Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts
Wide Receiver #1
FANTASY NEWS STATS INJURY

Josh Downs News RotoBaller

Josh Downs to Play in Week 8 After Making Trade Request

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs will play on Sunday in Week 8 against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars despite his trade request, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Running back Jonathan Taylor, who is another trade candidate for the Colts, will also be active this weekend, and both players are expected to see normal workloads. The 25-year-old Downs wants to be the next one to go after the Colts sent Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week. Perhaps a change of scenery would benefit Downs, who has struggled in 2026 despite the injury to Alec Pierce (heel) that landed him on Injured Reserve. Downs has 26 receptions through seven games for 307 yards and no touchdowns. He has quickly become a hard-to-trust WR3/flex for fantasy managers.

Oct 30, 2026 9:20 AM EST

Josh Downs Requests Trade From Colts

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is requesting a trade, sources tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. The Colts traded Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, and Downs wants to be next to go before the Nov. 10 deadline. Despite Alec Pierce (heel) being on Injured Reserve since Week 3, the 25-year-old Downs has not taken advantage of a bigger role in Indy's passing game this year, catching just 26 of his 46 targets for 307 yards (11.8 yards per catch) and no touchdowns in seven games played. He had just two grabs on four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. A receiver-needy NFL team will likely take a shot on the former third-rounder from North Carolina, but a trade out of Indianapolis will not guarantee that Downs will bounce back for fantasy managers who continue to hold him. In addition to Downs, veteran wideout Keenan Allen and star running back Jonathan Taylor could be dealt as the Colts sell off assets for draft capital following their 2-5 start.

Oct 28, 2026 8:37 AM EST

WR-Needy Teams Calling Colts About Josh Downs

Wide receiver-needy NFL teams have called the Indianapolis Colts on wide receiver Josh Downs, several league sources told Jordan Schultz. The Colts traded away Pro Bowl offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, and Downs could be next to go as the 2-5 Colts continue to clean house for draft capital. The 25-year-old Downs caught just two of his four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings as he continues his disappointing 2026 season. The former third-rounder from North Carolina has yet to find the end zone through seven weeks and has 26 receptions on 46 targets for 307 yards (11.8 yards per catch ) to begin his fourth year in the NFL. Downs' production, or lack thereof, is even more disappointing when considering that Alec Pierce (heel) has been on Injured Reserve after aggravating his surgically repaired heel in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. In addition to Downs, the Colts could trade away veteran receiver Keenan Allen and star running back Jonathan Taylor before the Nov. 10 deadline.

Oct 27, 2026 1:31 PM EST

Josh Downs a Potential Trade Candidate Ahead of NFL Deadline

With the Indianapolis Colts officially signaling themselves as sellers with their trade of six-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Insider Ari Meirov lists wide receiver Josh Downs among a group of players who could be next to be moved. A preseason fantasy darling, Downs has disappointed in 2026, topping 50 receiving yards only twice and failing to find the end zone through seven games. Currently the fantasy WR46, the fourth-year veteran could benefit from a change of scenery, and his situation bears monitoring ahead of the NFL's November 10 trade deadline.

Oct 27, 2026 9:49 AM EST

Josh Downs Disappoints in Week 7 Loss to Vikings

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught just 2 passes for 18 yards in a 16-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7. The lackluster effort is just the latest in a non-productive fantasy season for the 25-year-old wideout. The Colts offense struggled overall against Minnesota, with quarterback Daniel Jones completing 13 of 22 pass attempts for 108 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Keenan Allen led the receiving corps with three catches for 31 yards. Sunday's game was another reminder that Downs should not be started in fantasy leagues right now.

Oct 25, 2026 12:00 PM EST

Josh Downs Remains Bench Material For Brutal Week 7 Matchup

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has not been a productive fantasy wideout this season despite what looked like expanded opportunities for him. He seemed set for more looks in the passing game due to the injuries to Colts WR1 Alec Pierce (heel) and TE1 Tyler Warren (groin). That hasn't come to pass, as he's scored single-digit PPR fantasy points in each of his last three games. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has been unproductive, to be fair, but he's also targeted his outside receivers at a higher rate -- veteran wideout Keenan Allen out-targeted Downs in Week 6, and it's hard to see why that might change. The Vikings should pummel Jones all game with their blitz-heavy scheme -- they've done an amazing job at pressuring opposing signal-callers this year. Downs is shaping up to be a huge fantasy disappointment this year, and should not be in starting lineups anywhere.

