Colts' Josh Downs: Another forgettable Week 9 line
Rotowire
Downs caught three of six targets for 24 yards in Sunday's 27-23 loss to the Cowboys.
Downs has now failed to reach 50 receiving yards in any of his last six games, as he's settled in as a pedestrian slot receiver in an Indianapolis offense that makes very few plays in the passing game. The 25-year-old has requested a trade ahead of Tuesday's deadline, but the Colts haven't received much interest by most accounts. Downs' rest-of-season fate will be clearer after the trade deadline.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Reaches paydirt in Week 8
Rotowire
Downs caught four of five targets for 23 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's 42-7 loss to the Jaguars.
Downs was able to reel in four or more passes for the fourth time this season and second time in the last three weeks. Downs was on the receiving end of the team's only score on the day, reeling in a six-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Jones in the third quarter for the wideout's first score of the year. Downs has now caught 30 of 51 targets for 330 yards and a touchdown over eight contests to open the 2026 campaign, and after he requested a trade this week, he may be wearing a new uniform the next time he appears in a game.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Set for normal role despite trade request
Rotowire
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs will perform his usual role Sunday against Jacksonville in spite of the fact that he requested a trade this week, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
It's been a tumultuous week for the Colts, who traded away two stalwarts in left guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. Downs requested a trade shortly thereafter, but the team has yet to meet that request. Indianapolis has reportedly fielded trade offers for Downs, but despite the lingering uncertainty of his future with the team, there doesn't appear to be a desire to hold him out Sunday or reduce his role. Alec Pierce (heel) is remaining on IR for at least another week, so Downs is set to work as one of QB Daniel Jones' top targets against the Jaguars.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Will play Sunday
Rotowire
Colts coach Shan Steichen said Friday that Downs will play Sunday against the Jaguars, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Downs submitted a trade request amid the Colts' fire sale this week, but he's still a member of the team and will be on the field against Jacksonville, assuming he's not dealt over the next 24-36 hours. Like most of the Colts, Downs has struggled to produce in the box score this season and has settled in as a low-upside WR4 in fantasy.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Submits trade request
Rotowire
Downs formally requested a trade from the Colts on Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
After Indianapolis dealt away guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on Tuesday, Downs could be the next player on the move in what's shaping up to be a non-contending season for the 2-5 Colts. Though more opportunities in the passing game have opened up while Alec Pierce (heel) has been sidelined for the past five games, Downs hasn't been able to forge much of a connection with quarterback Daniel Jones. The wideout hasn't recorded more than 80 receiving yards in any of his seven appearances, and he's been held under 50 yards in each of the last four contests. According to Fowler, the Colts have already fielded trade offers from multiple teams on Downs, who could emerge as a more consistent vertical threat elsewhere if he ends up being dealt prior to the Nov. 10 deadline.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Held to two grabs in Sunday's loss
Rotowire
Downs caught two of four targets for 18 yards in Sunday's 16-10 loss to the Vikings.
Daniel Jones couldn't get anything going at all through the air against the Minnesota defense, and Downs' four targets actually led Indianapolis, although he didn't accomplish much with that modest volume. The two grabs and four targets tied his season lows, and Downs has been held under 20 receiving yards in two of the last four games, and under 50 in all four. Unless Jones can shake himself out of his stupor, Downs' ceiling will remain very limited in a Week 8 tilt against the Jaguars.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Sit
Rotowire
Downs has been a huge disappointment in his past three games against Washington, Pittsburgh and Tennessee, and he's not worth starting in three-receiver leagues in Week 7 at Minnesota. Downs has combined for 10 catches for 103 yards and no touchdowns on 18 targets over that span, and he has no touchdowns on the season. The Vikings are No. 4 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and there's little reason to trust Downs in a tough matchup. I would use Keenan Allen in three-receiver leagues against the Vikings since he has at least 16.2 PPR points in two of his past three games, with 29 targets over that span, but even Allen should struggle against Minnesota.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Four grabs in Week 6 loss
Rotowire
Downs caught four of eight targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 26-20 loss to the Titans. He added seven rushing yards on his only carry.
The eight targets were second on the Colts to Keenan Allen, but the volume didn't lead to much production. Downs has failed to reach 50 receiving yards in four of six games this season, posting a 24-289-0 line on 42 targets and failing to establish himself as Indy's No. 1 wide receiver in the absence of Alec Pierce (heel). Downs will face a tough test in Week 7 against the Vikings' stingy defense.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Sleeper WRs
Rotowire
Downs has struggled in each of his past two games against Washington and Pittsburgh with a combined six catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns on 10 targets, and he had 12.3 total PPR points over that span. Prior to that, he had two solid outings with 12 catches for 149 yards and no touchdowns on 20 targets, and he scored at least 12.7 PPR points in each game. I'm expecting him to return to that level of play in Week 6 against the Titans, who are No. 11 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers. Eight receivers have scored at least 10.5 PPR points against Tennessee this season, which bodes well for Downs and Keenan Allen, who have nine targets in each of their past two games. Downs and Allen should be started in all three-receiver leagues.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Back to full participation Thursday
Rotowire
Downs (rest/hamstring) upgraded to full participation at Thursday's practice.
Downs was listed as limited Wednesday due to rest and a hamstring injury. The inclusion of rest in the reason for his limitations suggested the wide receiver wasn't dealing with a significant injury, but it's still encouraging to see that notion confirmed one day later with Downs' return to full participation. Downs is set to maintain a prominent role in Indianapolis' passing game Sunday against the 0-5 Titans.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Shows up on Week 6 injury report
Rotowire
Downs was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury and rest.
