Josh Downs is returning to practice just over a week before the Colts’ home opener against the Ravens, according to Colts beat reporter Nathan Brown. He had been sidelined briefly by what was described as a very minor calf injury.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: Week 1 Comes With Risk
Downs didn’t get the third-year jump he’d hoped for, falling from 13.0 PPR points per game in his second season to 8.5 last year.
Downs missed just one game last year, but both his production and efficiency fell off: target share dropped from 25.6% to 17.1%, and yards per team pass attempt fell from 1.90 to 1.09.
Downs is still listed as the Colts' second WR, but the path to targets isn't any clearer. Alec Pierce is on a larger contract, Tyler Warren is heading into his second season, and the Colts recently signed Keenan Allen despite trading away Michael Pittman Jr.
The quick return suggests the calf injury was as minor as described, putting Downs on track to enter opening weekend healthy as he tries to rebound from a down third season.
