"Reggie Wayne had Curtis Painter's back when the Indianapolis Colts made a midweek move aimed at strengthening their backup quarterback situation.

The Pro Bowl receiver took it a step further Friday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium. Action replaced words.

Wayne was the catalyst as Painter passed for 171 yards and two first-half touchdowns. He had six receptions for 105 yards, including a 57-yard touchdown.

Everything else seemed secondary, especially the Packers' 24-21 overtime victory that came on Mason Crosby's 50-yard field goal as time expired.

The loss was the Colts' ninth straight in preseason, a franchise record, and their 26th in the past 30 games. The Colts led 21-13 late in the fourth quarter only to give up 11 points in the final 35 seconds.

The familiar ending was preceded by an encouraging first half by Painter. And Wayne.

"Reggie's a playmaker,'' Colts coach Jim Caldwell said. "That's the way he's played since he walked on our field. . . . He steps up when needed.''

Painter was the center of attention Wednesday when the Colts signed veteran Kerry Collins to a two-year, $14 million contract. The move presumably was made with the idea Collins, not Painter, would start the Sept. 11 season opener at Houston if Peyton Manning's ongoing rehabilitation from neck surgery forces him to miss his first career start.

Wayne remained Painter's staunchest and most vocal supporter.

"I'm letting it all out for Painter,'' he said Wednesday. "I'm a Painter fan. I just hope I can hold my end up and make it a tough decision for the organization.''

Painter's first two drives accomplished little. Suddenly, he found his rhythm, in large part because he began finding Wayne."