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: Makes impact on punt returns
Rotowire
McKenzie had one reception for three yards on his only target. 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
Rotowire
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: Best season as a pro
Rotowire
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.
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 they are looking to develop, plus Cole Beasley might give it another go for one more season while veteran Jamison Crowder will likely be healthy again soon.
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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.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Inactive Sunday
Rotowire
McKenzie (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's playoff game against the Dolphins.
McKenzie was listed as questionable for the contest after not practicing Thursday or Friday and he'll sit this one out. In his absence, Khalil Shakir, Cole Beasley and John Brown are candidates to log added snaps behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. McKenzie will thus target a potential return to action next weekend, should the Bills advance to the divisional round of the playoffs.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Questionable for Sunday's game
Rotowire
McKenzie (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's playoff opener against the Dolphins after not practicing Thursday or Friday, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.
McKenzie's status for the Bills' wild-card round contest could come down to a game-time decision ahead of the team's 1:00 ET kickoff Sunday. In the event that McKenzie is limited or unavailable for the contest, Khalil Shakir, John Brown and Cole Beasley would be candidates to log added snaps versus Miami behind top wideouts Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Limited practice Wednesday
Rotowire
McKenzie was listed as a limited practice participant Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reports.
It's unclear if the hamstring issue is something McKenzie picked up during the Bills' Week 18 win over the Patriots or during Wednesday's practice. Either way, the wideout's status is now worth tracking ahead of the Bills' wild-card game against the Dolphins on Sunday.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Five catches in Week 13 win
Rotowire
McKenzie brought in all five targets for 44 yards in the Bills' 24-10 win over the Patriots on Thursday night.
McKenzie checked in third in receptions and second in receiving yards on the night for the Bills, putting together a solid follow-up performance to his 6-96-1 line against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day. The versatile sixth-year pro has at least four catches in three of his past four games, giving him some momentum heading into a critical Week 14 divisional home clash against the Jets a week from Sunday.
McKenzie figures to stay involved in the Bills offense on two fronts: His speed forces any defense to alter its coverage, and the Bills' run game doesn't figure to get a ton of work against New England's dominant front (which is a huge difference from, as an example, their game plan for Week 11 against the Browns). And if the Bills are somehow trailing, McKenzie should run a slew of routes to help up his target share. I'm ready to trust McKenzie again as a flex over Diontae Johnson, Brandin Cooks, Marquez Valdes-Scantling or Cole Kmet.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Leading receiver in Thursday's win
Rotowire
McKenzie caught six of 10 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in Thursday's 28-25 win over the Lions.
The slot receiver led the Bills in receiving yards in the Thanksgiving Day victory, opening the scoring for his club with a 19-yard TD grab late in the first quarter. The 96 yards and 10 targets were season highs for McKenzie, while the touchdown was his first since Week 4 and his fourth of the year. He'll look to make an impact again in an AFC East battle against the Patriots in Week 13.
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Bills' Isaiah McKenzie: Invisible in win Sunday
Rotowire
McKenzie failed to haul in his only target in Sunday's Week 11 win over the Browns in Detroit.
McKenzie played 37 percent of Buffalo's offensive snaps in the contest, his fewest of the campaign. This was his first game in 2022 during which he's failed to record at least one catch, and he also didn't receive a carry for the first time since Week 6. Meanwhile, Khalil Shakir saw a slight uptick by playing 26 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but he also didn't record a catch (and didn't even see a target). For the time being, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis are the only Bills wide receivers who can be confidently started in most fantasy formats.
