Downs displayed an immediate rapport with Anthony Richardson in 2023, but Richardson's time as the starter was short-lived. Downs still managed to create separation and rack up 68 receptions and 771 receiving yards with Gardner Minshew. Downs only cashed in on two touchdowns all season long and is a better fit in full-point PPR leagues. In all PPR formats, Downs is worth selecting as early as the 12th round. In standard scoring, he should come off the board a round or two later.
Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs (ankle) is out for Sunday's season opener against the Texans.
Downs was able to do some individual movement drills off to the side during Friday's practice, but he won't be ready for Week 1 action and thus will target a potential return Sunday, Sept. 15 against the Packers. In Downs' absence versus Houston, fellow WRs Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce should see added opportunities behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Working off to the side
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Though Downs (ankle) wasn't participating in practice Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic notes that the wideout was doing individual movement drills off to the side.
If Downs officially goes down as a DNP for the third straight practice, his chances of suiting up Sunday versus Houston wouldn't seem promising. Either way, added context with regard to his Week 1 status will arrive no later that the release of the Colts' final injury report of the week.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Not seen at Thursday's practice
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Downs (ankle) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Though officially listed as a non-participant in the Colts' first practice of the week, Downs -- who is bouncing back from a high-ankle sprain -- noted that he ran some routes during Wednesday's session, while suggesting that he's "real close" to returning, per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis. With another DNP looming Thursday, what, if anything, Downs is able to do Friday figures to be pivotal in terms of his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Texans.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Still not practicing
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Downs (ankle) remained sidelined for Wednesday's practice, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Downs, who suffered a high-ankle sprain Aug. 7, has two more chances to log practice reps ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Texans. If Downs ends up being unavailable for the contest, fellow wideouts Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce would be in store for added opportunities versus Houston behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Week 1 Waiver Priority List
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Downs would be higher on this list if healthy, but he suffered an ankle injury in training camp that could sideline him into the season. Adonai Mitchell (35 percent) is also worth adding, and both should be playmakers for Anthony Richardson as secondary targets behind Michael Pittman Jr. I'm hopeful Downs is healthy and ready to go by Week 2.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Iffy for Week 1
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Head coach Shane Steichen noted Monday that Downs is "progressing well" while rehabbing his left high-ankle sprain, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
That said, it's unclear if Downs will be able to practice Wednesday, with the wideout's status for Sunday's game against the Texans to be determined, per James Boyd of The Athletic. If Downs is unavailable for Week 1, look for Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce to see added opportunities this weekend behind top wideout Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Not practicing Wednesday
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Downs (ankle) isn't practicing Wednesday, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Downs hasn't practiced since suffering a high-ankle sprain Aug. 7, which was 32 days before the Colts' Sept. 8 season opener against Houston. Head coach Shane Steichen said Sunday that he's hopeful Downs will be available for the season opener, but the wideout's continued absences from practice suggest he's in danger of sitting out. Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell both had full-time roles on the first-team offense this preseason alongside No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Status for Week 1 unclear
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Colts coach Shane Steichen said Sunday he is hopeful that Downs (ankle) will be available for the start of the regular season, but his timeline for a return is still unclear, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Downs has been sidelined since suffering a high-ankle sprain during practice Aug. 7. While he shed his walking boot last Thursday, the 23-year-old still seems to have some way to go before Indianapolis' season opener versus Houston on Sunday, Sept. 8. Downs is coming off a breakout rookie season with 68 catches for 771 yards across 17 regular-season games. Should Downs miss time, then Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will be next in line to play alongside top wideout Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Dealing with high-ankle sprain
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Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain during Wednesday's practice, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Per Fowler, the initial outlook is that Downs could miss about a month, but that's not yet a concrete estimate, as the Colts are currently working to establish a timeline for the receiver's return. In any case, Downs' Week 1 status will be worth monitoring closely, and if he's out or limited early on this season, Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce could see added opportunities alongside Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Severity of ankle injury unknown
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Colts head coach Shane Steichen said after Wednesday's practice that he's unsure of the severity of Downs' ankle injury, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Downs reportedly didn't put much weight on his injured leg when he was helped off the field earlier Wednesday. Initial reports were pessimistic, potentially creating a hurdle for a young wide receiver to overcome heading into his second season. Downs recorded a 68-771-2 receiving line on 98 targets last season, mostly working out of the slot after Indianapolis took him 79th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Draws only two targets
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Downs caught two passes for 52 yards on two targets in Sunday's 23-20 win over the Raiders.
