Who Should I Start? Jerry Jeudy or Josh Downs

Saturday, August 16, 12:34 PM

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy and running back Jerome Ford are not expected to play in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Browns beat writer Kelsey Russo. In addition, the Browns are expected to hold out rookie RB Dylan Sampson. Jeudy's last chance to play in the preseason will come next Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams, as he also didn't play in the preseason opener last week. In regards to the RB situation, the Browns are being mindful not to thin out their RB room even more with rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins still unsigned as he deals with legal matters. Jeudy will be the unquestioned WR1 again in 2025, although his fantasy upside will remain limited with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco running the offense. Ford figures to have an elevated backfield role if Judkins is not ready for the start of the season.

Monday, August 25, 8:13 PM

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen expects wide receiver Josh Downs (hamstring) to be back on the practice field next week before the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 7. Downs suffered a hamstring injury on Aug. 14 and has been held out of practice since, but it sounds like he's improving and should be ready for the start of the regular season in early September. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of North Carolina took a step forward in his second year in Indy in 2024 with 72 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns on 107 targets over 14 games (eight starts). Downs has a limited fantasy ceiling because of his mediocre athleticism, but Daniel Jones winning the starting QB job was good for his value as a WR4/flex flier later in fantasy drafts. He'll be in starting three-wide sets with Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce.