Who Should I Start? DeAndre Hopkins or Josh Downs

Thursday, September 12, 6:22 PM

Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) said his knee injury is a sprain similar to an ankle sprain, and it isn't a tear. Hopkins played in the Week 1 loss to the Chicago Bears despite entering with a questionable tag, but he played only 27% of the offensive snaps, which was fourth among Titans pass-catchers. It led to just one catch on his only target for an eight-yard gain. The 32-year-old veteran and five-time Pro Bowler clearly wasn't fully healthy. However, he's off the Week 2 injury report entirely and is expected to have a much bigger role in Week 2 against the New York Jets. Fantasy managers should expect Hopkins to be more involved on offense this Sunday, but his conditioning is still a question mark, and the matchup against the Jets isn't idea. Hopkins' fantasy stock is certainly down in 2024, but he should be a slightly more attractive WR4/flex another week removed from his knee sprain.

Thursday, September 12, 11:41 PM

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.