Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or Josh Downs

Thursday, September 4, 2:14 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.

Thursday, October 23, 1:34 PM

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (concussion) has upgraded out of the red non-contact jersey that he wore during practice on Wednesday, according to Jake Arthur of Locked on Colts. Downs suffered a concussion in Week 6 and was inactive in last week's win over the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the 24-year-old was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday and is trending in the right direction to gain clearance from the league's concussion protocol by the weekend. Downs is still up in the air to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but if he continues to make progress, he could return on Sunday. Before his head injury, Downs was on an upward trajectory as the Colts' WR2, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. If he returns against the Titans, it will be bad news for fantasy managers looking to stream Alec Pierce in Week 8.