Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is off to a quiet start to the season, catching 10 passes for 97 scoreless yards through three games. As emerging as the Colts' top option in 2024, the slot receiver has taken a backseat to Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Warren in the team's passing attack with quarterback Daniel Jones under center. That being said, he could see more work come his way with Alec Pierce (concussion) already ruled out for Week 4. Downs will look to get on track in a road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The Rams are allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to receivers this season. Downs sets up as a middling flex option in fantasy this weekend with the hope that he sees more targets with Pierce unavailable.
Sep 27, 2025 8:49 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was quiet in his team's 41-20 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. Downs caught just two of his three targets for 34 yards to finish fourth on the team in receiving. Through three weeks with Daniel Jones under center, Downs appears to have taken a backseat to Michael Pittman Jr. as the No. 1 receiver in the Indy passing attack. The veteran slot receiver will look to bounce back in Week 4's road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, but he's settling in as a WR5 in fantasy after a pedestrian start to the season.
Sep 22, 2025 6:47 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) shook off a slow Week 1 to post six catches for 51 yards in a Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos. He will look to keep it going in a Week 3 road matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Downs dealt with an ankle injury during practice this week, but practiced fully on Thursday and Friday, and does not have an injury designation heading into the weekend. The Colts have spread the ball around through two weeks, but Tyler Warren's toe injury could limit him this weekend, which would open up more work for Downs in the passing game. Treat Downs as a solid WR4/5 with a decent PPR floor heading into Week 3.
Sep 20, 2025 10:51 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday after missing Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury. Downs appears to be on track to play in the team's Week 3 contest against the Tennessee Titans. Through two games, Downs has recorded eight catches for 63 yards on 11 targets. The 24-year-old appears to be behind both wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Tyler Warren in the pass-catching pecking order for Indianapolis, at least early in the season. Downs profiles as a fantasy WR4/5 in Week 3 with a relatively safe PPR floor but limited ceiling.
Sep 18, 2025 4:33 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) is practicing on Thursday after he picked up a DNP in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's James Boyd. It's unclear if Downs was limited or a full-go, but the fact that he's back on the practice field gives fantasy managers hope that he'll be able to play in Week 3 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The 24-year-old caught just two of three targets for 12 yards in the season-opening win over the Miami Dolphins, but he bounced back with six catches for 51 yards on eight targets in the Week 2 victory over the Denver Broncos. If he's active, Downs will be an intriguing WR4/flex play in fantasy again this weekend against a Titans defense that has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to the position through the first two weeks.
Sep 18, 2025 1:21 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was unable to practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status. If he is unable to log a limited session by the end of the week, he could be in danger of missing their Week 3 contest against the Tennessee Titans. Through the first two games of the season, Downs has been deployed as their No. 3 WR. In Week 1, Downs only saw three targets. He was able to bring in two of them for 12 yards. However, in Week 2, Downs was able to see eight targets and caught six for 51 yards. Seeing that Downs is typically not on the field as often as Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman Jr., his upside will continue to be limited. If he can play against the Titans, he carries high-risk flex upside given his lower role in the offense.
Sep 17, 2025 4:42 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs disappointed in Week 1, catching just two passes for 12 yards in a win over the Miami Dolphins. Fortunately for his fantasy managers, Downs looked more like his usual self in Week 2, hauling in six of his eight targets for 51 yards against the Denver Broncos. With the Indy offense humming along with Daniel Jones under center, Downs should continue to string together productive fantasy outings, especially in PPR leagues. He should be treated as a high-end WR3/flex option heading into a Week 3 road matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Sep 15, 2025 8:35 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs will take on the Denver Broncos at home in Week 2. Downs turned in a disappointing Week 1 performance in a win over the Miami Dolphins despite the Colts scoring 33 points, catching just two of three targets for 12 yards. The veteran slot receiver will look to bounce back after that performance, but might have a tough time doing so against an intimidating Broncos secondary. That being said, top Denver cornerback Patrick Surtain II is likely to spend more time on the outside covering Michael Pittman Jr., Adonai Mitchell, and Alec Pierce, which should open things up for Downs in the middle of the field. Downs has some appeal as a dart-throw flex option in PPR leagues, but he is better left on fantasy benches this weekend unless desperate.
Sep 13, 2025 8:11 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs will host the Miami Dolphins to kick off the 2025 NFL season in Week 1. Downs dealt with a hamstring injury for much of August, but he is off the injury report and ready to go on Sunday. The veteran receiver will take on a Dolphins secondary that is considered a team weakness and could struggle to slow opposing pass-catchers. Downs is likely to operate as Daniel Jones' top target this season, provided he can stay on the field and shake the injury bug that has plagued him over his career. Fantasy managers can treat Downs as a solid WR3/flex option heading into Week 1.
Sep 6, 2025 9:24 AM EST
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
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