Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs has cleared concussion protocol and will play Sunday against the Titans, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.
The wideout was trending in the right direction after practicing fully Thursday, and with Downs past the concussion that sidelined him Week 7, he'll reclaim his role in a Colts' WR corps that also features Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce. In six games prior to his concussion, Downs compiled a 26-217-1 line on 34 targets, a pace that has given the 2023 third-rounder a degree of fantasy utility in deeper formats and makes him a lineup option for those in need of WR help with six teams on bye this week.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Practices fully Thursday
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Downs (concussion) practiced fully Thursday.
After returning to a limited practice Wednesday, Downs -- who was inactive Week 7 -- upgraded to full participation a day later while shedding his non-contact jersey in the process, per James Boyd of The Athletic. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Downs carries an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Titans or is fully cleared to reclaim his role in a Colts WR corps that also features Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Limited in return to practice
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Downs (concussion) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Downs didn't practice last week before being ruled out ahead of this past Sunday's 38-24 win over the Chargers. With a return to practice, albeit in a limited capacity, the wideout is trending in the right direction as this weekend's game against the Titans approaches. Also making strides toward a return to action in Week 8 is fellow WR Ashton Dulin (chest), who practiced fully Wednesday.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Week 8 Waiver Priority List
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Downs missed Week 7 at the Chargers with a concussion, but hopefully he can return to action in Week 8 against Tennessee. Prior to Week 7, Downs had scored at least 11.4 PPR points in each of his previous two games, and he had 12 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets over that span. It looked like he was building toward something, and hopefully that momentum isn't lost due to the concussion. He should be added in all leagues for at least 5 percent of your remaining FAB. You can also take a look at Alec Pierce (27 percent rostered), and he has scored at least 10.7 PPR points in three of his past four games, including a season-high 14.8 PPR points in Week 7. Pierce will benefit if Downs remains out, but Pierce can also be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in deeper leagues even when Downs is healthy. Pierce is worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Won't play Sunday
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Downs (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
The same applies to Ashton Dulin (chest), a context that results in Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce being slated to lead the Colts' Week 7 WR corps. Adonai Mitchell is on track to be active and contribute Sunday, while Anthony Gould is available to mix in. Additionally, Laquon Treadwell and Coleman Owen represent possible practice-squad elevations.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Still not practicing
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Downs (concussion) isn't practicing Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
Downs didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday either, so his apparent non-participation Friday doesn't bode well for his chances of being cleared to play Sunday against the Chargers. The Colts' upcoming injury report will reveal whether Downs has a chance to play this weekend or is ruled out ahead of Week 7 action.
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Colts' Josh Downs: In concussion protocol
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Downs (concussion) didn't practice Wednesday.
With Downs in the NFL's concussion protocol, per Stephen Holder of ESPN.com, the wideout's status will need to be tracked ahead of this weekend's game against the Chargers. In this past Sunday's 31-27 win over the Cardinals, Downs logged a 51 percent snap share while catching six of his seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown. If he's limited or out versus Los Angles, Ashton Dulin (chest) -- if available -- Adonai Mitchell and Anthony Gould would be candidates for added snaps alongside fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Week 7 Adds (WR Preview)
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It was a slow start to the season for Downs but he has six catches in each of his last two games and leads the Colts with a 20.5% target share since Week 2. I would still prefer to start Pittman, but that gap continues to shrink, and both are worthy of consideration as low-end WR3s. Dows has posted a 76% catch rate this year but has only averaged 8.3 yards per catch, so he is more valuable in full PPR than he is half or non.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Gets into end zone Sunday
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Downs brought in six of seven targets for 42 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 31-27 win over the Cardinals on Sunday.
Downs' day got off on the right foot with receptions of nine, 11 and five yards on the opening drive, and he ultimately added his first touchdown catch of the season on a five-yard grab early in the fourth quarter. Downs has back-to-back six-catch efforts heading into a Week 7 road matchup against the Chargers, and he's logged at least five targets in three consecutive contests.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Six catches in Week 5 win
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Downs brought in six of eight targets for 54 yards in the Colts' 40-6 win over the Raiders on Sunday.
On a day when Daniel Jones spread the ball around in customary fashion, Downs' six receptions qualified as a team-high figure. The third-year wideout's yardage tally was also a new season high, although as his 9.0 yards per reception corroborates, Downs continues to be utilized almost exclusively in a short-area role. While his upside remains capped as a result, Downs particularly holds appeal in PPR formats heading into a Week 6 home matchup against the Cardinals next Sunday afternoon.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Four receptions in loss
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Downs had four receptions for 24 yards on five targets in Sunday's loss at the Rams.