Oct 24, 2026 9:08 AM EST

Josh Downs has Not Taken Advantage of Colts' Injuries

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has 42 targets through the first six weeks of the 2026 season, but it has led to only 24 catches for 289 yards and no touchdowns. That qualifies as a disappointment for the 25-year-old, especially since Alec Pierce (heel) is on Injured Reserve, essentially making Downs the Colts' top pass-catcher. Tight end Tyler Warren (groin) also missed the Week 6 loss to the division-rival Tennessee Titans, and although Downs saw eight targets from quarterback Daniel Jones, he brought in only four of them for 40 yards and was kept out of the end zone yet again. Downs has finished with under 50 receiving yards in four of his six games so far this year, and his struggles have been amplified by the fact that he has not had a single touchdown catch yet. If the Colts continue to struggle in the coming weeks, Downs could be a candidate to be traded, which could actually be a plus for his rest-of-the-season outlook. Right now, Downs is still rostered in 87% of Yahoo leagues, but his fantasy managers are probably running out of patience. Pierce will not be back this weekend, but Downs faces a tough matchup against the 5-0 Minnesota Vikings.

Oct 21, 2026 2:58 PM EST

Josh Downs' Expiring Contract Could Factor Into Colts' Trade Plans

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs could factor into the team's trade-deadline decisions after Monday's firing of general manager Chris Ballard. ESPN identified Downs and Keenan Allen as two players on expiring contracts who could help Indianapolis recoup draft capital, especially after the Colts gave up their 2027 first-round pick in last year's Sauce Gardner trade. Downs, 25, has caught 24 of 42 targets for 289 yards through six games while playing about 81% of the team's offensive snaps. His age and established role make him a potential long-term piece, but the organization has to decide whether to pursue an extension or explore his trade value ahead of the November 10 deadline. No trade negotiations involving Downs have been reported. Allen's situation is also worth watching, as the veteran has caught 26 passes in five games, and moving him could open more targets for Downs if the younger receiver stays in Indianapolis.

Oct 21, 2026 6:19 AM EST

Josh Downs Still Searching For Breakout Game in Week 6

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs just hasn't been a huge part of his team's game plan this season. Even after injuries to WRs Alec Pierce (heel) and Keenan Allen, Downs failed to have any big games this season, and has seen just 10 targets in his last two games combined. He wasn't able to eclipse double-digit PPR fantasy points in either. Despite separating well on film and being a reliable short-to-intermediate option in the passing game, Downs has been quiet for fantasy football this year. Frustratingly, he often takes a back seat to WRs like Laquon Treadwell, which can be infuriating for fantasy managers. The underlying efficiency metrics are encouraging, but they don't mean much when Indy just doesn't look the way of its slot receiver enough. Downs is a risky start due to his low volume this year, and there are better options if you're looking for a good WR3/flex for Week 6.

Oct 17, 2026 1:01 AM EST

Josh Downs Failing to Capitalize During Pierce's Absence

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has failed to produce in back-to-back weeks. In the first three games this season, Downs had 14 receptions for 186 yards and 11 targets in Week 3, following wideout Alec Pierce's ankle injury. In Weeks 4 and 5, Downs caught just six of 10 targets for 63 yards, while tight end Tyler Warren and receivers Laquon Treadwell, Keenan Allen, and Ashton Dulin outproduced him. His usage has been solid, with Downs playing 80% of snaps and running 88% of routes. However, Daniel Jones's struggles have made Downs too hard to trust in fantasy lineups. Additionally, Pierce is eligible to return from injured reserve after Week 6. If he does, Downs would become a droppable player upon Pierce's return.

Oct 16, 2026 5:43 AM EST

Josh Downs Has Upside In Week 5 Despite Disappointing Week 4

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been separating from defensive coverage very well this season. His problem has just been that he hasn't gotten the ball enough. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones hasn't been a productive passer, and it's dragged the whole offense down. Downs was only targeted four times in Week 4, but that could be simply an impossibly low number for Week 5, as Indy is dealing with yet more injuries to its already thin pass-catching corps. WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 5, and WR Keenan Allen (groin) is dealing with a groin strain and is questionable to play. It's possible that Jones continues to be stubborn, and simply gives extra targets to WR Darius Slayton (knee), but it would be unwise. Downs is a reliable target, but it's obvious now that Jones prefers to hit his bigger-bodied wideouts. If he decides he wants to get easy completions and move the chains, and perhaps even win the matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, Downs should bounce back.

Oct 10, 2026 7:32 AM EST

Josh Downs Needs a Bounce-Back in Week 5

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is hopeful that better days are ahead for him against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5. Downs was almost non-existent during last week's win over the Washington Commanders. He hauled in three of his four targets for 16 yards during the overseas victory. Before that game, Downs had posted back-to-back 70-plus yard performances. He'll draw a tough matchup against the Steelers secondary this weekend. It's hard to get excited about Downs as anything more than a flex option for this Week 5 road contest in Pittsburgh.

Oct 9, 2026 6:34 PM EST

Josh Downs A Massive Fantasy Football Bust in Week 4

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs appeared set to have a massive game against the Washington Commanders in Week 4. They have a weak pass defense, and have been ineffective at slowing down opposing wideouts this season. But Downs, despite getting open on multiple occasions, was only targeted four times in Week 4. He caught three of those passes for 16 yards. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is partly at fault, as he threw only 143 passing yards. His ineffectiveness this season has held back Downs quite a bit. But even WRs Ashton Dulin and Laquon Treadwell topped Downs' targets and yardage marks. His target share of just under 12 percent was miserable for his fantasy production and concerning for his future. Jones just didn't look his way enough, for whatever reason. There isn't much deep analysis to do on Downs' poor game except that he may not get as many looks as fantasy managers would have hoped even when he's separating well from defensive coverage. He's falling down into WR4 territory, and it's hard to be optimistic about his Week 5 matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Oct 4, 2026 9:33 PM EST

Josh Downs A Start-Worthy Fantasy Football WR3/Flex In Week 4

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has settled into a larger role in his team's offense after the injury to Colts WR1, Alec Pierce (heel). Pierce will miss at least three more weeks after re-aggravating the heel injury in the leg he had surgery on in the offseason. Downs was targeted a season-high 11 times in Week 3, which was his most volume in a game since 2024. He caught five of those passes for 77 yards. The Commanders have a soft pass defense, which should be a good matchup for Downs on paper, though they tend to be leakier against outside receivers than those in the slot. His diminutive size keeps him in the slot mostly, but he's been one of the NFL's best separators and has averaged 13.3 yards per catch, a healthy clip considering his best capability is his short-area route running. Downs is in WR3/flex territory for this matchup, and is worth a start in 12-team full-PPR leagues for Week 4.

Oct 3, 2026 2:21 AM EST

Josh Downs Making the Most of a Bigger Opportunity

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has become a much bigger part of the passing game over the last two weeks. Downs followed seven catches for 72 yards against Kansas City with five receptions for 77 yards on a team-high 11 targets in Sunday's win over Houston. That gives him 12 catches for 149 yards on 20 targets during that stretch. Alec Pierce (heel) landing on injured reserve has opened more opportunity, but Downs has done his part to earn it. He and Daniel Jones spent considerable time working together during the offseason while Pierce was unavailable, and that connection is starting to show up on Sundays. Downs has also moved from WR24 in RotoBaller's final Week 3 rankings to WR21 in the early Week 4 half-PPR ranks. Indianapolis gets Washington next, and another game without Pierce should leave Downs with plenty of chances to keep this recent run going.