Per Stephen Holder of ESPN.com, Downs was able to take part in individual drills during the portion of practice that was open to the media, which suggests that his hamstring injury isn't an overly serious one. The fact that Downs' limitations Wednesday were also attributed to rest is another positive sign that he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Titans. The wideout will still likely need to upgrade to full practice participation by Friday to avoid carrying an injury designation into the weekend.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Hauls in three passes in Week 5 loss
Rotowire
Downs caught three of six targets for 47 yards in Sunday's 34-22 loss to the Steelers.
The fourth-year wideout had the Colts' longest play of the day, a 42-yard connection with Daniel Jones in the second quarter that helped set up the team's only touchdown of the afternoon, but Downs was otherwise held in check. Downs is still looking for his first TD of 2026, and despite being Jones' top healthy WR he's managed just a 20-249-0 line on 34 targets through five games. He'll look to hit paydirt in Week 6 against the winless Titans.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Start
Rotowire
Downs had a disappointing game in Week 4 at Washington with three catches for 16 yards on four targets, but he should rebound in Week 5 at Pittsburgh. The Steelers have allowed five receivers to score at least 11.4 PPR points in their past three games against New England, Cincinnati and Cleveland, and Downs scored at least 12.7 PPR points in each of his past two games prior to facing the Commanders with 20 targets over that span. I'm still confident in Downs, and he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Held to three catches in Week 4 win
Rotowire
Downs caught three of four targets for 16 yards in Sunday's 30-13 win over the Commanders.
Even with Alec Pierce (heel) and Keenan Allen (groin) on the shelf, Downs wound up getting a season low in targets as Indianapolis didn't need to pass the ball much against a Washington team that lost Marcus Mariota (knee) in the first quarter, putting seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis under center. Through four games, Downs is still looking for his first trip to the end zone, posting a 17-202-0 line on 28 targets. He figures to be busier in Week 5 on the road in Pittsburgh.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Start
Rotowire
Alec Pierce (heel) was injured early in Week 2 at Kansas City, and Downs has been great in the past two games against the Chiefs and Texans with 12 catches for 149 yards on 20 targets. He scored at least 12.7 PPR points in each outing, and he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues against Washington in Week 4 in London. The Commanders are No. 1 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and four guys (Dontayvion Wicks, CeeDee Lamb, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp) have scored at least 14.6 PPR points this year. Keenan Allen is also worth using as a sleeper, and he just had 18.3 PPR points in Week 3 against Houston. Both Indianapolis receivers should have success against this Washington secondary in Week 4.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Garners 11 targets in victory
Rotowire
Downs caught five of 11 targets for 77 yards during Sunday's 19-17 win over Houston.
Downs garnered the most targets on the team, narrowly edging out tight end Tyler Warren (10), while his 77 receiving yards led the way for Indianapolis. With Alec Pierce (heel) sidelined for the foreseeable future, Downs appears to have taken command as the team's No. 1 option at wide receiver. Over three games to open the regular season, the wideout has reeled in 14 of 24 targets for 186 yards, and he'll have a strong chance to secure his first touchdown of the season in Week 4 against the Commanders.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Seven catches as Pierce (heel) exits
Rotowire
Downs caught seven of nine targets for 72 yards in Sunday's 33-30 overtime loss to the Chiefs.
Downs paced the Colts in targets, catches and receiving yards in a game that Alec Pierce (heel) exited in the first half. Pierce was the Colts' leading receiver last season, ahead of Tyler Warren, Michael Pittman (foot) and Downs. With Pierce hurt and Pittman now in Pittsburgh, Downs has a clear path to significant target volume from Daniel Jones in Week 3 at home against the Texans.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Catches two passes in Week 1
Rotowire
Downs caught two of four targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 41-23 loss to the Ravens.
Downs' four targets tied Jonathan Taylor for fourth on the team behind Alec Pierce (six), Keenan Allen (six) and Tyler Warren (five), but it was notable that Downs led the team with 32 routes on Daniel Jones' 34 dropbacks. He was in the slot 78.8 percent of the time, and his 93.8 percent route participation suggests Downs is an every-down wideout this season after playing behind both Michael Pittman and Pierce in previous seasons. Downs should have better days moving forward and gets a Week 2 date with the Chiefs next Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
Rotowire
Downs recently dealt with a calf injury in practice, but he's expected to be fine for Week 1 against the Ravens. I'm counting on Downs to be a go-to option for Daniel Jones, and Downs is worth using as a starter in three-receiver leagues. We'll see how the Colts distribute targets for Downs, Alec Pierce and Keenan Allen, but Pierce's playing time could be limited since he missed so much time in training camp due to a foot injury. Ideally, Downs or Tyler Warren will lead Indianapolis in targets in Week 1 -- and potentially all season -- and we can start Downs with confidence on a weekly basis moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Colts' Josh Downs: Dodges injury report
Rotowire
Downs (calf) is not on the Colts' injury report Wednesday.
The fourth-year receiver downplayed the calf injury that slowed him towards the end of summer. Downs evaded the injury report entirely Wednesday, signaling that he should be ready to go for the opener against the Ravens. Indianapolis may be at full strength at receiver with Alec Pierce trending in the right direction as well.
