Who Should I Start? Alec Pierce or Josh Downs


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Alec Pierce News

Alec Pierce Worth Stashing on Injured Reserve

Friday, October 2, 6:25 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is a stash for managers who have an open IR spot and can afford to wait. Pierce aggravated his left heel in Week 2 against Kansas City, the same heel that required offseason surgery, and Indianapolis placed him on injured reserve on Sept. 26. He has to miss at least four games, making Week 7 against Minnesota the earliest he can return. There is no guarantee he will be ready then, either. The current plan is rehab rather than another surgery, with a midseason return the hope if recovery goes well. Pierce had five catches for 72 yards in two games before the injury, but the reason to hold him is what he did last year. He finished 2025 with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns while leading the NFL at 21.3 yards per catch. Indianapolis also re-signed him to a four-year deal in March. Pierce is not a short-term waiver solution, but his big-play role gives him enough upside to justify an IR stash.


Week 5 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
12.0 0.1 0.0 4.6 56.3 0.3

Josh Downs News

Josh Downs Has Upside In Week 5 Despite Disappointing Week 4

Saturday, October 10, 7:32 AM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been separating from defensive coverage very well this season. His problem has just been that he hasn't gotten the ball enough. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones hasn't been a productive passer, and it's dragged the whole offense down. Downs was only targeted four times in Week 4, but that could be simply an impossibly low number for Week 5, as Indy is dealing with yet more injuries to its already thin pass-catching corps. WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 5, and WR Keenan Allen (groin) is dealing with a groin strain and is questionable to play. It's possible that Jones continues to be stubborn, and simply gives extra targets to WR Darius Slayton (knee), but it would be unwise. Downs is a reliable target, but it's obvious now that Jones prefers to hit his bigger-bodied wideouts. If he decides he wants to get easy completions and move the chains, and perhaps even win the matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, Downs should bounce back.


Alec Pierce vs. Josh Downs

Still trying to decide between Pierce and Downs? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Alec Pierce is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Josh Downs is projected to score 12.0 points.