Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs presents as a low-floor fantasy dart throw for his home outing with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Downs hauled in 3-of-5 passes for 13 yards in last weekend's 18-16 loss to the Seahawks, accounting for Philip Rivers' first touchdown pass since Week 17 of the 2020 season. With Rivers under center, Indy went with a short, quick pass attack to cater to the veteran's current capabilities. While it was effective on the field, an equal administering of pass attempts will hurt all involved on the Indianapolis side of the ball. As it stands, Downs is a downright chore to cover in that area of the field, potentially giving him a leg up on teammates Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce in the Colts' attack. Even if that's the case, though, the third-year pro's standing as the third option regarding snap share at the position significantly limits his ceiling. Downs may still hold some modest value in DFS formats, but is tough to trust as RotoBaller's PPR WR62 for Week 16.
Dec 21, 2025 1:00 AM EST
In 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers' first NFL game in five years with the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the hosting Seattle Seahawks, wide receiver Josh Downs caught his lone touchdown pass. Downs played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps in Week 15 in Rivers' first game replacing Daniel Jones, who is out for the year with a torn Achilles. The 24-year-old wideout was tied for second on the team with five targets, catching three of them for only 13 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year. All in all, it wasn't anything special for fantasy football production, but it was notable that Downs tied Michael Pittman Jr. in targets, with Alec Pierce seeing just one look from Rivers. With Rivers shotputting balls to his receivers, Downs could become a more attractive short-area target over Pierce to close out the season, making him worth a look off the waiver wire as WR depth. Downs is rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.
Dec 16, 2025 12:43 PM EST
Across 12 games this season, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has recorded 44 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. Downs has earned at least five targets in four out of his last five contests, but he's failed to crack 50 receiving yards in a game since Week 9. In Week 15, the Colts will turn to 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to replace the injured Daniel Jones (Achilles), who was lost for the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14. It's hard to project what Rivers will bring to the table for Downs and the Colts' pass-catchers, as Rivers has not played in an NFL game since the 2020 season. One certain thing is that Indianapolis faces a difficult matchup in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. Entering the weekend, Seattle ranks first among NFL defenses in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.0). Between the tough matchup and the Colts' quarterback uncertainty, Downs should likely be avoided by fantasy managers in Week 15.
Dec 13, 2025 1:01 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs hasn't been a big fantasy factor this season, recording 44 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns on 65 targets. After a promising sophomore campaign last year, Downs hasn't been emphasized with three other talented pass-catchers in the Colts' offense, plus a lean towards the run with a superstar back Jonathan Taylor. With quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) out for the season and 44-year-old Philip Rivers expected to be the team's starter moving forward, it's possible that Downs' opportunities will increase with Rivers primarily operating in the short area of the field. The 24-year-old's fantasy upside is still capped while being limited to routes in three-wide receiver sets. Downs still profiles as a deep-league flex option for a tough Week 15 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but his floor is probably lower now with Jones done for the year.
Dec 10, 2025 12:17 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip, knee) was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday after he was held out on Wednesday with hip and knee injuries. It looks like Downs will be able to play in a crucial divisional game this weekend on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's become very hard to trust in weekly fantasy football lineups. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of North Carolina has seen a healthy 12 targets the last two games, but he has turned that into only four receptions for 54 yards and no touchdowns while he continues to see fellow wideout Alec Pierce take on a bigger role in the passing attack. Downs is still an integral part of Indy's offense, but he ranks just inside the top 50 receivers in half-PPR points this year on 40 catches, 370 yards, and three touchdowns. He hasn't done much outside of a three-week stretch from Oct. 12 through Nov. 2, where he caught all three of his TDs on the season.
Dec 4, 2025 4:07 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip, knee) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Downs last appeared on the injury report in Week 9 with a hip injury, but it appears he picked up a knee injury during the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old's production has faded lately as he's taken a back seat to the Colts' other talented pass-catchers. He's recorded just five receptions for 57 yards on 14 targets in the past three games after seeing a season high of nine targets in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs' participation in practice will be monitored in the next two days, but even if he suits up for Week 14's game against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, he projects more as a deep-league flex option in PPR formats.
