Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs returned from a one-game absence after the Colts' bye week in Week 15, only to produce three catches for 32 yards. While the eight looks the 23-year-old drew were encouraging, Anthony Richardson's sub-50% completion rate continues to limit Indy's receivers. On top of that, the second-year quarterback has four rushing touchdowns on the ground over the last four weeks compared to just three through the air (along with four INTs), further capping their upside. In addition, the Colts take on the Titans in Week 16, a defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers on the season. Michael Pittman Jr. has been more productive over the last four weeks, but Alec Pierce will be out on Sunday as he recovers from a concussion, so Downs could benefit from a few extra looks. The former third-round pick is shaping up to be a WR4 this week in a contest that features one of the lower expected totals on the board.
Dec 21, 2024 12:38 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) returned from injury on Sunday, but was only able to corral three of his eight targets for 32 scoreless yards in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Broncos. With quarterback Anthony Richardson completing less than 50% of his passes in the contest, no receiver had a big day in this offense. The eight targets were second to Michael Pittman Jr.'s nine, but it was at least an encouraging sign that more bountiful fantasy days could be ahead if Richardson can fix the accuracy issue. With the fantasy football playoffs upon us, there isn't much time to resolve it though and the 23-year-old is probably too risky to play in most leagues. The Titans, next week's opponent, are middle of the pack versus wide receivers in terms of fantasy points allowed, and just allowed 14 catches for 182 yards to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but Downs will be a dicey WR option given his environment.
Dec 16, 2024 12:36 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. He had been listed as questionable, but the expectation was that he'd be able to play. Downs has appeared in 10 games this year, catching 53 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns. The 23-year-old seemed to play better when catching passes from Joe Flacco, but even with Andy Richardson under center, he's still a solid WR3/FLEX option as the fantasy playoffs get underway in most leagues.
Dec 15, 2024 3:04 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) is anticipated to suit up for Sunday's contest versus the Denver Broncos. The wideout was battling a shoulder injury, keeping him off the field for the Week 13 meeting with the New England Patriots. Fortunately, the Colts were off in Week 14. But with Downs logging full practice sessions during the week, he's expected to be back, which is good news for fantasy managers. The 23-year-old has been productive in his 10 appearances this season, amassing 53 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns, making him a starting fantasy option for the challenging matchup against the Broncos.
Dec 14, 2024 11:55 PM EST
According to James Boyd of The Athletic, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Downs was unable to suit up in Week 13 with this same injury but had a bye week during Week 14, which gave him additional time to recover. In addition, Downs was able to log two full practices on Thursday and Friday, which is also a positive sign for his availability. Across ten games this season, the sophomore wideout has averaged a solid 13.8 PPR points per game and tallied 59.4 yards per game. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend, but Downs should be in a good position to return to action. However, he has a tough task ahead of him, facing a Denver secondary that has allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
Dec 13, 2024 4:19 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, an upgrade over his limited session on Wednesday. Downs did not play in the team's win over the New England Patriots in Week 13 and had last week's bye to rest up. The extra rest appears to have done the 23-year-old well, as he's currently on track to make his return versus the Denver Broncos on the road in Week 15. Downs has improved in his second NFL season, but he had a higher fantasy ceiling when veteran quarterback Joe Flacco was running the offense. Anthony Richardson's accuracy issues are well-documented, giving Downs more bust potential as a WR4/flex. In his last two games with Richardson under center, Down has eight catches for 111 yards and a TD. The Week 15 matchup in Denver isn't an ideal one, either.
Dec 12, 2024 5:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) is taking part in Thursday's practice session. Downs was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday coming out of the team's Week 14 bye, and he has a real chance at returning this weekend for a big game against the Denver Broncos on the road. The 23-year-old sat out of the Week 13 win over the New England Patriots due to a shoulder injury, but he appears to be on the right track to make his return in Week 15. Downs' potential return is bad news for Michael Pittman Jr. in Indy's low-volume passing attack. From Weeks 8-12, Downs saw at least nine targets three times, went over 100 yards receiving once and caught two touchdowns for the Colts to become a weekly flex option with upside in fantasy. Fantasy managers may want to temper expectations in Week 15 if he returns, though, especially against a tough Denver defense.
Dec 12, 2024 1:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) will practice on Wednesday. He suffered a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of the Colts' Week 12 loss to Detroit and missed Week 13's contest against the New England Patriots. With Downs practicing on Wednesday, he is trending in the right direction toward being active for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. The Colts are a few games out of the last playoff spot, so they must finish the season strong to have a chance to play in January. Downs production has been boom-or-bust this season. The 23-year-old has 53 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns over 10 games in 2024. However, in a game script that may have the Colts playing from behind, Downs should see targets in Week 15, making him a viable WR3 if he's active in Week 15.
Dec 11, 2024 11:50 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen is unsure if wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) will be ready to roll for a Week 15 showdown against the Denver Broncos after the bye in Week 14. Downs injured his shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Buffalo Bills and was unable to play in the Week 13 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday. It's telling that the Colts are unsure if Downs will be ready, even with the benefit of a bye this week. It was another low-volume passing game for quarterback Anthony Richardson against New England, as he attempted only 24 passes. Michael Pittman Jr. unsurprisingly led the team with only 42 receiving yards. Alec Pierce had only two catches for 16 yards but did find the end zone for a crucial TD, while rookie Adonai Mitchell couldn't convert on his two targets. Downs should be stashed in most fantasy leagues, but he might not be able to return until Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans.
Dec 2, 2024 1:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receivers Josh Downs (shoulder) and Aston Dulin (ankle) have officially been ruled out for Sunday's tilt versus the New England Patriots in Week 13. After injuring his shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions, Downs was fighting an uphill battle to play this week against the Patriots, and now he's officially out. Fantasy managers will obviously want him on their benches in Week 13. A bye in Week 14 will hopefully give Downs all the rest he needs to be good to go in Week 15 to face the Denver Broncos. Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce (foot) and rookie Adonai Mitchell figure to be Indy's top three receivers this Sunday with Downs sidelined. The 23-year-old Downs has become one of the team's most dynamic receiving weapons in 2024 in his second season, catching 53 of his 78 targets for 594 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.
Nov 29, 2024 2:03 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant during Wednesday's estimated practice report as the team only held a walkthrough. Downs was initially deemed "week-to-week" after sustaining this shoulder injury during their loss to the Detroit Lions last weekend. However, the team has yet to rule Downs out, so fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor his status throughout the week. However, seeing him open the week as a non-participant is not a positive sign. Before Week 12, Downs was enjoying a nice stretch of performances as he averaged a strong 17.0 PPR points per game during Weeks 8 through 11. If Downs is unable to suit up, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce (foot), and rookie Adonai Mitchell would lead the passing attack.
Nov 27, 2024 5:14 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder) won't be ruled out for Week 13 against the New England Patriots at this time, but "it's gonna be tough" for him to be available this Sunday after injuring his right shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions. The Colts listed the 23-year-old as week-to-week earlier this week, so fantasy managers would be wise to move him to their benches for the time being and see how much he's able to do in practice this week from Wednesday through Friday. Downs looked to be in quite a bit of pain on Sunday, but the good news is he was able to return late in the contest. Still, it sounds like he's fighting an uphill battle to play in Week 13. If Downs is ruled out, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell would start in three-wide sets for the Colts.
Nov 27, 2024 12:07 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (shoulder), who injured his right shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday, is considered week-to-week and is a long shot to play in Week 13 against the New England Patriots, according to a source. However, the belief is he didn't suffer a major injury, so perhaps Downs will be ready to go in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos after the team's bye in Week 14. If the 23-year-old is unable to go against New England, it will mean that Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell will start in three-receiver sets. Downs caught just three of his seven targets for 27 yards on Sunday against the Lions but had become the team's leading receiver in previous weeks. He's up to 53 receptions for 594 yards and four TDs in 10 games in his second NFL season and deserves to be stashed until he can return to the fold in Indy.
Nov 25, 2024 12:07 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was limited to just three catches for 27 yards in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Lions. Downs, who had been the Colts' most reliable pass catcher over the course of the season, tied Michael Pittman Jr. for a team-high seven targets, but couldn't translate it into production. Richardson completed only 39.3% of his passes (11-for-28), so there wasn't much fantasy goodness to be had and blame should probably be placed on the QB and some untimely penalties rather than on Downs. The 23-year-old also exited briefly due to a shoulder injury but was able to return shortly thereafter. The Patriots pose less of a challenge in Week 13 and Downs will have a good chance to get back on track despite Richardson's deficiencies. Keep an eye on his practice status throughout the week, as the former third-round draft pick likely slots in as a WR3 if healthy.
