JoshDowns

News: 5 days agoDowns (calf) was spotted on the field participating in Tuesday's practice, Jake Arthur of Roundtable.io reports.

Spin: Downs missed some practice time last week with what he termed as a "very minor" calf injury. The Colts will release their first Week 1 injury report Sept. 9, and if his activity Tuesday is any indication, Downs could be off the report entirely as the team prepares for its season opener against the Ravens.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Downs has settled in as a serviceable slot receiver, which has helped him to finish in the 35-to-45 range among WRs in total fantasy points in each of his three NFL seasons. Downs peaked with a 72-803-5 receiving line in 2024, but took a step back in a crowded offense last season, and failed to deliver a single fantasy week better than 15th at the position. The undersized Downs isn't an option near the goal line, as he hasn't cleared five touchdowns or three end zone targets in a single season. The 25-year-old has a path to a slightly larger role in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. gone, leaving Alec Pierce, Tyler Warren and Keenan Allen as his primary target competition. Downs is a sleeper for flex production in PPR formats.