Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will be a game-time decision for the team's Week 2 contest at Lambeau Field on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Downs suffered a left high-ankle sprain back in training camp in August and wasn't given the green light to suit up for the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. The 23-year-old was limited in practices this week, though, and has a shot to make his season debut in Green Bay this weekend. Downs is certainly worth a stash in 12-team fantasy leagues for wideout depth, but he's probably not a smart play in starting lineups if he's active on Sunday. However, it's worth noting that he was trending as the team's WR2 in camp behind Michael Pittman Jr. before injuring his ankle. The former third-rounder last year had a 68-771-2 line in 17 games in his rookie campaign in 2023.
Sep 13, 2024 3:10 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Downs suffered a left high-ankle sprain during training camp and did not recover enough to play in the Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans. The 23-year-old appears to be getting closer to making his 2024 debut, though, although it remains to be seen if he'll get the green light to play this Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. Before injuring his ankle, Downs was lined up to be Indy's WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr. Alec Pierce played 84% of the offensive snaps last week and caught three passes for 125 yards and a score, but Downs should work his way back into being one of quarterback Anthony Richardson's top targets when he returns. Downs is rostered in 22% of Yahoo leagues at the moment and is worth a pickup for WR depth.
Sep 12, 2024 11:41 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain back on Aug. 7 and missed the team's Week 1 loss to the division-rival Houston Texans last weekend. However, the 23-year-old continues to make strong progress and said late last week that he felt he was close to making a return. If he can make more progress in practice on Thursday and Friday, there's a chance he could suit up in Week 2 this Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. When healthy, Downs could be the team's No. 2 wideout behind Michael Pittman Jr., which is bad news for those that just plucked Alec Pierce off the waiver wire after he went for over 100 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Downs is worth scooping up off the waiver wire if he's available.
Sep 11, 2024 1:08 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen has officially ruled wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) out for the Week 1 regular season contest on Sunday versus the division-rival Houston Texans. Things had been trending this way all week as Downs was unable to practice due to a high-ankle sprain that he suffered in August. The 23-year-old worked off to the side in practices this week, though, and appears to be getting close to a return, so it's possible he may be able to make his 2024 debut in Week 2 at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers. With Downs officially out this weekend, it will make both rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce a bit more attractive as DFS sleepers behind WR1 Michael Pittman Jr. The 21-year-old Mitchell was selected with the 52nd overall pick back in April in the second round. He has the ability to line up inside or outside and should give fantasy managers a bit more upside than Pierce.
Sep 6, 2024 1:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was seen doing individual work on Friday but did not participate in practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The 23-year-old expressed on Wednesday that he feels "real close to returning." While he has not officially been ruled out for the season opener on Sunday, it is not promising that he did not participate in team practices during the week. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any further updates regarding Downs' status as we approach the weekend. Downs enjoyed a nice rookie season as he caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two scores. If Downs happens to suit up for the season opener, he should be considered a low-end flex play in most leagues as he will compete for targets with Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Adonai Mitchell.
Sep 6, 2024 12:44 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) said he ran some routes on Wednesday and calls himself "real close" to returning. Downs isn't ruling himself out for Sunday's Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Houston Texans despite suffering a high-ankle sprain in training camp. The 23-year-old didn't practice on Wednesday and wasn't seen on the practice field on Thursday, so he'll need to at least be limited on Friday to have a shot at suiting up this weekend. As of right now, he looks to be on the wrong side of questionable, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues should be looking in another direction if they were planning on using Downs in their starting lineups. If Downs misses the season opener on Sunday, rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will be more intriguing DFS plays as starting wideouts alongside WR1 Michael Pittman Jr.
Sep 5, 2024 1:30 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, and his status for Week 1 of the regular season this Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans is up in the air. Downs is trending in the wrong direction to be ready for the start of the regular season after suffering a high-ankle sprain on Aug. 7, but that could change if he's able to get back on the practice field on either Thursday or Friday. As of right now, though, fantasy managers should be planning to be without the 23-year-old in Week 1. If Downs is inactive on Sunday, it will mean that rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will start next to Michael Pittman Jr. in three-wide sets on Sunday against Houston. Downs should be set in a bench spot for now as Week 1 approaches.
Sep 4, 2024 1:22 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) is "progressing well" as he continues to rehab a high-ankle sprain, according to head coach Shane Steichen, but there's no indication as to whether he'll actually take part in the team's first official practice of the 2024 regular season on Wednesday. We will have a better idea of Downs' status for Week 1 of the regular season on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans after Indy releases their injury report on Wednesday, but as of now, the 23-year-old is completely up in the air for this weekend. Fantasy managers that have Downs rostered should plan as if Downs won't suit up and go from there. If he's unavailable or limited for the Colts against Houston, expect to see rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce lined up in three-wide sets alongside starter Michael Pittman Jr.
Sep 2, 2024 5:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) is uncertain to be available for the season opener, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Downs has been sidelined since he suffered a high-ankle sprain in early August. The 23-year-old appears to be making progress, but he still has more work to do before being ready to play. The absence of Downs is a blow to this offense considering he registered 68 receptions for 772 yards in 17 games last season. If he misses time, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell would both see a boost in targets and fantasy value early in the season.
Aug 25, 2024 6:54 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain a couple of weeks ago and was expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks. During the team's most recent practice, Downs did not have a boot on his ankle anymore reports Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. The second-year receiver was in a boot and sometimes used a scooter to get around, so his ankle injury seems to be progressing in the right direction. He was still held out of the team's game on Thursday against the Cincinnati Bengals, but his timetable at least seems to be following the 2-to-4 weeks that they initially announced. Downs should get plenty of work in the slot alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce when healthy. He's currently ranked as the 62nd WR in RotoBaller's half-PPR rankings.
