I was ready to go, and I’d be able to participate the first week I signed here. But at the same time, obviously, I got into practice that week, and (coach Shane Steichen) and everybody else felt like, ‘Hey, let’s give you more time."
Slayton did say he agreed with the decision, but what else was he going to say? To publicly state he was unhappy with not immediately playing when the team obviously had a need at wide receiver, especially in Week 4 when Alec Pierce and Keenan Allen were also missing with injuries, would likely end with Slayton being released.
Darius Slayton might be just as confused as Indianapolis Colts fans about his use
Maybe he isn't the best wideout in the league, and potentially something else is going on that reporters and fans don't see, but Slayton was released by the New York Giants after final roster cuts, and he was a healthy release. He isn't injured and should be in football shape, having gone through training camp and the preseason.
Steichen does run a complex system, but Slayton is a veteran who probably wouldn't take that much time to acclimate to the scheme. Plus, he played with quarterback Daniel Jones when both were with the Giants in previous seasons, so there should be a built-in rapport.
The Indianapolis Colts obviously aren't going to offer much on the subject. The organization, from general manager Chris Ballard down, has mastered the art of not giving details on the current situation, other than often offering that things need to be "cleaned up" and that players are "progressing" toward whatever goal they have.
It's not the truth, and maybe the team feels affronted when asked a question as if they have the codes to nuclear missiles. The whole scenario is ridiculous, especially when other teams offer more information, but not in a way where they are giving away a game plan.
Fans should be asking why Darius Slayton hasn't played. He was signed to be the explosive element the team was missing, with a hobbled Alec Pierce, who reinjured his heel and has no timeline for his return. The offense has been pedestrian without a true downfield threat, and Slayton could offer that aspect.
Hopefully, Week 5 will be different, and when the Indianapolis Colts meet the Pittsburgh Steelers, Slayton will get some reps. Maybe he won't be productive, but the team can't know that until they give the wide receiver a chance to play.
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