Downs had a solid season in 2024, and he will look to build off that performance this year. He's worth drafting with a mid- to late-round pick in all leagues. Last year, Downs set a career-high by averaging 13.1 PPR points per game. He finished the season with 72 catches for 803 yards and five touchdowns on 107 targets in 14 games, and he had seven games with at least 15.1 PPR points. Four of those outings happened in games where Joe Flacco appeared, and quarterback play will determine how well Downs performs in 2025. Anthony Richardson will compete with Daniel Jones for the starting job, and Jones is likely the better quarterback to boost Downs' Fantasy value. But Richardson could be improved this year after spending time with Josh Allen's private quarterback coach in the offseason, so we'll see what develops. Your best bet is to draft Downs with minimal expectations, and hopefully he can outperform his average draft position. He also has to contend with Michael Pittman and Tyler Warren for targets, but Downs should still get plenty of attention. Downs could emerge as a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues, but that likely depends on Richardson or Jones. We're hopeful that Downs can play at a high level again in 2025.
Downs (hamstring) remained sidelined at practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
The wideout left last Thursday's practice with a hamstring injury, and given his continued absence, Downs seems unlikely to see any action in Saturday's preseason finale against the Bengals. When he's healthy, Downs is key contributor in a Colts WR corps that also features Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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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: Held out of preseason opener
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Downs and most other veteran starters didn't play in Thursday's 24-16 preseason loss at Baltimore.
Fellow wideouts Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce also were rested, leaving Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould and rookie tight end Tyler Warren as the the top targets for QB Anthony Richardson, who left the game after a handful of snaps due to a finger dislocation on his throwing hand. Richardson should be fine by Week 1, but the QB situation remains a major concern for Downs' fantasy value after his 2024 production was heavily concentrated in the games Joe Flacco played. Daniel Jones, for all his flaws, is a better bet than Richardson to support fantasy-viable pass catchers -- and especially receivers that rely on short-area targets, like Downs and Pittman. The Colts may give their starters some run in the second or third preseason game, although it's unclear if Richardson or Jones will take the QB reps.
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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: Sleeper WRs
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It looks like Joe Flacco is going to start for the Colts after Anthony Richardson (back) missed practice all week, and Flacco has been good for Downs this season. In five games together, Downs has averaged 16.4 PPR points per game, and he had at least nine targets in each outing. The Giants have allowed 10 receivers to score at least 13.1 PPR points this season, and Downs should be considered a solid No. 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues if Flacco starts in place of Richardson.
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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.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Three catches in loss to Denver
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Downs (shoulder) caught three of eight targets for 32 yards in Sunday's 31-13 loss to the Broncos.
Downs has just 59 receiving yards over his last two appearances, sandwiched around a one-game absence due to a shoulder injury. He had at least 60 yards in seven of his last eight games prior to this downturn, though much of that stretch came with Joe Flacco under center rather than the erratic Anthony Richardson, who threw for only 172 yards in the loss to Denver. Downs will look to get back on track in Week 16 against the Titans.
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Colts' Josh Downs: In line to suit up Week 15
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Downs, who is questionable for Sunday's matchup against Denver due to a shoulder injury, is expected to play, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Downs missed Indianapolis' win over New England in Week 13 due to a shoulder issue, but the Colts' Week 14 bye provided him extra time to recover. After ending this week with a pair of full practice sessions, he should be able to return to action against the Broncos in a critical contest for Indianapolis' playoff chances. Downs' presence would be a big boost to the Colts, as he typically serves as both the team's No. 2 wideout and top punt returner.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Sleeper WRs
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Downs returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 13 with a shoulder injury, and hopefully he plays in Week 15 at Denver following the Colts' bye. Prior to getting hurt in Week 12 against Detroit, Downs had scored at least 12 PPR points in four games in a row and seven of his past eight games. The Broncos have a great secondary when healthy, but cornerback Riley Moss (knee) could be out for the second game in a row. Denver has allowed four receivers in the past two games against Las Vegas and Cleveland to score at least 15.2 PPR points, and Downs should be considered a borderline No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues if healthy.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Practices fully, listed as questionable
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Downs (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Broncos after practicing fully Thursday and Friday.
Downs missed the Colts' win over the Patriots in Week 13, and following the team's bye he has a chance to contain his absence to one game. Though back-to back full practices bode well for his availability, James Boyd of The Athletic relays that head coach Shane Steichen -- who noted that Downs was "looking good" in practice this week -- fell short of declaring the wideout a go for Sunday's contest, saying "we'll see" on that topic. For his part, Downs said that his status for Indianapolis' 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff is a "coaches' decision. It's based on what they say. But yeah, I feel good."
