Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) is not on the team's initial injury report. This is an excellent sign as the wideout was battling a hamstring injury throughout most of August. However, seeing him practice in full on Wednesday should put him in an excellent position to be at full strength in their season opener on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the week in case he faces a setback. Last season, despite playing with subpar QB play, Downs flashed immense upside as he averaged 13.1 PPR points per game across 14 contests. During this stretch, Downs tallied 57.4 yards per game and scored five touchdowns. With Daniel Jones slated to serve as the QB1 in Indianapolis, Downs possesses high-end WR3 upside facing the Dolphins.
Sep 3, 2025 4:09 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen expects wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) to be back on the practice field next week before the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 7. Downs suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 14 and has been held out of practice since, but it sounds like he's improving and should be ready for the start of the regular season in early September. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of North Carolina took a step forward in his second year in Indy in 2024 with 72 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns on 107 targets over 14 games (eight starts). Downs has a limited fantasy ceiling because of his mediocre athleticism, but Daniel Jones winning the starting QB job was good for his value as a WR4/flex flier later in fantasy drafts. He'll be in starting three-wide sets with Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.
Aug 25, 2025 8:13 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) was held out of practice again on Thursday, per James Boyd of The Athletic. Downs exited the team's joint practice with the Green Bay Packers last Thursday with a left hamstring injury and has not practiced since. The 24-year-old is one of the better slot and short-area receivers in the NFL, so his presence on the field is crucial for Colts quarterback Daniel Jones. If Downs were to miss time, it would likely benefit the target volume for wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. Assuming Downs' availability for the start of the regular season is not under threat, he profiles as a WR4 with a fairly safe floor, particularly in PPR-scoring formats.
Aug 21, 2025 8:18 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) has not participated in team activities since exiting last Thursday's joint practice against the Green Bay Packers with an apparent left hamstring injury. One of the buzzier names in fantasy circles, the Colts hope that Downs can be a comfort blanket to freshly-named starting QB Daniel Jones, but he has a history of nagging lower-body injuries. He missed the first two games of 2024 with a high ankle sprain sustained late in training camp. Fellow wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (groin) was able to return to the field on Wednesday after tweaking his groin in the same joint session and sitting out of Tuesday's practice. The Colts also spent a first-round pick on All-American tight end Tyler Warren, and second-year wideout Adonai Mitchell is said to have turned it on of late, so the team will not be without capable pass-catchers to begin the year. Still, the health of Downs is worth monitoring as he will likely be held out of the team's final preseason game on Saturday.
Aug 21, 2025 9:35 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) left Thursday's training camp practice early due to a left-hamstring injury, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Downs injured his hamstring on a play and immediately went to the trainers while walking off the field under his own power. As Holder says, it's definitely a situation worth monitoring after he became a bigger part of Indy's offense in 2024 with a 72-803-5 line on 107 targets in 14 games (eight starts) in his second year in the NFL. For now, we'll consider Downs day-to-day until we know more about the severity of his injury. The Colts' quarterback situation makes all of their receiving targets less than ideal for fantasy purposes, but Downs is worth a look as a WR4/5 for WR depth in fantasy if he's healthy. If Downs' hamstring injury lingers, it will benefit Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce (groin) the most.
Aug 14, 2025 5:05 PM EST
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs' presence is hard to miss at training camp practices and he "gets targeted a lot, and not just in the short area." Downs appears to be getting separation in practices this summer. Quarterback Daniel Jones wasn't very accurate deep down the field in his time with the New York Giants but if he's more comfortable in the short-to-intermediate areas, Fowler thinks Downs will be a primary target. The Colts' QB situation is far from settled, but Anthony Richardson Sr. is also improving in the middle of the field. The 23-year-old former third-rounder (79th overall) in 2023 out of North Carolina took the next step with a 72-803-5 line in 14 games (eight starts) a year ago. However, a lack of size and the unattractive Colts QB battle hurt Downs' overall fantasy upside as a WR4/flex.
