Three years removed from his last NFL catch back in the 2023 season, the 31-year-old NFL journeymansnagged a 48-yard bombfromColtsquarterbackDaniel Jonesin overtime last Sunday under the lights inKansas City, propelling theColtsinto the red zone with a chance to win the game.
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The problem?Treadwell slipped coming down with it and bobbled it around in his hands. In an attempt to gain an extra yard or two, he got back up and had the ball punched out by a Chiefs defender before Kansas City pounced on what they believed to be a game-winning strip. In reality, officials ruled Treadwell had been narrowly downed by a fingertip or two, but the lesson stayed.
And so Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, again with theColtson their own side of the field, again with head coach Shane Steichen and quarterbackDaniel Jonesneeding a chunk of yards to advance into scoring position while trailing with under two minutes left in regulation, Treadwell's number was called.
The 2016 first-round pick cut on a 20-yard in-breaking route over the middle and saw the ball coming his way, and Treadwell watched it into his hands and skidded to a stop on the turf.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deion Burks (80) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (left) kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou watches from the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) greets center Tanor Bortolini (60) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon signs an item for a fan Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (left) greets her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief brand officer, walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Simone Biles poses for a photo Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
The roof and windows are open Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts fans ‘The Clown’ poses for a photo on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Jacob Bardtmueller from New Haven watches from the stands on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
1/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
2/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
3/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts safety Camryn Bynum (0) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
4/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
5/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Deion Burks (80) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
6/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen watches Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
7/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles (left) kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
8/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard (15) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
9/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) warms up Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
10/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Chip Ganassi Racing driver Álex Palou watches from the sidelines Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
11/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) greets center Tanor Bortolini (60) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
12/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon signs an item for a fan Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
13/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (29) looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
14/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles (left) greets her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
15/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
16/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Kalen Jackson, Indianapolis Colts owner and chief brand officer, walks the sideline Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
17/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
18/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Simone Biles poses for a photo Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
19/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
The roof and windows are open Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, before a game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
20/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Indianapolis Colts fans ‘The Clown’ poses for a photo on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
21/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
22/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
23/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
24/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Jacob Bardtmueller from New Haven watches from the stands on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
25/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
26/26
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Texans in NFL Week 3
Fans take their seats on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, ahead of the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
"I told myself, 'I'm gonna stay down this time,'" Treadwell chuckled. "I'm not getting up. It's funny, (Colts wide receivers coachReggie Wayne) was like, 'Why didn't you get it on the run?' But I'm like, 'Yo, I said I learned my lesson. I'm gonna stay down.'"
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The ball was Treadwell's first target all game, though that's nothing compared to not seeing a single one for more than two seasons. Treadwell saw just three targets in 2023 while with the Ravens, making a single catch. In his first two seasons with the Colts (2024 and 2025), the ball never even went his way in his 43 offensive snaps logged.
Sunday, trailing by a point with just more than 90 seconds to go and his team facing the prospect of falling to 0-3, Treadwell came through when Jones finally looked his way.
"Man, it's been amazing, just showing that the work is paying off, just the consistency of the same mindset," he said. "That's years of just keeping grinding and working all summer and spring with Daniel. And after the play, when we were lining up for the field goal, Daniel turned to me and said, 'I knew I could trust you in that moment.' And that meant the most. It means that work, showing up, being consistent and spending extra time watching film, it's all paying off."
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