Cowboys rookie DB gets early trash talk from older brother WR ahead of 2026 matchup

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.”

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.