I'm starting Downs as a No. 3 receiver in all leagues in Week 10 against the Falcons in his Kansas City debut. It appears that Xavier Worthy (hamstring) will play against Atlanta, but I'm hopeful the Chiefs will show off their new weapon after acquiring Downs via trade from Indianapolis on Tuesday. He's struggled so far this season with one touchdown and only three outings with at least 12.3 PPR points, but that was catching passes from Daniel Jones. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will hopefully bring out the best in Downs. The Falcons have allowed 10 receivers to score at least 14.6 PPR points this season, including four sets of teammates with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker in Week 2, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden in Week 3, Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele in Week 4 and Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Week 9. I'm hopeful Downs and Rashee Rice will follow suit in Week 10.
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Chiefs' Josh Downs: Likely playing Sunday
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Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday that Downs looks ready to play in Sunday's game at Atlanta, Charles Goldman of AtoZ Sports reports.
The Chiefs traded for Downs on Tuesday before the deadline and had him on the practice field by Wednesday. Reid stopped short of saying Downs will play, but it sounds like the wideout will have some kind of role this Sunday alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy.
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Chiefs' Josh Downs: Sleepers (Start/Sit)
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I'm starting Downs as a high-end No. 3 receiver in all leagues in Week 10 at the Falcons in his Kansas City debut. It appears like Xavier Worthy (hamstring) will play against Atlanta, but I'm hopeful the Chiefs will show off their new weapon after acquiring Downs via trade from Indianapolis on Tuesday. He's struggled so far this season with one touchdown and only three outings with at least 12.3 PPR points, but that was catching passes from Daniel Jones. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will hopefully bring out the best in Downs. The Falcons have allowed 10 receivers to score at least 14.6 PPR points this season, including four sets of teammates with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker in Week 2, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden in Week 3, Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele in Week 4 and Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in Week 9. I'm hopeful Downs and Rashee Rice will follow suit in Week 10.
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Chiefs' Josh Downs: On move to Kansas City
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The Chiefs acquired Downs and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Colts on Tuesday in exchange for 2027 fourth- and fifth-round picks, Tom Pelissero of Netflix reports.
Downs becomes the fourth Colts veteran in a contract year to get shipped out ahead of the deadline, joining guard Quenton Nelson (Seahawks), defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (49ers) and fellow wideout Keenan Allen (49ers). With the move to Kansas City, Downs will get a vast upgrade in quarterback play from Daniel Jones to Patrick Mahomes, though the 25-year-old wideout will face more competition for targets from the likes of Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy and Kenneth Walker.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Another forgettable Week 9 line
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Reaches paydirt in Week 8
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Set for normal role despite trade request
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Will play Sunday
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Held to two grabs in Sunday's loss
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Sit
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Four grabs in Week 6 loss
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Sleeper WRs
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Back to full participation Thursday
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Shows up on Week 6 injury report
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Hauls in three passes in Week 5 loss
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Start
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Held to three catches in Week 4 win
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Start
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Garners 11 targets in victory
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Seven catches as Pierce (heel) exits
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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.
