Josh Downs

WR IND

College: North Carolina | 2 years
Height: 5'9" | Weight: 171 lbs
Birth Date: 2001-08-12
Depth Chart: SWR.1
2025 Bye Week: 11

Rostered: 61.7%
Started: 10.4%
Total Pts: 87.6
Avg Pts: 7.96
Rank: 47 WR

Fantasy WeekPts
Scoring
Week 11.30Josh Downs 3 receiving yds (0.30 pts)
Josh Downs 1 reception (1.00 pts)
Player Notes
Nov 29 7:20am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been quiet of late, having caught just three of his eight targets for 13 scoreless yards over his past two games. Downs will look to get back on track at home against the Houston Texans in Week 13. The Texans represent a difficult matchup for Downs as they are allowing just the 29th-most fantasy points per game to opposing receivers this season. Downs has not been a priority target in the Indy passing attack this season, which has cut into his fantasy value. He sets up as a WR5 and is not a safe fantasy option heading into Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Nov 25 2:20pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught just two of his six targets for 10 yards in Sunday's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12. Downs was trending up in fantasy football after recording touchdown grabs in three straight games, but the 24-year-old has had back-to-back duds with three total receptions (eight targets) for just 13 yards the last two games. He has taken a back seat in the Colts' passing game behind receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. While the former third-rounder is still useful depth in most fantasy formats, he'll be hard to trust going into a difficult Week 13 matchup against the league's top defense in the Houston Texans. Downs is up to 38 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns on 54 targets in 10 games in 2025 in his third year in the NFL.

From RotoBaller

Nov 21 3:50pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs should be well-rested as he comes out of a Week 11 bye to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in Week 12. Downs has been up and down this season as he is not enjoying the high volume that he has in past seasons. That being said, he scored a touchdown in three straight games in October and early November. The Chiefs have been tough on receivers this season, allowing just the 27th-most fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Downs isn't exactly a safe play but he's worth a look as a flex option/WR5 in deeper leagues, especially if your team is dealing with several players on their bye in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Nov 20 10:10pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs continues to lose ground in his battle for playing time and volume. As the Colts emerge from their Week 11 bye and prepare for Week 12 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Downs is likely fourth in the pass-catching pecking order behind Michael Pittman Jr., Tyler Warren, and Alec Pierce. In his last game, the 24-year-old played a mere 43 percent of the offensive snaps, converting two targets into one catch for three yards. The 24-year-old impressed as the WR35 in PPR leagues last season, but he has taken a step backward this year. The Colts are running the ball quite often, and when Daniel Jones does throw, he often looks for a different weapon. Downs ranks outside the top 40 receivers and can no longer be trusted in fantasy starting lineups.

From RotoBaller

Nov 14 11:50pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs saw a massive reduction in snaps and targets during his last game against the Atlanta Falcons. In Berlin, Downs played a mere 43 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps, converting two targets into one catch for three yards. The 24-year-old impressed as the WR35 in PPR leagues last season, but he has taken a step backward this year. He ranks outside the top 40 receivers and can no longer be trusted on a week-to-week basis. One reason for Downs' struggles is the increased competition around him. Indy is leaning on the run more than usual given Jonathan Taylor's success, and they've also gotten exceptional contributions from Tyler Warren, Michael Pittman Jr., and Alec Pierce. This has left Downs as somewhat of the odd man out. We do expect him to command more than two targets per game going forward, but he's not startable for the time being. Managers should leave Downs on the bench when the Colts return from their bye in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Nov 11 6:20pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs caught just one of his two targets for a three-yard gain in a 31-25 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin in Week 10. Downs was surprisingly quiet in the win as the Colts leaned on Tyler Warren and Alec Pierce in the passing attack. The veteran slot receiver saw a three-game touchdown streak come to an end, as well, in the contest. Overall, Downs has caught 36 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns in nine games this season. He will be on bye in Week 11 before an important road matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Nov 8 8:20am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been on a hot streak of late, scoring a touchdown in three straight games. Overall the veteran slot receiver has hauled in 35 passes for 313 yards and three scores in eight games in the explosive Indy offense while taking a backseat to Michael Pittman Jr. and Tyler Warren this season. Downs will look to find the end zone again in a Week 10 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Berlin. The Falcons have been tough on opposing receivers this season, allowing the 26th-most fantasy points per game to the position. Downs will have his work cut out for him, but he can be trusted as a solid WR4/flex option for fantasy gamers heading into Week 10.

