McKenzie signed with the Colts this offseason, and he could be the No. 4 receiver in Indianapolis behind Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs but is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues if he remains in that role. McKenzie spent the past five seasons in Buffalo, and there was some thought that he could have a breakout campaign in 2022. But he managed just 7.9 PPR points per game, and it's hard to expect much more production with the Colts. If McKenzie does well meshing with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, add him off the waiver wire. But given his overall body of work, McKenzie is not expected to make much of an impact for Fantasy managers in 2023.
Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Estimated as DNP on Wednesday
Rotowire
McKenzie (toe) was listed as a nonparticipant on the Colts' practice estimate Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
McKenzie played just five offensive snaps during Sunday's win versus the Buccaneers, and that he may have been nursing a toe injury would be a reasonable explanation for his limited involvement. Indianapolis' injury reports Thursday and Friday will give a better idea of whether he'll be available in Week 13 at Tennessee.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Plays just six snaps on offense
Rotowire
McKenzie had one carry for three yards and didn't have a target in Sunday's 27-20 win over Tampa Bay. He also returned one punt for 13 yards.
McKenzie played just six snaps on offense as he moved back to mostly a special teams role with the Colts' top three receivers healthy.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Four grabs in win
Rotowire
McKenzie reeled in all four of this targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Patriots.
McKenzie four receptions on four targets and 31 yards were season-highs in each category. Additionally, the veteran's 46 percent offensive snap share was his highest mark of the 2023 campaign. With that said, McKenzie was unable to take a big leap in his production as fellow wideout Michael Pittman soaked up 12 targets from Gardner Minshew. The 28-year-old McKenzie should continue to stay off the fantasy radar going forward based on his minimal product through 10 games. The Colts enter their Week 11 bye before hosting the Buccaneers on Nov. 26.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Two receptions in win
Rotowire
McKenzie had two receptions for 12 yards on three targets in Sunday's win at Carolina. He also had three punt returns for an 11-yard average.
McKenzie played a season-high 24 snaps on offense with Josh Downs leaving with a knee injury. McKenzie would likely be the starting slot receiver Sunday against the Patriots in Germany if Downs were to miss the game.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Gets one carry in loss
Rotowire
McKenzie had one carry for seven yards but did not have a target in Sunday's loss to Cleveland. He also returned two kickoffs for a 19-yard average and four punts for a 9.5-yard average.
McKenzie left briefly after being checked for a concussion. He played a season-high nine snaps on offense, but that usage isn't enough for viable fantasy value in most leagues outside of those that include return yards.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Two receptions in loss
Rotowire
McKenzie had two receptions for 23 yards on two targets and returned two punts for 13 yards in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
McKenzie played just four snaps on offense as continues to primarily serve as a special-teams player. However, he could see a larger role on offense if Alec Pierce misses time with a shoulder injury.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Takes over kick-return role
Rotowire
McKenzie had one carry for four yards and wasn't targeted in Sunday's win over Tennessee. He returned one punt for five yards and one kickoff for 19 yards.
McKenzie was used on a gadget option play in the backfield but otherwise wasn't a factor in the offense. He played on seven of the offense's 66 snaps. His primary role remains in the return game, where he added kickoff-return duties to his punt-return job after the season-ending injury to Dallis Flowers (Achilles).
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Just one reception
Rotowire
McKenzie had one reception for six yards on three targets in Sunday's overtime loss to the Rams. He also returned one punt for 13 yards.
McKenzie played on seven of the offense's 64 snaps as he continues to have a limited role as the fourth receiver. He could have a larger role on special teams with Dallis Flowers' season-ending Achilles injury, as McKenzie may take over Flower's role as the primary kickoff returner as well.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Makes impact on punt returns
Rotowire
McKenzie had one reception for three yards on his only target in Sunday's overtime win over Baltimore. He also returned two punts for 16 and 32 yards.
McKenzie played just nine snaps on offense, a slight increase from two snaps Week 2. He has a limited role as the Colts' fourth receiver but made an impact as a punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Records first reception with Indy
Rotowire
McKenzie had one reception for seven yards on one target in Sunday's win at Houston. He also returned one punt for no gain.
McKenzie played just two snaps on offense after only playing special teams in Week 1. McKenzie lost the starting slot receiver role to rookie Josh Downs in preseason, and the former is therefore likely to mostly be used as a punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Limited to punt returns
Rotowire
McKenzie had two punt returns for an average of 10 yards in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville. He played just one snap on offense and didn't have any targets.
