JOSH DOWNS NEWS

Team-high catch total in loss Downs secured nine of 12 targets for 69 yards in the Colts' 37-34 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. He also returned one punt for 11 yards.

Impact Downs' reception and target totals both set the pace for the Colts, but the second-year receiver was limited to a short-area role in the high-scoring loss. Nevertheless, Downs continued to demonstrate excellent chemistry with fill-in starter Joe Flacco after also posting an 8-82-1 line while working with the veteran signal-caller the majority of the game in Week 4. Downs is clearly set to see an integral role throughout the campaign, and his fantasy stock is surging heading into a Week 6 divisional road matchup against the Titans.

OCTOBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Josh Downs absorbs hit-stick tackle from Antonio Johnson on 20-yard catch Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs absorbs hit-stick tackle from Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Antonio Johnson on 20-yard cat...

OCTOBER 6 • COLTS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Joe Flacco flicks it to Josh Downs for a 13-yard gain on the first play of the game Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco flicks it to wide receiver Josh Downs for a 13-yard gain on the first play of the game against the...

OCTOBER 6 • COLTS.COM

Big day against Steelers Downs recorded eight receptions on nine targets for 82 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 27-24 win over the Steelers.

Impact Downs was on the field for 51 percent of offensive snaps in Week 3 -- his season debut-- but he appeared fully up to speed against Pittsburgh seven days later. He matched Michael Pittman in targets and led the team in receptions while working primarily in short areas of the field and as an effective chain mover. However, he also showed plenty of playmaking ability, highlighted by a four-yard touchdown late in the first quarter and a 25-yard catch and run to help set up an additional score later in the third quarter. Downs' skills likely mesh better with Joe Flacco as opposed to Anthony Richardson (hip), though he's gained a foothold in the Colts' offense and should have the chance to be productive regardless of who is under center.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

'I'm back again:' Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. play like their old selves in Colts' win over Steelers Both wide receivers have had to work through injuries at the beginning of the season, but finally feel like they’re playing like they know t...

SEPTEMBER 30 • COLTS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Josh Downs goes parallel to ground like Superman at end of 13-yard catch Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs goes parallel to ground like Superman at end of a 13-yard catch against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

SEPTEMBER 29 • COLTS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Joe Flacco deals to Josh Downs for a 25-yard catch-and-run play Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco deals to wide receiver Josh Downs for a 25-yard catch-and-run play against the Pittsburgh Steelers...

SEPTEMBER 29 • COLTS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Joe Flacco's first TD pass as a Colt pinpoints Josh Downs Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco's first touchdown pass as a Colt pinpoints wide receiver Josh Downs against the Pittsburgh Steeler...

SEPTEMBER 29 • COLTS.COM

HIGHLIGHT: Joe Flacco flicks it to a diving Josh Downs for a third down conversion Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco flicks it to a diving wide receiver Josh Downs for a third down conversion against the Pittsburgh...

SEPTEMBER 29 • COLTS.COM

Three catches in season debut Downs caught three of five targets for 22 yards in Sunday's 21-16 win over the Bears.

Impact Making his 2024 debut after recovering from an ankle injury, Downs tied Michael Pittman for the team led in targets but didn't net much yardage, as Anthony Richardson continues to struggle with his accuracy on shorter routes. Downs' volume was at least encouraging, but he faces a tough test in Week 4 against the Steelers.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play vs. Bears Downs (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Bears.

Impact Downs participated without limitations in all three of Indianapolis' practices this week, setting the stage for the wide receiver to make his season debut. Michael Pittman (back/calf) is questionable, but Downs' return could lead to decreased playing time for rookie Adonai Mitchell, as Alec Pierce has probably cemented his spot in three-receiver sets with 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns through two games. Downs finished second to Pittman (1,152) with 771 receiving yards last season.

SEPTEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Practices in full, poised to play Downs (ankle) practiced in full Wednesday and appears set to suit up Sunday versus Chicago.

Impact Downs said Wednesday morning he intends to make his 2024 debut versus the Bears, and his ability to handle a full assortment of practice reps acts as convincing confirmation of that plan. The 2023 third-round pick had been sidelined due to a high-ankle sprain since early August, but he was close to returning Week 2. Now, Downs will work in with Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell in a Colts wide receiver corps led by Michael Pittman.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Plans to play vs. Chicago Downs (ankle) said Wednesday he intends to suit up for Sunday's game against the Bears, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact Downs appears to be nearly recovered from the right high-ankle sprain he sustained Aug. 7. He was reportedly viewed as a 50-50 decision to play Week 2 against the Packers, but was ultimately made inactive. The 2023 third-round pick resumed practicing in full prior to being ruled out versus Green Bay, so he could be ready to immediately handle his usual assortment of reps alongside Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell, while working behind top wide receiver Michael Pittman.