Nov 24, 2024 10:34 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs leads his team in targets (71) and yards per game (63.0). Quarterback Anthony Richardson looked his way five times in Week 11 and Downs caught all five balls for 84 yards and a touchdown. Coming into the contest with a 44.4% completion rate, there were concerns about Richardson's ability to get his receivers the ball, but he proved that he could still do it, even against a strong Jets pass defense (20-for-30, 66.7%). The Colts are seven-point underdogs for Sunday's contest against the Lions so there should be plenty of opportunities for Downs as the offense tries to keep pace with Detroit. With five catches in six of nine games played and the clear No. 1 receiver, the former third-round draft pick has a pretty reliable floor. The second-year pro sets up as a back-end WR2 this week with some small upside given his ability to find the zone (four TDs in 2024).
Nov 22, 2024 6:30 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs reeled in all five of his targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in a 28-27 win over the Jets on Sunday. With Anthony Richardson showing a bit more accuracy this week, Downs maintained his status as the Colts' most reliable pass catcher, leading Indy's receiving corps in yardage while scoring the only offensive touchdown outside of Richardson's two rushing scores. It was the third straight game with at least five catches for the 23-year-old and sixth time in nine games. The former third-round draft pick will face off with the Lions in Week 12, a defense that is easier to throw on than run against, and could be playing from behind all day which should afford him plenty of opportunities again.
Nov 17, 2024 9:15 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been his team's most reliable fantasy receiver so far in 2024, but with the Colts switching back to Anthony Richardson at quarterback, Downs' fantasy value undoubtedly takes a hit. In three games together this season, Downs caught just eight of 17 targets from Richardson. Still, the 23-year-old leads his team in receptions (45), targets (66), yards per game (60.4), and yards after catch (211) despite playing in only eight of the Colts' 10 games. The schedule affords Downs no favors, however, with the Indy taking on the Jets this week on the road, a defense that has allowed the fewest points to WRs this season. While the former third-round draft pick has been a solid WR2 the last two weeks, his situation and matchup deem him closer to a WR3 in Week 11.
Nov 15, 2024 5:36 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs led his team in targets and receptions in Sunday's 30-20 loss to the Bills, hauling in seven of 10 passes thrown his way for 72 yards. While it was productive and what fantasy managers have grown accustomed to from him, it could have been better had he not dropped what would have been an easy score early on in the game. Still, it was the third straight game in which the former third-round pick has recorded at least nine targets and sixth time in eight games that he's reached that level, affording him plenty of opportunities for receptions and a solid weekly floor. The 23-year-old will have a more difficult task in Week 11 as the Colts take on a Jets defense that has been great at limiting fantasy points to opposing receivers. Downs likely projects as a fringe WR2 next Sunday so long as Joe Flacco remains under center.
Nov 10, 2024 9:28 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been one of the lone bright spots on offense regardless of who has been under center for Indy, accruing nine or more targets in five of the seven games he's played and nabbing six or more receptions in four of them. One of those instances came just last week when he hauled in six of nine targets for 60 yards from Joe Flacco, who will once again be quarterbacking his squad in Week 10. While their opponent, the Buffalo Bills, has been good against the pass by allowing the sixth-fewest points to WRs, the Colts will be without Michael Pittman Jr. on Sunday, so Downs should be the unquestioned No.1 receiver. With a 6.58 aDOT, Downs' receptions will likely be of the short variety, but he does offer solid YAC (yards after catch) ability, and as four-point underdogs on their own turf, the Colts could be playing catch-up all game, so Downs should be dependably involved. As such, the 23-year-old is a solid WR2 this week.
Nov 8, 2024 8:19 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs led the receiving corps in targets, receptions, and yards in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings, hauling in six of nine balls thrown his way for 60 yards. No other receiver on the team caught more than three passes. Unfortunately, Downs and the rest of the offense were unable to find the end zone, with the lone TD for the Colts coming on the defensive side of the ball. The good news is that the 23-year-old has garnered at least nine targets in five of the seven games he's played this season, making him the most reliable fantasy asset out of all the pass catchers on the team. The bad news is that the Bills are his Week 10 opponent, and they've allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to WRs thus far. The UNC product is likely a WR3 in that matchup, perhaps borderline WR2 in PPR leagues.
Nov 4, 2024 11:00 AM EST