From RotoBaller

Nov 6 11:20am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has attracted interest from fantasy managers of late after scoring a touchdown in three straight games. In that span, along with his three scores, Downs has 15 receptions on 19 targets for 138 yards for the Colts. Indy has a crowded receiver room with Michael Pittman Jr., Alex Pierce, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren all demanding targets, but Downs has consistently attracted the eye of quarterback Daniel Jones. In the last four games, the 24-year-old pass-catcher has had at least seven targets in three contests, and he's caught exactly six passes in three of those four games. He drew a season-high nine targets in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the team down multiple scores for most of the day. The former third-rounder will be looking to score for a fourth straight week on Sunday in Germany against the Atlanta Falcons.

From RotoBaller

Nov 5 6:26am CT

Week 10 WR Rankings: Christian Watson, Josh Downs and More Matthew Freedman highlights his favorite wide receivers from his Week 10 fantasy football rankings. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

Nov 4 10:00am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been a key piece of the offense all season and has now scored in three consecutive games. Downs caught six of nine targets for 57 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 27-20 loss to the Steelers in Week 9, tying with Alec Pierce for second on the team in receptions. The 24-year-old has now recorded at least six receptions in three of his last four games and has become Daniel Jones' favorite target on third downs, leading the team with a 30% targets per route run. For the season, Downs' production has been overshadowed by Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Tyler Warren, and lately, Alec Pierce, but he's still an integral piece of the vaunted Colts offense. Downs is a solid WR3/flex option in most weeks, and with plenty of bye weeks still to come, he is a solid option to add off the waiver wire for Week 10.

From RotoBaller

Nov 1 9:00am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) practiced fully on Thursday and Friday after missing his team's Wednesday practice and is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 9 road matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs will look to build upon an encouraging Week 8 outing that saw him haul in all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans. He has a great matchup on tap as the Steelers are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season. Downs has been overtaken in the passing-game pecking order by Michael Pittman Jr., but he remains a solid WR3/flex option in fantasy in this prime matchup on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Oct 30 12:30pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) appears to be returning to practice on Thursday after he did not practice on Wednesday due to a hip injury. Downs missed the Week 7 game due to a concussion but returned in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans, playing 64% of the offensive snaps while catching all three of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown, his second in as many games. The 24-year-old is now dealing with a hip injury as the team prepares to face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 9, but his return to practice on Thursday means he's trending in the right direction. Downs has been the team's WR2 in healthy in a much-improved offense led by MVP candidate Daniel Jones in 2025. If Downs gets cleared to play in Pittsburgh this Sunday, he'll certainly have WR3 upside against a Steelers secondary that has not performed up to expectations this year.

From RotoBaller

Oct 30 11:20am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) remains a solid bet in fantasy, despite the team's aversion to 11 personnel. Through eight weeks, Indianapolis has run three-wide-receiver sets at one of the lower rates in the league (58.81%). Still, Downs has finished with double-digit fantasy points in four of seven appearances while participating on more than 60% of snaps just twice. Unfortunately, the former North Carolina Tarheel began the week as a DNP due to a hip injury, so fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his status ahead of Sunday's road outing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Downs can't go, fellow wide receiver Alec Pierce projects to see a bump in targets alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Tyler Warren.

