When the Indianapolis Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers this past offseason, the move left a void among the team's wide receiver group. Pittman was a WR1, but now the team needed a WR3 to take his spot. That player hasn't been found yet.
General manager Chris Ballard is certainly looking, though, but in some odd places. While the team has an easy answer to fix their WR3 issue, Ballard appears to be attempting the least logical path. On Saturday, the team hosted veterans Josh Reynolds, Tre'Quan Smith, and Equanimeous St. Brown.
The player not listed above who could remedy what ails Indy is Keenan Allen. Allen played under head coach Shane Steichen when both were with the Los Angeles Chargers. The receiver isn't going to lead the league in receiving yards, but he doesn't need to in Indianapolis's scheme. He simply needs to be a valuable possession receiver, something he can probably do in his sleep.
Indianapolis Colts choose three odd wide receivers to work out
As for Reynolds, Smith, and St. Brown, what could Ballard possibly think any of them would add in terms of real production?
Reynolds was drafted in 2017, has bounced around the league, last appeared in a game in 2025 with the New York Jets, and hasn't had more than 40 catches in a season since 2020. And he's only had more than 40 once in his nine-year career. In the last two years combined, he has played for three teams and had a total of 24 catches for 295 yards.
Smith has been even less productive recently. He hasn't played in an NFL game since 2023, when he appeared in one. Instead of signing Allen, which shouldn't cost too much to begin with, Ballard is trending toward going with the cheapest possible option. As the phrase goes, though, you get what you pay for.
St. Brown has a talented family member, at least. His brother is Detroit Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown. Equanimeous has more in common with Smith. He also didn't play in 2025 and only appeared in nine games combined between 2023 and 2024. In six seasons, he has two touchdown catches and has never had more than 21 catches in a season.
Obviously, bringing in a player on a visit implies to the player and fans that the Indianapolis Colts have some interest. Otherwise, why work the player out? What doesn't make much sense is why Chris Ballard would choose those three receivers to work out.
Where is Keenan Allen? Is Ballard not interested for some reason? These are questions that likely have no answers, unfortunately.
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