Dec 3, 2025 4:41 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has struggled lately, recording just five catches for 57 yards on 13 targets over the past three games. The 24-year-old hasn't been a major factor in the Colts' passing attack, taking a back seat to the team's other primary weapons. Downs mostly operates out of the slot, limiting him to three-wide receiver sets. The former 2022 third-round pick is still a useful player in deeper PPR leagues, but it's tough to trust him in 12-team leagues. He's totaled 40 receptions (59 targets) for 370 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games this season, averaging 8.5 PPR points. Downs at least has a more favorable Week 14 matchup against the Jaguars after facing the elite Texans defense last week.
Dec 2, 2025 10:37 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been quiet of late, having caught just three of his eight targets for 13 scoreless yards over his past two games. Downs will look to get back on track at home against the Houston Texans in Week 13. The Texans represent a difficult matchup for Downs as they are allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this season. Downs has not been a priority target in the Indy passing attack this season, which has cut into his fantasy value. He sets up as a WR5 and is not a safe fantasy option heading into Week 13.
Nov 29, 2025 8:15 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught just two of his six targets for 10 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. Downs was trending up in fantasy football after recording touchdown grabs in three straight games, but the 24-year-old has had back-to-back duds with three total receptions (eight targets) for just 13 yards the last two games. He has taken a back seat in the Colts' passing game behind receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. While the former third-rounder is still useful depth in most fantasy formats, he'll be hard to trust going into a difficult Week 13 matchup against the league's top defense in the Houston Texans. Downs is up to 38 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns on 54 targets in 10 games in 2025 in his third year in the NFL.
Nov 25, 2025 3:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs should be well-rested as he comes out of a Week 11 bye to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Week 12. Downs has been up and down this season as he is not enjoying the high volume that he has in past seasons. That being said, he scored a touchdown in three straight games in October and early November. The Chiefs have been tough on receivers this season, allowing just the 27th-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Downs isn't exactly a safe play but he's worth a look as a flex option/WR5 in deeper leagues, especially if your team is dealing with several players on their bye in Week 12.
Nov 21, 2025 4:40 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs continues to lose ground in his battle for playing time and volume. As the Colts emerge from their Week 11 bye and prepare for Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Downs is likely fourth in the pass-catching pecking order behind Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren, and Alec Pierce. In his last game, the 24-year-old played a mere 43 percent of the offensive snaps, converting two targets into one catch for three yards. The 24-year-old impressed as the WR35 in PPR leagues last season, but he has taken a step backward this year. The Colts are running the ball quite often, and when Daniel Jones does throw, he often looks for a different weapon. Downs ranks outside the top 40 receivers and can no longer be trusted in fantasy starting lineups.
Nov 20, 2025 11:08 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs saw a massive reduction in snaps and targets during his last game against the Atlanta Falcons. In Berlin, Downs played a mere 43 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps, converting two targets into one catch for three yards. The 24-year-old impressed as the WR35 in PPR leagues last season, but he has taken a step backward this year. He ranks outside the top 40 receivers and can no longer be trusted on a week-to-week basis. One reason for Downs' struggles is the increased competition around him. Indy is leaning on the run more than usual given Jonathan Taylor's success, and they've also gotten exceptional contributions from Tyler Warren, Michael Pittman Jr., and Alec Pierce. This has left Downs as somewhat of the odd man out. We do expect him to command more than two targets per game going forward, but he's not startable for the time being. Managers should leave Downs on the bench when the Colts return from their bye in Week 12.
Nov 15, 2025 12:41 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught just one of his two targets for a three-yard gain in a 31-25 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin in Week 10. Downs was surprisingly quiet in the win as the Colts leaned on Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce in the passing attack. The veteran slot receiver saw a three-game touchdown streak come to an end, as well, in the contest. Overall, Downs has caught 36 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns in nine games this season. He will be on bye in Week 11 before an important road matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12.