Aug 23, 2024 9:07 AM EST
Updating an earlier report, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to sources after an MRI exam. Downs' recovery time was estimated at four to six weeks, which puts him right up against the start of the 2024 regular season in early September. It's tough news for the Colts, especially since Downs was impressing in camp and was a potential breakout candidate in his second year in the NFL. The bottom line is that the 22-year-old's availability for Week 1 is very much in question, and it could take him some time to get back up to speed as a reliable fantasy wideout. With Downs now out for the foreseeable future, rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will step into starting roles in three-receiver sets alongside Michael Pittman. Downs' injury makes Mitchell a more attractive late-round flier.
Aug 7, 2024 5:06 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) suffered a high-ankle sprain during training camp practice on Wednesday, according to a source. The outlook right now is that Downs could miss about a month, but the Colts are sorting it all out. It's a tough break for Downs, who had been a popular breakout candidate in fantasy leading up to Wednesday's injury after catching 68 of his 98 targets for 771 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) in his first NFL season in 2023. We don't know for sure how much time the 22-year-old might miss to open the 2024 regular season, but this news surely puts a dent into his draft stock. With Downs now sidelined, both Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell will have more opportunities to make noise in Indy's passing game. While Pierce has looked more consistent in camp, Mitchell is a higher-ceiling, big-play option for fantasy managers.
Aug 7, 2024 1:09 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has looked good during training camp, with JJ Stankevitz of the team's website reporting that the wideout has received plenty of looks from quarterback Anthony Richardson. The 22-year-old had a decent rookie season, finishing with 68 catches for 771 yards and two touchdowns. He also ranked first on the team in missed tackles forced and yards after catch. With that in mind, Michael Pittman Jr. is the team's No. 1 wideout. However, Downs can climb the depth chart if he continues to build chemistry with Richardson heading into Week 1, making him an ideal late-round draft choice for fantasy managers looking to roll the dice.
Aug 4, 2024 9:52 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 48 yards in the team's 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans. Downs led all Colts pass-catchers in yards and caught the team's longest pass-attempt when he reeled in a 28-yard catch. Downs finishes his rookie campaign with 771 yards on 68 catches and two touchdowns. With their Week 18 loss, the Colts are now eliminated from playoff contention.
Jan 7, 2024 1:59 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught both of his targets for 53 yards in the team's Week 17 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. He now gets ready for a season finale against the Houston Texans on Saturday night, a team that's allowed the 11th most fantasy points to the position over their last four matchups. Downs hasn't been an incredibly consistent option as of late, as last week marked his first game with over 50 total yards since Week 8. Houston has done a good job of defending the slot, allowing the 10th least fantasy points to slot receivers, where Downs plays over 75% of his snaps. With all that in mind, the former Tar Heel makes for a boom-or-bust WR4 option in Week 18 with his big play ability.
Jan 5, 2024 8:52 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught both of his targets for 53 yards in the team's 23-20 win against the Las Vegas Raiders. The rookie caught a 50-yard deep shot on the team's third play from scrimmage and was then only targeted one more time for a three-yard catch. This also marks the first time Downs has cleared 50 total yards since the team's Week 8 win against the New Orleans Saints. The former Tar Heel has proved to be a viable deep-threat option for quarterback Gardner Minshew but has struggled with consistent fantasy success. He'll look to build on this performance in Week 18 when the Colts face off against the Houston Texans, and fantasy managers can look Downs' way for a boom-or-bust WR3/Flex option.
Jan 1, 2024 12:16 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught six of his nine targets for 39 yards in the team's Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie led all Colts pass-catchers in targets as No.1 receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) missed the game due to injury. With Pittman cleared to return in the team's Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Downs' loss in volume may limit him from a strong fantasy outing. The Raiders have been a tough matchup for opposing fantasy receivers, allowing the 11th least points to the position. Their secondary sits right outside the top ten, allowing the 11th least passing yards per game on the season. Fantasy managers may want to look another way for a WR3/Flex option this week, as Downs doesn't come into this one with an incredibly safe floor or high ceiling.
Dec 29, 2023 8:25 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs led the team in targets in wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr's (concussion) absence in the team's 29-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Downs reeled in six of his nine targets for 39 yards on the day. While he did have a sizable target share, this now marks the fourth game in a row where the rookie has been held to under 40 yards. If Pittman misses their Week 17 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Downs can be in consideration for a WR3/Flex option with the uptick in volume.
Dec 24, 2023 10:27 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs is coming off a Week 15 win where he caught all three of his targets for just 19 yards through the air. Downs has served as a helpful target for quarterback Gardner Minshew, but his recent form from a fantasy perspective doesn't instill much confidence in fantasy managers for his Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have allowed the fourth-least fantasy points to opposing receivers, and the sixth-least fantasy points to opposing slot receivers, where the rookie plays the majority of his snaps. Given his recent form, and a tough matchup, fantasy managers should likely keep the former Tar Heel on the bench this week as a WR4/5 option.
Dec 22, 2023 5:50 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Josh Downs caught all three of his targets for 19 yards in the team's 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs did not see much of an additional uptick in volume despite wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) leaving the game in the first half and not returning. Downs has struggled in his last few matchups from a fantasy perspective, and fantasy managers may want to keep him on the bench in the team's Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
Dec 16, 2023 9:50 PM EST
Copyright 2024 Fantasy Football Calculator | Image Source: Icon Sportswire. Not affiliated with the National Football League (NFL).
Stats powered by FantasyData.com.
