Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Downs had yet to take the field this season due to the injury. After previously stating that he plans to play in Week 3, Downs' official practice participation suggests that that is true. Downs is a talented young receiver for an offense that is growing together. He recorded 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. Downs is not someone you should start in Week 3 but he is worth a stash if you have space on your bench. Either way, he should substantially help quarterback Anthony Richardson as a short-yardage target.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) said he plans to make his season debut in Week 3 at home at Lucas Oil Stadium this Sunday against the visiting Chicago Bears. Downs suffered a right high-ankle sprain at training camp in August and was forced to miss the first two games of the regular season as a result. However, the 23-year-old was 50-50 to play in the Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field and could get the green light if he's able to do more in practices this week. The third-round selection last year was set to enter the 2024 season as the No. 2 wideout behind Michael Pittman Jr., so Downs' return will be bad news for anyone that plucked Alec Pierce off the waiver wire recently. Downs, himself, is worth a pickup off the waiver wire now that he's nearing his return. The former Tar Heel caught 68 of 98 targets for 771 yards and two scores in 17 games in his rookie season in 2023.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Adonai Mitchell caught just one of his four targets for a 30-yard gain in the team's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. This now marks the second week in a row Mitchell saw favorable targets and air yards but has been unable to turn them into fantasy production. Mitchell's speed and separation abilities are undeniable, but he hasn't shown that he has a safe enough floor as a member of this Colts offense to warrant starting him with confidence in lineups. On top of that, the Colts are expecting WR Josh Downs (knee) to return back to the fold eventually, and it's unclear who's snap share will take the largest hit as a result. Fantasy managers will need to monitor Downs' Week 3 status before closely starting Mitchell in lineups, and even then, he can be considered a boom-or-bust WR4 option with the hopes that he can connect on a deep ball or two from Richardson.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught just three of his seven targets for 21 yards in the team's loss to the Green Bay Packers. This now makes the second week in a row Pittman was the most targeted pass-catcher but has been unable to convert the target share into fantasy production. The Colts' passing offense remains unpredictable, with QB Anthony Richardson at the helm as volume remains relatively low. Although it is another bust of a week for Pittman, he remains the No. 1 option for Richardson which should help ease the worries of fantasy managers. Fantasy managers in more shallow leagues can consider benching him next week until it's seen that he and Richardson's chemistry can materialize. Still, managers in deeper formats can look to include him as a WR3 option in the team's Week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce led all pass-catchers when he grabbed five of his seven targets for 56 yards and a touchdown in the team's Week 2 loss to the Green Bay Packers. This now makes two weeks in a row where Pierce was the most productive member of the WR room, ahead of the likes of WRs Michael Pittman Jr. and Adonai Mitchell, who were projected to have more involved roles than Pierce. Pierce also led all three in snaps with 53, further solidifying himself as a legitimate option in the offense. It's unclear how snap shares may differ when WR Josh Downs (knee) returns to the lineup, but Pierce looks to be QB Anthony Richardson's favorite target thus far in the season. Fantasy managers in all formats should look to him as a Waiver Wire target but might want to follow the status of Downs' Week 3 availability against the Chicago Bears before inserting him into lineups.