Fantasy Football News

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.

The Colts activated WR Alec Pierce off the physically unable to perform list Thursday. That move makes him officially available for practice just a couple days after HC Shane Steichen said they expected a return sometime this week.

Colts WR Josh Downs is sidelined with a calf injury. He was allowed to speak to the media on Wednesday, though, and called the issue "very minor." We'll keep an eye on him, but we're not moving Downs in the WR rankings for now.

For a while now, the Colts have been rumored as a potential landing spot for veteran WR Keenan Allen. That finally came to fruition late Monday night, when the sides agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.32 million according to multiple reports.

Colts WR Alec Pierce had a second platelet-rich plasma injection into his left ankle in June, according to multiple reports. Pierce reportedly got the first such treatment back in January but still needed surgery in March. The PRP treatment is meant to accelerate healing.

Colts WR Josh Downs isn't expected to remain out long with his groin injury. HC Shane Steichen said Sunday that the injury isn't serious and that Downs could return as soon as Tuesday's joint practice with the Patriots, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Colts WR Josh Downs sat out practice Saturday with a groin injury, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. We’ll look for more details before worrying about the situation.

Colts HC Shane Steichen called WR Josh Downs "a tremendous football player" and said he's "trying to find different ways to get him the ball." Boosting Downs' playing time would be a good place to start. WR Michael Pittman's departure leaves behind a big opportunity.

Colts QB Daniel Jones said Wednesday that he "absolutely" expects to be ready for Week 1. Jones is now about 5.5 months removed from surgery to repair a torn Achilles. He participated in individual drills in Wednesday's OTA session. “Definitely still work to be done and progress to be made," Jones added. "So, I think it’s just continuing to get stronger, continuing to run faster, cut harder. And progress, kind of, according to the program.”

Colts WR Josh Downs has been efficient through three NFL seasons, averaging 1.74 yards per route. But he's struggled for reliable fantasy value because of his role. Downs has run 81.5% of his routes from the slot and played very little in three-WR sets. That's resulted in route rates of 75%, 75%, and 67%, respectively, over his three seasons. But with WR Michael Pittman's departure, there's a chance Downs gets a full-time role in 2026. And that'd make him an exciting fantasy prospect.

WR Michael Pittman has been traded from the Indianapolis Colts to the Pittsburgh Steelers. After signing Alec Pierce to a $28.5 million average annual salary, the Colts will move on from Pittman. The Steelers had little receiving depth behind WR D.K. Metcalf, so Pittman adds a No. 2 possession WR for HC Mike McCarthy's new offense. Unfortunately, the uncertainty around the Steelers QB position still makes Pittman a shaky fantasy asset, even if Aaron Rodgers returns.

The Colts are expected to start QB Riley Leonard this Sunday against the Texans, according to multiple reports.

It's fun that the Colts almost upset the Seahawks in QB Philip Rivers' first game since 2020. But he certainly didn't boost the fantasy fortunes of anyone around him. Rivers completed a solid 18 of his 27 throws (66.7% completions) and found Josh Downs for an 8-yard TD. But he totaled just 120 yards (4.44 yards per attempt) and added an INT as well.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter report that Colts QB Philip Rivers will start Sunday's game vs. the Seahawks. It's been trending in this direction for the past few days. Rapoport adds that Rivers and QB Riley Leonard both got first-team reps in practice this week and both could play against Seattle. We imagine that'll only happen if Rivers struggles or gets hurt -- but either outcome is plenty possible. Rivers is 44 and hasn't played since 2020. Stay far away from this situation in Week 15 fantasy lineups. All of Indianapolis' skill-position players sit lower than usual in the Week 15 rankings.

ESPN's Stephen Holder believes the Colts are preparing to start QB Philip Rivers vs. the Seahawks on Sunday. "Two days in now, and my time in the building this week has left me only MORE convinced Philip Rivers is this week's starting quarterback," Holder wrote. "It isn't difficult to tell who a team is prepping to start. That player is Rivers. Period." It's not shocking that the Colts don't want to start sixth-round rookie QB Riley Leonard in Seattle. But they'll instead go with a 44-year-old who hasn't played since 2020 and joined the team just a few days ago. Rivers is at least comfortable in HC Shane Steichen's offense, but we don't imagine this going particularly well. Rivers isn't a viable starter in any fantasy format, and Colts pass catchers remain risky bets in Week 15 fantasy lineups.

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Colts QB Daniel Jones needs surgery to repair a ruptured right Achilles. That ends Jones' season, puts his status for the start of the 2026 campaign in question, and leaves the Colts with a big problem at QB.

Colts WR Josh Downs (hip, knee) returned to a full practice on Thursday. He'll be ready to go for this weekend's game against the Jaguars. Jacksonville surprisingly ranks second in adjusted fantasy points allowed to slot WRs.

Colts WR Josh Downs (hip, knee) did not practice on Wednesday. We don't have any other info on these injuries. Downs finished out last weekend's loss to the Texans, so we're tentatively expecting him to play vs. the Jaguars on Sunday. But check back tomorrow for another update on his status.

Colts QB Daniel Jones was added to the injury report and limited in practice on Thursday with a calf. "Sounds like the Colts are being cautious," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport tweeted. "Still worth keeping an eye on..." We'll certainly be keeping an eye on this one. With QB Anthony Richardson on IR, QB Riley Leonard is Indianapolis' backup. He'd be a huge downgrade for the offense.

Jonathan Taylor carried the Colts' offense in Berlin, but WR Alec Pierce had another solid day, leading Indy's receiving corps in targets (7), catches (4), yards (84), and securing QB Daniel Jones's only TD pass. Pierce, who leads the NFL with an average of 20.9 yards per catch, has now averaged 91.5 receiving yards over his last four outings.