McKenzie lost the starting slot receiver role to rookie Josh Downs, and it looks like he'll have a very limited role on offense. He'll be used as the team's punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Brought back by Indy
Rotowire
The Colts re-signed McKenzie on Thursday.
After initially cutting McKenzie earlier Wednesday, the Colts opted to bring the veteran slot man aboard, likely at a more team-friendly price. As Week 1 approaches, McKenzie will likely vie with rookie Josh Downs for snaps alongside the team's top two receivers, Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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Isaiah McKenzie: Let go by Indianapolis
Rotowire
The Colts released McKenzie on Wednesday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
The move doesn't come as a total shock, given the lack of guaranteed money on McKenzie's one-year contract. Rookie Josh Downs locked down the No. 3 wideout job for Indianapolis, and he and cornerback Dallis Flowers can handle any return work that might otherwise have gone to McKenzie.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Plays with backups
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McKenzie caught his only target for eight yards in Thursday's 27-13 preseason win over the Eagles.
McKenzie appeared to only play with the backups, while rookie Josh Downs (no catches on two targets) took a vast majority of snaps with the first-team offense alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. If it's the same alignment Week 1 against Jacksonville, it might mean McKenzie is limited to work on returns and perhaps the occasional trick play or jet sweep.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Gets start at slot receiver
Rotowire
McKenzie drew the start as the No. 3 receiver in Saturday's preseason loss at Buffalo and had three receptions for 20 yards on four targets.
McKenzie did draw criticism from his receivers coach for a miscommunication on a route that led to an opening-drive interception, but he was otherwise productive. He's battling rookie Josh Downs for the slot receiver role. The job battle may not be decided until late in the preseason.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Listed as No. 3 receiver
Rotowire
McKenzie is listed as the No. 3 receiver on the Colts' first unofficial depth chart of the preseason, Raven Moore of the team's official site reports.
He's notably listed ahead of rookie Josh Downs, his primary competition for the slot role, though McKenzie getting the No. 3 designation may be in deference to his veteran status. Given the third-round draft capital the Colts invested into him, Downs may still be the frontrunner to win the slot job, but McKenzie could still craft out a meaningful rule even as Indianapolis' No. 4 receiver and punt returner.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Faces slot WR competition
Rotowire
McKenzie will face competition for the starting slot receiver role from 2023 third-round pick Josh Downs, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Indianapolis wide receiver coach Reggie Wayne called Downs the best receiver in the 2023 draft class, so that may be an indication he has a head start in the race. The Colts signed McKenzie for just one year and $1.23 million, so it's not a lock he even makes the Week 1 roster. However, the Colts may want to begin the season with a veteran in the slot if Downs has any growing pains in training camp, especially if rookie Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall pick in this year's draft, wins the starting quarterback job over Gardner Minshew.
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Colts' Isaiah McKenzie: Finds home in Indy
Rotowire
The Colts are signing McKenzie to a contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
McKenzie put up a 42-423-4 receiving line across 15 games with the Bills last season, in addition to nine carries for 55 yards and a rushing score. He could get a chance to earn significant playing time in Indianapolis' receiving corps, alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, though the team could still add pass-catchers in April's draft. The Colts could also additionally bolster their quarterback room, currently led by Gardner Minshew.
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Isaiah McKenzie: Let go by Bills
Rotowire
The Bills released McKenzie on Friday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
Per Getzenberg, by releasing McKenzie, the Bills are in line to save over $2 million against this year's salary cap. During the 2022 season, McKenzie recorded 42 catches for 423 yards and four TDs as well as nine carries for 55 yards and a rushing TD in 15 games. The 2017 fifth-rounder will now look to catch on with another team looking to add wide receiver/return help.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Full participant, says he'll play
Rotowire
McKenzie (hamstring) was listed as a full participant during Wednesday's walk-through practice and said he'll be good to go for Sunday's divisional-round matchup against Cincinnati, Thad Brown of News 8 Rochester reports.
McKenzie was inactive for the Bills' wild-card win over Miami due to a hamstring injury. However, per Brown, the slot wideout said he's about 90 percent healthy, despite not taking part in any running during Wednesday's practice because it was a walk-through workout. Barring any setbacks, McKenzie will resume his duties as Buffalo's top slot option, which would likely mean less playing time for Khalil Shakir and Cole Beasley. Across 15 regular-season appearances, McKenzie caught 42 of 65 targets for 423 yards and four scores. He also rushed nine times for 55 yards and an additional score.
