Reggie Wayne just keeps going

Indianapolis and the NFL were buzzing about T.Y. Hilton heading into Monday’s game, yet Reggie Wayne once again led the way and made some NFL history in the process.

by Mark Sandritter

Oct 15, 2013, 12:10 PM UTC

Sam Greenwood

If you listened to the pundits, Reggie Wayne has been in decline for four seasons. After all his yards per catch had dropped and he failed to top 1,000 yards in 2011. Coming off a 140-yard performance against Seattle some anointed T.Y. Hilton Indianapolis' new No. 1 receiver.

More on Wayne and the Colts: Stampede Blue

Hilton may still prove to be the go-to guy for the Colts, but on Monday Night Football it was Wayne once again leading the way. Wayne led the Colts with five catches and 88 yards and became the ninth player in NFL history to catch 1,000 passes in his career. The 34-year-old is now eighth all time with 1,001 receptions in his career. On top of it, Wayne shows no signs of slowing down. He now has 33 receptions for 453 yards this season and is averaging 13.7 yards per reception, his highest average since 2008.

Wayne was overshadowed by Marvin Harrison at times earlier in his career, but has proven to be one of the more consistent wide receivers in NFL history. Now in his 13th NFL season, Wayne recorded at least 65 receptions and 800 receiving yards in 10 of his first 12 seasons. Only Jerry Rice and Tony Gonzalez have accomplished that feat more times. Wayne is well on his way to an 11th season as he's currently on pace for 88 receptions and 1,208 receiving yards. If he stays on that pace, he could move into eighth all time in receiving yards.

If Wayne does indeed top 1,000 yards this season, it will be the ninth time he's done that in his career, tied for the third-most in NFL history. Another 1,000 yard season next year and Wayne would join Jerry Rice and Randy Moss as the only players to accomplish the feat 10 or more times.

Wayne may not always be mentioned in the discussion of the all-time great wide receivers, but statistically he’s proven he belongs, and if the first six games of this season are any indication he may not slow down anytime soon.