Nov 11, 2025 7:14 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been on a hot streak of late, scoring a touchdown in three straight games. Overall the veteran slot receiver has hauled in 35 passes for 313 yards and three scores in eight games in the explosive Indy offense while taking a backseat to Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Warren this season. Downs will look to find the end zone again in a Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin. The Falcons have been tough on opposing receivers this season, allowing the 26th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Downs will have his work cut out for him, but he can be trusted as a solid WR4/flex option for fantasy gamers heading into Week 10.
Nov 8, 2025 9:14 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has attracted interest from fantasy managers of late after scoring a touchdown in three straight games. In that span, along with his three scores, Downs has 15 receptions on 19 targets for 138 yards for the Colts. Indy has a crowded receiver room with Michael Pittman Jr., Alex Pierce, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren all demanding targets, but Downs has consistently attracted the eye of quarterback Daniel Jones. In the last four games, the 24-year-old pass-catcher has had at least seven targets in three contests, and he's caught exactly six passes in three of those four games. He drew a season-high nine targets in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the team down multiple scores for most of the day. The former third-rounder will be looking to score for a fourth straight week on Sunday in Germany against the Atlanta Falcons.
Nov 6, 2025 12:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been a key piece of the offense all season and has now scored in three consecutive games. Downs caught six of nine targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 27-20 loss to the Steelers in Week 9, tying with Alec Pierce for second on the team in receptions. The 24-year-old has now recorded at least six receptions in three of his last four games and has become Daniel Jones' favorite target on third downs, leading the team with a 30% targets per route run. For the season, Downs' production has been overshadowed by Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Tyler Warren, and lately, Alec Pierce, but he's still an integral piece of the vaunted Colts offense. Downs is a solid WR3/flex option in most weeks, and with plenty of bye weeks still to come, he is a solid option to add off the waiver wire for Week 10.
Nov 4, 2025 10:49 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday after missing his team's Wednesday practice and is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 9 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs will look to build upon an encouraging Week 8 outing that saw him haul in all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans. He has a great matchup on tap as the Steelers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. Downs has been overtaken in the passing-game pecking order by Michael Pittman Jr., but he remains a solid WR3/flex option in fantasy in this prime matchup on Sunday.
Nov 1, 2025 9:53 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) appears to be returning to practice on Thursday after he did not practice on Wednesday due to a hip injury. Downs missed the Week 7 game due to a concussion but returned in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans, playing 64% of the offensive snaps while catching all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown, his second in as many games. The 24-year-old is now dealing with a hip injury as the team prepares to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, but his return to practice on Thursday means he's trending in the right direction. Downs has been the team's WR2 in healthy in a much-improved offense led by MVP candidate Daniel Jones in 2025. If Downs gets cleared to play in Pittsburgh this Sunday, he'll certainly have WR3 upside against a Steelers secondary that has not performed up to expectations this year.
Oct 30, 2025 1:23 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) remains a solid bet in fantasy, despite the team's aversion to 11 personnel. Through eight weeks, Indianapolis has run three-wide-receiver sets at one of the lower rates in the league (58.81%). Still, Downs has finished with double-digit fantasy points in four of seven appearances while participating on more than 60% of snaps just twice. Unfortunately, the former North Carolina Tarheel began the week as a DNP due to a hip injury, so fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his status ahead of Sunday's road outing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Downs can't go, fellow wide receiver Alec Pierce projects to see a bump in targets alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Tyler Warren.
Oct 30, 2025 12:11 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) didn't take the field for Wednesday's practice session. Downs sat out in Week 7 due to a concussion, but made his return to the field last weekend. He hauled in all three of his targets for 39 yards with a touchdown in the win over the Tennessee Titans. It's worth noting that Downs was on the field for a season-high 64 percent of the offensive snaps last weekend. When healthy, Downs appears to be earning more playing time in Indy. Fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout the week. Downs should be able to offer flex value for the Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Oct 29, 2025 8:25 PM EST
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