For years, Cowboys fans eagerly awaited a battle pitting brother versus brother: a talented defensive back wearing the silver and blue going one-on-one in coverage against his older sibling, a star receiver for an unfamiliar AFC foe in an interconference tilt.
Unfortunately-timed injuries kept Trevon and Stefon Diggs from ever facing one another in an actual game, though they did have a brief exhibition tangle in the 2022 Pro Bowl Games.
The Downs boys, however, are set to finally fulfill the prophecy in 2026.
The regular-season schedule isn’t out yet, but Josh Downs, the fourth-year veteran receiver for Indianapolis, already has one matchup circled on his calendar: the Colts‘ hosting of the Cowboys… and his little bro Caleb, the Ohio State safety who was a first-round pick by Dallas in this year’s draft.
“Not to talk about the Cowboys’ scheme or nothing, but he told me if he goes to the Cowboys, he’s playing nickel,” Josh told reporters in Indianapolis on Wednesday. “So, that’s, like, head-to-head, all game. I was like, ‘That’s interesting.’ So then he got drafted, I was like, ‘You know we play y’all this year,’ and he got all hyped. It’s all fun and games, but you know I got to still let him know he’s the little brother in the situation.”
#Colts WR Josh Downs on facing his younger brother, #Cowboys rookie S Caleb Downs, this year:
“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 the situation.”
(Cc: @jonmachota) pic.twitter.com/CvSdFjzbUL
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) May 6, 2026
Josh was a third-round pick out of North Carolina in 2023’s draft. Over three seasons with the Colts, he’s recorded 198 receptions for 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Caleb was the top-rated safety in this year’s draft class and was considered by many to be the top overall prospect. He’s expected to be one of the leaders of a revamped Dallas defense, even in his rookie campaign.
Josh showed plenty of support for his little brother on draft night. He even went so far as to wear enemy colors in celebration once Caleb got the call from Dallas, making him the No. 11 overall pick.
“I was wearing the hat all night. We went out later, and I had had a Cowboys hat on,” Josh explained to Colts media with a somewhat sheepish smile. “But then my sister was like, ‘Don’t you play for the Colts? Why you still got that on?’ I’m like, ‘I’m just being a brother today, but after that, I got to get rid of it.'”
Both Downs brothers will be wearing their respective team colors when Josh and the Colts host Caleb and the Cowboys at some point during the upcoming season in what will certainly be a must-see sibling showdown.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs gets early trash talk from WR brother Josh