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Colts' Josh Downs: Limited in return to practice
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Downs (shoulder) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
Following the Colts' Week 14 bye, Downs -- who sat out a Week 13 win over the Patriots with the shoulder injury -- is trending in the right direction by getting back on the practice field. The wideout has two more opportunities this week to upgrade to full practice participation, and if he can get to that point, he could approach Sunday's game against the Broncos minus an injury designation.
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Colts' Josh Downs: In line to practice
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Downs (shoulder) is slated to practice Wednesday, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Downs -- who suffered a right shoulder injury in the Colts' Week 12 loss to the Lions -- missed a Week 13 win over the Patriots, but following the team's Week 14 bye, the wideout has progressed to the point that he'll work in some capacity Wednesday. The Colts' first Week 15 injury report will be released later Wednesday and will reveal whether Downs was a limited or full participant to kick off the team's prep for Sunday's game in Denver.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Status after bye unclear
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Downs (shoulder) may not be ready to return after the Colts' Week 14 bye, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star reports. "I don't know yet," head coach Shane Steichen said Monday. "We'll get more updates as the week goes on and into next week, so we'll see. We'll see where it goes."
Downs suffered a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of a Week 12 loss to Detroit, missing a Week 13 win at New England as a result. While he has the bye week to recover, it's not reassuring that Steichen wasn't immediately optimistic about Downs' quick return.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Won't play Sunday
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Head coach Shane Steichen has ruled out Downs (shoulder) for Sunday's game against the Patriots.
With Downs and Ashton Dulin (ankle) both out, Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce (foot) and Adonai Mitchell are in line to lead the Colts' Week 13 wideout corps. With the team on bye in Week 14, Downs' next chance to see game action will arrive Dec. 15 against the Broncos.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Missing Thursday's practice
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Downs (shoulder) didn't participate in practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
On Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen told Boyd that it will be "tough" for Downs to play Sunday against the Patriots, and the wideout's absence from practice Thursday supports that notion. Friday's injury report will reveal whether Downs heads into the weekend with any chance to be available versus New England, a context that also applies to fellow wideouts Alec Pierce (foot) and Ashton Dulin (ankle), who both were sidelined Thursday.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Week-to-week with shoulder injury
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Downs is considered week-to-week after suffering a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Lions, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
While the Colts haven't yet provided an official update on Downs' status, Rapoport relays that the wideout is considered a long shot to play Week 13 against the Patriots. Downs appeared to be in significant pain after his right shoulder was driven into the turf with 11:22 remaining in the fourth quarter, but he was able to check back into the contest for the Colts' final possession. Downs' shoulder injury was evidently more serious than expected after he underwent further evaluation following the game, however. Assuming Downs ends up sitting out against New England, Adonai Mitchell would likely be the top candidate to move into a regular role in three-receiver sets alongside Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Held to three catches in Week 12
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Downs (shoulder) finished with three receptions for 27 yards on seven targets while playing 29 of the Colts' 55 snaps on offense in Sunday's 24-6 loss to the Lions.
Downs recorded a pair of catches on the Colts' first four plays of the game, but he was mostly quiet for the rest of the day. He didn't notch his third and final reception until the 11:22 mark of the fourth quarter, hurting his right shoulder on the play. Downs did return for the Colts' final possession, so he looks to have avoided a serious injury. That said, it wouldn't be surprising if he appeared on the Colts' Week 13 injury report prior to a matchup with the Patriots next Sunday.
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Colts' Josh Downs: WRs to Start
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Downs played well with Anthony Richardson under center in Week 11, and Downs should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues in Week 12 against the Lions. Detroit is No. 4 in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing receivers, and at least one receiver has scored at least 13.6 PPR points against the Lions in every game this season, with nine receivers scoring at least 16.1 PPR points. Downs had five catches for 84 yards and a touchdown on five targets in Week 11 at the Jets, and he has now scored at least 19.4 PPR points in his past two starts with Richardson. Downs has also scored at least 12.0 PPR points in four games in a row overall.
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Colts' Josh Downs: Leading receiver in Week 11 win
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Downs caught all five of his targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Jets.
Downs continued to work as the top option in Indianapolis' passing game as the Colts went back to Anthony Richardson under center. The second-year wideout led the Colts in receiving yards and scored the team's only touchdown through the air while Richardson provided another two with his legs. Downs has reached 60 receiving yards in six of his last seven games and has a nice opportunity to keep rolling in Week 12 against a Lions defense that has given up plenty of yardage to wide receivers.