Aug 4, 2025 12:51 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (undisclosed) and tight end Drew Ogletree (undisclosed) both miss Wednesday's voluntary practice with soft-tissue injuries. Downs has had his share of injuries already through two NFL seasons, so although it's early in the offseason, his health is worth watching closely the closer we get to training camp and the preseason. The 23-year-old former third-rounder (79th overall) in 2023 out of North Carolina took a small step forward in 2024 with a 72-803-5 line on 107 targets over 14 games (eight starts). A lot of his production last year came with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco under center, and his 5-foot-9, 171-pound frame limits his overall upside. Downs' 2025 fantasy value will likely hinge on who wins the Colts' QB competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
May 28, 2025 10:24 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught 10 of his 13 targets for 94 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts' passing attack has seen a significant boost ever since quarterback Joe Flacco took over for the injured Anthony Richardson (back), but Downs truly took his productivity to the next level during Sunday's season finale. He finishes the 2024 campaign with 72 catches, 803 yards, and five touchdowns. Each of these three marks represented season-highs, topping the totals he delivered as a rookie last year. Downs has firmly established himself as an appealing 1B option with the Colts, pairing nicely alongside their 1A receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. The UNC product will rank as a high-end WR3 when 2025 fantasy football drafts kick off next summer, and he has even greater appeal in dynasty leagues.
Jan 5, 2025 8:52 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs closed out the season on a high note, catching 10 of 13 targets for 94 yards, although he was unable to find the end zone in the 26-23 overtime win over the Jaguars. The 23-year-old missed three games this season due to injury but still managed to set new career highs in catches (72), yards (803), and touchdowns (5). Inconsistent and ineffective quarterback play seemed to hold back all of the Colts receivers this season, with none truly separating themselves as a true No. 1. Alec Pierce ended up leading the team in yards (824) and touchdowns (7), but he did it on only 37 receptions, while Michael Pittman Jr.'s numbers were nearly identical to Downs' with 69 catches and 808 yards. Anthony Richardson's play will likely depress Downs' value in 2025 fantasy drafts, but that could make him (and Pittman Jr.) possible values if the offense can improve in 2025.
Jan 5, 2025 8:15 PM EST
After averaging over five catches per contest after Week 11, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has had four consecutive weeks with exactly three receptions. Be that as it may, Week 18 brings a matchup versus the Jaguars, the same team the 23-year-old posted nine catches on 12 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown back in Week 5. That game featured Joe Flacco under center too, so Downs will look to replicate that success and end the season on a high note. Jacksonville has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but the second-most to running backs, so the Colts may lean toward the ground game in this one instead. As a result, view Downs as a low-end WR3 with perhaps some upside in PPR formats if he and Flacco can get rolling again against the Jags.
Jan 4, 2025 10:46 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was limited to just three catches on four targets for 22 yards and no scores in Sunday's 45-33 loss to the Giants. After showing a rapport earlier in the season with Joe Flacco under center, the veteran looked at both Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce more often with a combined 15 targets between them. Seemingly the No. 1 option around midseason, the 23-year-old has fallen out of favor regardless of who has been at QB, now with four straight contests with exactly three catches for a total of 142 yards and one touchdown over that stretch. The Colts, although eliminated from playoff contention, will get a favorable matchup in the final week of the season in a home contest against the Jaguars and Downs will look to finish the season on a high note.
Dec 29, 2024 9:28 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is coming off of his third consecutive game with exactly three catches, although those nine catches came on 19 targets. Fellow wideout Michael Pittman Jr. seemed like Anthony Richardson's preferred option based on his 13 receptions over the last three games, but looking closer, Pittman Jr. had the same amount of targets as Downs over that stretch (19). While Downs' aDOT of 7.12 yards contrasts with Pittman Jr.'s 11.26, they are basically the Colts' 1A and 1B receivers for fantasy purposes this week. That is, if Anthony Richardson is under center for the Colts, but after missing practice all week with back and foot injuries, the second-year QB is at risk of missing Week 17's matchup with the Giants. If that happens, Joe Flacco will slide in as QB, and the 39-year-old showed more rapport with Downs than Pittman Jr., with Downs logging a 36-338-1 line (five games) compared to Pittman Jr.'s 13-139-1 line (four games) with the veteran at the helm. Neither one makes for a great play this week, as both look like high-end Flex options with Richardson calling the plays, but Downs has WR3 upside if Flacco gets the start.
Dec 27, 2024 6:48 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught three of four targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-30 win over the Titans. While it doesn't sound like much, the three catches were a team-high and so were the targets and the yardage total as quarterback Anthony Richardson was asked to throw the ball just 11 times in the game while the rushing attack racked up 335 yards. The 23-year-old has three catches in three consecutive games and at least three in 11 of the 12 games he's played, giving him a reliable floor. However, with meager yardage totals more often than not and sporadic TDs, it'll be hard to trust him next week in fantasy championships as anything more than a WR3 in a showdown with the Giants. New York has been surprisingly good at limiting wide receivers in fantasy production, perhaps in part because they are awful against the run, so Richardson and Jonathan Taylor will likely be relied upon to carry the load again.
Dec 23, 2024 12:43 AM EST
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
Copyright 2025 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