From RotoBaller

Oct 29 7:30pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip) didn't take the field for Wednesday's practice session. Downs sat out in Week 7 due to a concussion, but made his return to the field last weekend. He hauled in all three of his targets for 39 yards with a touchdown in the win over the Tennessee Titans. It's worth noting that Downs was on the field for a season-high 64 percent of the offensive snaps last weekend. When healthy, Downs appears to be earning more playing time in Indy. Fantasy managers should monitor his status throughout the week. Downs should be able to offer flex value for the Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Oct 28 10:30am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs returned from a one-week absence due to a concussion in Week 9, recording three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown in his team's win over the Tennessee Titans. Downs has now hauled in 29 receptions for 256 yards and two scores on 37 targets across seven games in 2025. The Colts have been one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL this season, averaging over 30 points per game. Given the environment around him, Downs holds fantasy value even if he's a tertiary target earner behind Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and tight end Tyler Warren. Downs has earned at least five targets in five out of his seven games played. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues heading into Indianapolis' Week 9 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Oct 25 8:30am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs missed his team's Week 7 contest after suffering a concussion following Week 6's win over the Arizona Cardinals. Downs practiced fully on Thursday and Friday heading into a Week 8 matchup against the Tennessee Titans and is listed without an injury designation. Downs' return crowds the Indy receiver room as Michael Pittman Jr. has been dominant in the red zone and Alec Pierce has also carved out a sizeable role for the team. Downs can't be counted on as a PPR cheat code as he was in past seasons, but he will remain a decent, high-floor, low-ceiling fantasy option in Week 8. He sets up as a solid WR4 with six NFL teams on bye this week.

From RotoBaller

Oct 24 12:30pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is ready to suit up for Sunday's divisional game against the Tennessee Titans, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. A concussion sidelined Downs for the Week 7 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, but he'll return this weekend after missing just one game with his head injury. The 24-year-old should slot back in to WR2 duties behind Michael Pittman Jr., making Alec Pierce a more volatile flex play for fantasy managers this Sunday in a game where the Colts probably won't need to air the ball out. Before his head injury, Downs was on the rise, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in the previous two games. The former third-rounder has 26 receptions, 217 yards, and one touchdown in six games in 2025 and will be in play as a WR3/flex in Week 8 now that he's officially back.

From RotoBaller

Oct 23 12:40pm CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (concussion) has upgraded out of the red non-contact jersey that he wore during practice on Wednesday, according to Jake Arthur of Locked on Colts. Downs suffered a concussion in Week 6 and was inactive in last week's win over the Los Angeles Chargers. However, the 24-year-old was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday and is trending in the right direction to gain clearance from the league's concussion protocol by the weekend. Downs is still up in the air to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but if he continues to make progress, he could return on Sunday. Before his head injury, Downs was on an upward trajectory as the Colts' WR2, catching 12 of his 15 targets for 96 yards and a touchdown in his last two games. If he returns against the Titans, it will be bad news for fantasy managers looking to stream Alec Pierce in Week 8.

From RotoBaller

Oct 23 9:30am CT

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has had a steady, but unspectacular, start to the 2025 season. Through six games, Downs has logged 26 receptions on 34 targets for 217 yards and a touchdown, ranking as the WR51 on a per-game basis. While the production hasn't fully taken off, the Colts' offense has been one of the league's best, leading the NFL in scoring (33.1 PPG) and ranking fourth in total yards per game (387.1). Downs missed Week 7 against the Chargers while in concussion protocol, but a limited practice on Wednesday suggests he's trending in the right direction for Week 8. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress closely ahead of a favorable matchup against the Titans.

From RotoBaller

Oct 22 11:20am CT

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Josh Downs (head) remains in the league's concussion protocol, but he will practice on Wednesday, according to Jake Arthur of Locked on Colts. Downs suffered a concussion in Week 6 and was unable to suit up in Sunday's victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He appears to be making progress through the league's protocols for head injuries, and his return to practice on Wednesday is a good sign. Downs will most likely be limited in Wednesday's practice, though, and he will need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist later in the week to play in Week 8 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. When healthy, Downs has served as the team's WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr. If Downs can play this Sunday, it would make Alec Pierce less attractive as a flex play after his big performance against the Bolts.

From RotoBaller

Player Transactions
  • 16-May-2023: Josh Downs - SGN - The Indianapolis Colts signed WR Josh Downs.
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