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Josh Downs and Caleb Downs, family rivals, are heading to an NFL field. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs, who was drafted in the third round in 2023, now knows he will line up against his younger brother in the 2026 regular season after the Dallas Cowboys selected Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys picked Caleb out of Ohio State. He won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025, and the matchup with Josh is already on both brothers' minds.
Josh made it clear he is not planning to go easy. In a video posted by the Colts on X, the receiver spoke directly about what he expects when the two teams meet.
"He told me if he goes to the Cowboys, he's playing nickel. So that's like head-to-head all game," Josh said. "I gotta let him know he's the little brother in this situation."
Caleb had his own response ready before the matchup is scheduled
The feeling is mutual. At the draft, Caleb already fired back:
"He was like, 'We played the Cowboys this year.' I'm like, 'Yeah, you could have a problem, but I am excited, and I'm sure my parents are as well, so that will be great for them.' But I just worry about playing football. We'll focus on the first game."
Colts WR Josh Downs on facing his brother, Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs, this season:
“He told me if he goes to the Cowboys, he’s playing nickel. So that’s like head-to-head all game… I gotta let him know he’s the little brother in this situation.”
The Colts and Cowboys are scheduled to face each other during the 2026 regular season; the exact date is still pending the full schedule release, though most matchups outside divisional games and designated international weeks are expected between Weeks 1 and 17.
The talk is already established, and with firm belief, the field will settle it.
Josh has 198 catches for 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns across three NFL seasons. Caleb, meanwhile, arrives as one of the most decorated defensive players in recent college football history.
Neither of them is backing down, so that should make their matchup interesting.
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