Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs suffered an apparent injury in the club’s Week 12 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Here’s the latest after Sunday’s game.
What Happened to Josh Downs?
Downs stayed down on the field after picking up seven yards on an end-around early in the fourth quarter.
His right shoulder was driven into the ground on the play. Downs immediately started grabbing at his collarbone area, but he was eventually able to leave the field while holding his helmet with his right arm.
Josh Downs –
Concern for Right AC/Clavicle injury and/or labral injury.
Angle + force give concern for clavicle on this one. Staff is checking on him down on the field. Not anticipating good news. pic.twitter.com/Ik8ayozbML— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept)
The second-year wideout didn’t visit the Colts’ medical tent after the play.
Downs entered Week 12 as Indy’s leader in targets (71), receptions (50), and receiving touchdowns (four) despite missing the first two games of the 2024 campaign with a high-ankle sprain.
Downs, a third-round pick out of North Carolina in 2023, posted three catches for 27 yards before going down on Sunday.
Did Downs Return in Week 12?
Indianapolis announced that Downs was questionable to return due to his shoulder injury.
Downs re-entered Week 12 on the Colts’ next offensive drive. However, he didn’t look right after failing to catch a deep pass from Anthony Richardson with roughly five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Downs returned to Indianapolis’ sideline and appeared to be having trouble with his shoulder injury. Downs finished the game with just three catches for 27 yards.
Downs wasn’t the only Indy wideout who got banged up Sunday. Michael Pittman Jr. briefly left Week 12 with a shoulder injury, while Alec Pierce was walking gingerly at one point.
Fantasy Impact of Downs’ Injury
Downs has worked his way into being our highest-ranked Colts receiver, but with Richardson under center, counting on any of these receivers is a dangerous dance.
Pittman looked good in Week 12 and would be the primary fantasy football value gainer due to this injury, shifting back onto the WR2 tier. Pierce’s target equity would inch up, but not enough to make him anything more than a dart throw Flex option.
— PFN Analyst Kyle Soppe