SEPTEMBER 18 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive against Green Bay Downs (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game at Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact Downs is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7. Downs had a good week of practice as he went from limited early in the week to full practice on Friday. However, the Colts are likely being cautious with his return. He may be able to make his 2024 debut next week against Chicago. Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell will continue to see ample snaps alongside No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman with Downs out.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Viewed as 50-50 to play Downs (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, is considered "50-50" to play Week 2, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Though his ability to close the week as a full practice participant Friday is normally an indication of a player being ready to play on game day, Downs' status still looks to be up in the air since he had been a limited or non-participant in practice in the five weeks before that while managing a left high-ankle sprain. According to Rapoport, the Colts want to make sure that Downs has zero issues with the ankle before clearing him to play, so the wideout could be put through a pregame workout before the team makes a call on his availability. Official word on Downs' status will be provided when Indianapolis releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Downs doesn't suit up or is subject to a limited snap count, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell could continue to see ample snaps alongside No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable despite full practice Downs (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers after logging a full practice Friday.

Impact It was encouraging that Downs upgraded from limited participation Wednesday and Thursday to full participation Friday, but that wasn't enough to get his name off the team's injury report. Downs hadn't practiced for five weeks before his activity this week, and he sat out the regular-season opener against the Texans, so even if he gets the green light Sunday, Downs likely won't have a full workload. Alec Pierce could once again be the main beneficiary of Downs' absence.

SEPTEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Remains limited at practice Downs (ankle) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.

Impact Two straight limited sessions to open Week 2 prep offer hope that Downs could suit up Sunday against the Packers after missing last week's season-opening loss to the Texans due to a left high-ankle sprain. However, unless the wideout practices fully Friday, he'll likely head into the weekend with an injury designation.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Downs (ankle) was limited at practice Wednesday.

Impact Downs, who continues to progress in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7, noted per James Boyd of The Athletic, the he felt "70 percent" last week and is now feeling in the "80-90 percent" range. At this stage, the wideout says that the key to him feeling capable of playing this Sunday against the Packers rests in his ability to run and cut without thinking about his ankle.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Practice Notebook: Josh Downs, Matt Gay return to practice ahead of Colts' Week 2 matchup vs. Green Bay Packers Neither Downs (ankle) or Gay (hernia) practiced last week, and both did not play in the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans.

SEPTEMBER 11 • COLTS.COM

Set for limited practice Downs (ankle) is slated to be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact Downs -- who is bouncing back from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7 -- continues to make progress, with his looming practice participation representing a key step toward potentially returning to action this weekend versus the Packers. In the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Texans, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell saw added WR snaps behind top option Michael Pittman.

SEPTEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Being monitored for Week 2 Coach Shane Steichen said Monday the Colts will monitor Downs (ankle) heading into the team's Week 2 road matchup against the Packers, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin...

Impact Downs was held out of Indianapolis' 29-27 loss to the Texans on Sunday, but it sounds like he could have a chance to return Week 2 at Green Bay. With Downs sidelined, Alec Pierce was able to translate his increased opportunities into a huge impact, securing all three of his targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. Even if Downs is healthy Week 2, Pierce's impressive performance leaves the Colts with a crowded wide receiver room, with Michael Pittman atop the depth chart and rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell having drawn five targets Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Being monitored for Week 2 Coach Shane Steichen said Monday the Colts will monitor Downs (ankle) heading into the team's Week 2 road matchup against the Packers, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin...

Impact Downs was held out of Indianapolis' 29-27 loss to the Texans on Sunday, but it sounds like he could have a chance to return Week 2 at Green Bay. With Downs sidelined Alec Pierce was able to translate his increased opportunities into a huge impact, securing all three of his targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. Even if Downs is healthy Week 2, Pierce's impressive performance leaves the Colts with a crowded wide receiver room, with Michael Pittman atop the depth chart and rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell having drawn five targets Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Colts WR Josh Downs (ankle) ruled out vs. Texans Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been ruled out of the team’s season opener against the visiting Houston Texans, coach Shane...

SEPTEMBER 6 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Colts' WR Josh Downs ruled out for Sunday's game vs. Texans Colts WR Josh Downs has been ruled out of the team’s Sunday matchup with the Houston Texans.

SEPTEMBER 6 • USATODAY.COM

Out for Sunday's game Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs (ankle) is out for Sunday's season opener against the Texans.

Impact 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 will thus target a potential return Sept. 15 against the Packers. In his absence versus Houston, fellow WRs Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce should see added opportunities behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE