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Ashton Dulin Emerging as Leading Candidate for Colts’ Open Third Receiver Spot

Pierce’s rehab timeline could force the Colts to rely on backups, testing the decision to trade Michael Pittman Jr.

Overview

  • In early June, coaches and reporters said Dulin took the majority of snaps at the outside receiver spot during OTAs and minicamp and is now the leading internal candidate for the WR3 role.
  • Alec Pierce underwent ankle surgery in April and did not attend minicamp, and head coach Shane Steichen has said Pierce is expected to return during training camp while his exact availability remains uncertain.
  • Steichen described the third-receiver job as an open competition and said consistency and day-to-day availability will be the deciding factors.
  • Commentators warn that trading Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason removed a proven target and could leave the Colts thin at receiver if Pierce’s recovery lags, with Josh Downs noted as another internal option to assume a bigger role.
  • Dulin’s rise would shift him from a career special-teams role into a larger offensive workload, increasing his snaps, target chances, and overall responsibility for the Colts’ passing game.