Gardner Minshew threw only 20 targeted passes Sunday, so Downs' usage was quite low despite the impressive explosiveness. Downs tends to line up in the slot for Indianapolis, and the Raiders' best corner is slot man Nate Hobbs, so it makes sense that the rookie would struggle to get open consistently in this setting. His Week 18 matchup with Houston might be a more favorable matchup, though the Colts' run-heavy offense tends to leave little for Downs and Alec Pierce after WR1 Michael Pittman gets his targets.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Modest numbers with nine targets
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Downs brought in six of nine targets for 39 yards in the Colts' 29-10 loss to the Falcons on Sunday.
Downs led the Colts in receptions and targets in the absence of Michael Pittman (concussion), but that didn't add up to much on the yardage front. The speedy rookie hasn't topped 40 receiving yards in any of the last four games, and he hasn't been over 43 since Week 8. Even if Pittman is sidelined again in Week 17 against the Raiders, Downs isn't a sure bet to benefit by any stretch.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Another quiet outing
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Downs had three catches (on three targets) for 19 yards and three punt returns for 38 yards during Saturday's 30-13 victory versus the Steelers.
The pleasant special-teams performance aside, Downs missed out on a prime opportunity to produce on offense after Michael Pittman departed with a concussion midway through the second quarter. Instead of turning his focus to the Colts' No. 2 wide receiver, quarterback Gardner Minshew spread the ball around to eight different players among his 18 completions, and only one of Downs' targets occurred after Pittman's exit. Considering Pittman will be subject to the protocol for head injuries in order to gain clearance for his next game action, Downs technically has a chance to for an increased role Sunday, Dec. 24 in Atlanta if the former isn't able to play.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Another modest showing in loss
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Downs secured all three targets for 32 yards in the Colts' 34-14 loss to the Bengals on Sunday.
Downs put together his second straight three-catch effort and fifth consecutive sub-50-yard tally. The rookie wideout has flashed with much better production at times, but Gardner Minshew has been spreading the ball around to a wider variety of targets of late, helping lead to Downs' recent downturn.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Disappoints against Titans
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Downs recorded three receptions on five targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 31-28 overtime win against the Titans.
Downs saw 13 targets in Week 12, but he was unable to replicate that effort against the Titans. He was overshadowed by Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce, the latter of which is particularly concerning for Downs' potential volume moving forward. Overall, he's been limited to under 45 yards in four consecutive games and under 20 yards twice in that span.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Two catches in Frankfurt
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Downs recorded two receptions on three targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Patriots.
Downs played through a knee injury that was expected to keep him limited, and that came to fruition as he saw his lowest target total in a full game since Week 4. His primary contribution came on a 28-yard reception late in the fourth quarter that helped the Colts clinch a win. Heading into a bye, Downs should be able to return healthier for a Week 12 matchup against Tampa Bay.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Injures knee Sunday
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Downs suffered a knee injury during Sunday's contest at Carolina, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Prior to his departure, Downs gathered in his only target for 10 yards. As long as Downs is sidelined, Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Isaiah McKenzie and Juwann Winfree will be the Colts' options at wide receiver.
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Colts' Josh Downs: On track to play Sunday
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Downs (knee) is on pace to play in Sunday's game at Carolina, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Downs was tacked onto the Colts' Week 9 injury report Thursday, practicing in a limited capacity that day and Friday and entering the weekend as questionable due to the knee issue. While he isn't 100 percent, he appears poised to go through a pregame warmup to see how the knee checks out. Ultimately, though, with a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff on tap Sunday, his status won't be known until well after the early slate of games commence. If Downs is inhibited or even inactive, Alec Pierce and Isaiah McKenzie would experience increased reps alongside starting wide receiver Michael Pittman.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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Downs is working his way into must-start status, especially in three-receiver leagues, and Gardner Minshew appears to love the rookie receiver. In his past three games, Downs has scored at least 13.1 PPR points, and he has at least five catches and six targets in each outing against Tennessee, Jacksonville and Cleveland. He also has two games with at least 97 yards over that span, as well as two touchdowns, and Minshew should continue to lean on Downs in Week 8 against the Saints. While New Orleans is a tough matchup, Chris Godwin in Week 4 (19.4 PPR points), Nico Collins in Week 6 (12.0 PPR points) and Christian Kirk in Week 7 (21.0 PPR points) have all done well against this secondary in the past four weeks, so don't shy away from Downs as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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Downs continues to have a breakout rookie campaign, and he's been awesome for most of the past five games. He's scored at least 13.1 PPR points in four games over that span, and he has four outings with at least six targets and five catches. He's scored a touchdown in each of the past two games against the Jaguars and Browns, and he was a star against Cleveland with five catches for 125 yards and a touchdown on six targets. Gardner Minshew is leaning on Downs quite a bit, and the production has been consistent with Minshew under center. Downs is worth starting in all three-receiver leagues, and he should be added where still available for at least 15 percent of your FAB.
