The Indianapolis Colts are preparing for a crucial Week 9 matchup as they look to build on their recent success. Josh Downs is dealing with a hip injury that kept him out of Wednesday’s practice. Will fantasy football managers have the Colts receiver available for this week’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Josh Downs Injury Update
Thursday update:Â Downs returned to a full session on Thursday. He is good to go.
Downs did not practice on Wednesday with a hip injury, marking a new health concern for the receiver who has been banged up seemingly all season. This is a different issue from the concussion that sidelined him in Week 7, from which he returned last week after missing just one game.
The hip injury represents yet another physical setback for Downs, who has dealt with multiple ailments throughout the 2025 campaign. He had previously missed time with an ankle injury and the concussion that kept him out against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 7.​
Downs only caught three passes last week against the Tennessee Titans but did score a touchdown in his return from the concussion protocol. His limited production came despite playing his usual role in the Colts’ offensive system.
The timing of Wednesday’s absence is concerning given that Downs has been quietly solid for fantasy managers despite almost exclusively playing in three-receiver sets. His role as the primary slot receiver has made him a consistent target for quarterback Daniel Jones throughout the season.
Head coach Shane Steichen will likely provide more details about the severity of the hip injury as the week progresses. Wednesday practice absences can often be precautionary, but the fact that this represents another injury for Downs raises questions about his durability.
The Colts will need to monitor Downs’ progress throughout the week to determine his availability for Sunday’s game. His participation level in Thursday and Friday practices will serve as key indicators for his potential to play against Pittsburgh.
Given his injury history this season, the team may take a cautious approach with their slot receiver to avoid further complications. The hip issue adds another layer of concern to what has been a challenging year physically for Downs.
Downs’ Fantasy Outlook
If Downs cannot play against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Alec Pierce will become the WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr. in the Colts’ receiving hierarchy. Pierce has shown the ability to step into expanded roles when opportunities arise, making him a viable fantasy option in Downs’ absence.
The Colts will, of course, continue to lean heavily on Jonathan Taylor as their primary offensive weapon. But Pierce becomes startable as a flex option every time Downs doesn’t play. His big-play ability and chemistry with Jones provide upside potential in favorable matchups.
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Downs has been a reliable fantasy contributor when healthy, operating primarily from the slot position where he finds consistent success. His ability to work the intermediate areas of the field has made him a dependable target in PPR formats throughout the season.
The hip injury comes at an unfortunate time for fantasy managers who have relied on Downs as a steady contributor. His three-catch, one-touchdown performance last week showed he can still be productive on limited volume.
Pierce’s fantasy relevance remains directly linked to Downs’ health status moving forward. If the hip injury forces another absence, Pierce would be firmly on the WR3 radar for fantasy managers seeking reliable production.
Fantasy managers should closely monitor Thursday’s practice report to gauge Downs’ progress with the hip issue. His participation level will provide crucial insight into his chances of suiting up against Pittsburgh’s defense.
The Steelers present a favorable matchup for Indianapolis receivers when healthy, making Downs’ availability particularly important for fantasy purposes. His slot role typically generates consistent target volume in competitive games.
