Colts reportedly sign wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie on Tuesday
What it means:
The Indianapolis Colts have reportedly signed wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie.
McKenzie will likely play a slot role for the Colts after he logged 80.2% of his snaps inside last season and Parris Campbell left for New York. In an offense ranked tenth in pass percentage last season, expect the 27-year old to see WR4 volume behind Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
On 62 targets in 2022, McKenzie ranked 61st among wideouts with a 65.8 Pro Football Focus offensive rating while recording 42 receptions for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns and 1.10 yards per route run.
The Colts are signing McKenzie to a contract Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
What it means:
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 room, alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, though the team could still add pass-catchers in April's draft. The Colts could also additionally bolster the quarterback room, currently led by Gardner Minshew.
The Bills released McKenzie on Friday, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.
What it means:
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.
McKenzie finished the regular season with 42 catches for 423 yards and four TD receptions to go with nine carries for 55 yards and a rushing TD over 15 games.
What it means:
McKenzie served as the No. 3 receiver for most of the season, but his week-to-week production was spotty between inconsistent usage and some minor injuries. He never posted more than three catches or 40 yards after Week 13, including the playoffs. Still, overall it was a decent season for the 2017 fifth-rounder, as McKenzie had previously never reached this level of production. His role as the No. 3 receiver is far from secure, as the Bills have a number of young receivers, plus Cole Beasley might give it another go for one more season while veteran Jamison Crowder will likely be healthy again soon.
McKenzie (hamstring) was listed as a full participant during Wednesday's walkthrough and said he'll be good to go for Sunday's divisional-round matchup against Cincinnati, Thad Brown of WROC-TV reports.
What it means:
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 but didn't do any running during Wednesday's practice because it was a walkthrough. It appears that, barring any setbacks, Mckenzie will resume his duties as Buffalo's top slot option, which would likely mean less playing time for Khalil Shakir, Cole Beasley and John Brown. 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.
Bills' Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring) logs full practice on Wednesday, expects to play against Bengals
What it means:
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring) was a full participant at practice on Wednesday ahead of Sunday's Divisional Round game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
McKenzie opened the week with a full practice on Wednesday after sitting out last week's Wild Card win over the Miami Dolphins. Asked if he would be "good to go Sunday" McKenzie replied "Yes". Barring a setback, he should be able to face Cincinnati on Sunday.
The Bills are 4.5-point favorites over the Bengals on Sunday. Their implied team total of 26.50 points is the third-highest team total on the four-game 'Sat-Sun' slate, according to numberFire's DFS Heat Map.