Colts rule out Darius Slayton against the Steelers with a knee injury

The Indianapolis Colts downgraded wide receiver Darius Slayton to out on Saturday for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team announced the change, and longtime Colts reporter Mike Chappell said Slayton hurt his knee in Friday's practice.

What is confirmed

Slayton will not play in Week 5. He showed up on the Colts' practice report for the first time this week on Friday with the knee injury and was listed as questionable that afternoon. Saturday's downgrade removes any game-time decision.

He has yet to make his Colts debut. Indianapolis signed him on Sept. 22, and he has not played in a game since then.

The Colts made two more moves with the announcement. They elevated wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine from the practice squad for Sunday, and they placed defensive end Arden Key on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, which keeps him out at least the next four games. Key had already been ruled out for this week.

Who plays instead

Keenan Allen is questionable with a groin injury but was a full participant in Friday's practice, which points toward him playing. Ashton Dulin was ruled out on Friday. That leaves Westbrook-Ikhine as the depth piece the team added specifically for this game.

No timeline has been given for Slayton beyond this week. The team has not said whether the knee is a short-term issue or something longer.

What RSO owners should do

If you have Slayton in a Week 5 lineup, move him out now. Since he has not played a snap for Indianapolis, most owners holding him are doing so as a depth stash, and there is no reason to drop him on one missed game.

Allen owners should check for his final status before Sunday's early games, since the Colts are thin at receiver this week. Westbrook-Ikhine is not a lineup option in most RSO leagues.

Watch the Colts' first practice report next week. If Slayton is limited or a full participant by midweek, this is likely a one-game absence. If he misses practice again, his path to a role in this offense gets longer.