Sep 30, 2026 8:37 AM EST

Josh Downs Primed For Breakout In Week 3 vs Houston

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs will be a bigger part of his team's passing offense in Week 3 against the Houston Texans. Colts starting WR Alec Pierce (heel) was placed on injured reserve after aggravating a heel injury in Week 2. With Indy's most productive receiver from last season sidelined, Downs will be tasked with absorbing some of his teammate's vacated targets. Downs has been one of the most efficient receivers in football when on the field. His upside has been limited by a lack of usage in the pass game, playing mainly in the slot, and not seeing much downfield work. Pierce's absence necessitates that some of those things change. The Texans have one of the NFL's better defenses, but they allowed higher-than-average slot WR production in 2025 as a result. Downs and tight end Tyler Warren are the only healthy pass-catchers on the Colts that have shown reasonable upside this season. Expect Downs to eclipse 10 targets this game, and start him as a WR3/flex with upside in fantasy football leagues.

Sep 26, 2026 9:04 AM EST

Josh Downs Has More Work Coming His Way

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs finally got going in Week 2, catching seven of nine targets for 72 yards in the overtime loss to Kansas City. He had only two catches for 37 yards in the opener, so the jump in involvement was hard to miss. Alec Pierce left Sunday's game in the first quarter after aggravating his surgically repaired heel and is now slated to go on injured reserve. That should leave more work for Downs, even after Indianapolis signed Darius Slayton this week. Keenan Allen and Tyler Warren are still going to command targets, so this is not suddenly a one-man passing game. Downs does have a clearer path than he did a week ago, though. He led the Colts in targets, catches, and receiving yards against the Chiefs and now has nine receptions for 109 yards through two games. RotoBaller has him at WR26 for Week 3 against Houston. With Pierce set to miss time, Downs has a chance to turn one busy night into a much steadier role.

Sep 24, 2026 8:00 AM EST

Josh Downs Busy and Productive In Week 2 Loss

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was targeted nine times in his team's Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He converted those looks into seven catches for 72 yards. It was a refreshing game for him after he only saw four passes go his way in Week 1. He's the primary slot receiver for this team, but doesn't see the field much on 2WR sets, meaning his upside is heavily capped. However, he's likely set to have a bigger role in the near future, as Colts starting WR Alec Pierce (heel) re-injured the heel he struggled with in the offseason. Pierce was likely rushed back into action too soon, meaning Indianapolis could choose to be more cautious with him moving forward. A big role in 2WR sets isn't likely for Downs, though, because he's a diminutive receiver that struggles to block much bigger players on run plays. His ceiling case is more likely as long as Pierce is out, and he could see a high target rate. Downs moves into WR3/flex territory as long as Pierce remains unable to play, and should be rostered in all fantasy leagues. A Week 3 matchup with the Houston Texans might seem tough on paper, but they've struggled the past two weeks. Downs is in good shape to have another nice game.

Sep 20, 2026 11:38 PM EST

Josh Downs A Deep League Starting Option For Week 2 at Chiefs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs didn't do much in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, catching just two of his four targets for 37 receiving yards and finishing with only 5.7 PPR fantasy points. It's not all doom and gloom, though. The Ravens totally dominated the Colts defense on the ground, and dominated time of possession. Additionally, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon late last offseason, and he's still working his way back to full health. Downs is typically a very efficient receiver on a yards per route basis, though he mostly plays in the slot, meaning he's off the field for 2WR sets while WRs Alec Pierce (heel) and Keenan Allen stay on the field, since they're better blockers. Downs is the third option in this passing offense, after Pierce and tight end Tyler Warren. He can be started in deep PPR leagues for his upside, though he may need some time to get going this season on a struggling offense. He's still a very good short-to-intermediate route runner with excellent change-of-direction ability.

Sep 19, 2026 4:37 AM EST

Josh Downs' Stock Down After Underwhelming Week 1 Usage

As he has done throughout his four-year career, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs worked primarily from the slot in a Week 1 loss to the Ravens, and although he led the team in pass-play snaps, he earned only three targets, finishing with two receptions for 37 yards. With fellow wideout Alec Pierce seemingly being eased back toward a full workload and running only 22 total routes after missing most of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery, Downs had the opportunity to seize a more impactful role, but he was unable to capitalize. After missing practice on Thursday with a heel injury, Pierce returned to the field on Friday, and there is an expectation that his involvement will continue to ramp up, so Downs' usage will need to be monitored moving forward, but a similar role in the team's Week 2 matchup with the Chiefs could lead to him becoming an early-season drop candidate.

Sep 18, 2026 10:00 AM EST