Downs was third among receivers/tight ends for targets after Michael Pittman (10) and Tyler Warren (six). Warren has become a focus in the intermediate passing game, which may limit Downs' upside.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Peripheral role in win
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Downs recorded two catches on three targets for 34 yards in Sunday's 41-20 win over the Titans.
The Colts had a relatively flat target distribution, but Downs still slipped behind each of Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce and Tyler Warren for opportunities in the passing game. Downs managed an impressive 29-yard catch early in the first quarter to set up a field goal, but he now has only two catches in two of three games to begin the campaign.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Logs full practice
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Downs (ankle) returned to a full practice Thursday.
Downs sat out Wednesday's practice, but his ability to handle every rep a day later sets the stage for the wideout to be available this weekend against the Titans. After seeing just three targets Week 1, Downs logged a 6-51-0 stat line on eight targets in this past Sunday's 29-28 win over the Broncos. On most weeks, the 2023 third-rounder should see enough volume to be worthy of consideration in PPR formats, but with fellow WRs Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce and TE Tyler Warren (toe) also in the pass-catching mix, Downs has some notable competition for the attention of QB Daniel Jones.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Gets more involved in Week 2
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Downs recorded six receptions on eight targets for 51 yards in Sunday's 29-28 win over the Broncos.
Downs wasn't prioritized in the Colts' Week 1 offense, though he led the team in both targets and receptions in Week 2. He was busy early in the game, as he recorded two receptions for 29 yards on the team's first four offensive plays. Tyler Warren has quickly emerged as Daniel Jones' favorite target, leaving Downs as likely to rotate productive games with the likes of Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Two grabs in first game with Jones
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Downs brought in two of three targets for 12 yards in the Colts' 33-8 win over the Dolphins on Sunday.
As his final line indicates, Downs went through a very quiet afternoon in his first regular-season action with Daniel Jones as his quarterback. The dynamic third-year pro opened the season in the No. 2 role, but rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who drew a team-leading nine targets right out of the gate, is expected to cause a hit to Downs' opportunities over the course of the season. Additionally, No. 3 and No. 4 wideouts Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell accounted for another five looks from Jones, further clouding Downs' outlook heading into a Week 2 home showdown against a tough Broncos defense next Sunday.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Not on Week 1 injury report
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Downs (hamstring) isn't listed on the initial injury report for Sunday's game against Miami.
He's apparently made a full recovery from the hamstring injury that kept him out of practice throughout the second half of August.With that out of the way, Downs gets a favorable matchup to start the season, facing a Miami secondary that has four players unavailable while on injury lists. One of those players is standout nickelback Kader Kohou, who might otherwise have matched up against Downs for much of Sunday's game. Fifth-round rookie Jason Marshall is the favorite to replace Kohou in the slot, although the Dolphins could also use 30-year-old Rasul Douglas or one of their safeties there. Either way, Downs should have the edge.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Misses practice Wednesday
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Downs (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Downs left practice Aug. 14 with a hamstring injury and didn't play in Saturday's preseason game. He's unlikely to play in Indy's final preseason game, so the severity of the injury may not become more clear until practice next week ahead of the start of the regular season.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Exits Thursday's practice
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Downs left Thursday's practice with a hamstring injury, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
The report notes that Downs walked off under his own power, but the wideout's status for Saturday's preseason contest against the Packers nonetheless is worth monitoring. Consider Downs day-to-day for now.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Just misses century mark in OT win
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Downs caught 10 of 13 passes for 94 yards in Sunday's 26-23 overtime win over the Jaguars.
The catches and targets were season highs for Downs, who led the Colts in receiving in Week 18, while the yardage total was his second-highest of 2024. The second-year wideout saw a modest increase on his rookie production, posting a 72-803-5 line on 107 targets over 14 games this year, and while he flashed his talent on a consistent basis, his ceiling was limited by the erratic quarterbacking of Anthony Richardson (back). Downs could have a true breakout in 2025, but it would likely require Richardson to take a big step forward as well.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Productive in high-scoring victory
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Downs brought in three of four targets for 61 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 38-30 win over the Titans on Sunday.
On an afternoon when Anthony Richardson attempted just 11 passes and finished with a modest 131 yards through the air, Downs' reception, receiving yardage and target totals were all team highs. The second-year wideout also recorded his fifth touchdown grab of the season on a nifty 27-yard catch and run late in the second quarter on which he successfully tiptoed the right sideline on his way to the end zone. Downs' production, along with that of the rest of Indianapolis' pass catchers, remains hard to trust with Richardson under center, but the talented receiver still carries upside on paper against a vulnerable Giants secondary on the road in Week 17.
