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Josh Downs was having a great offseason and was preparing for a big second year for the Indianapolis Colts when he suffered a high ankle sprain in training camp.
It's been three weeks since he sustained the injury with the initial timetable being 4-6 weeks before he returns. That puts Week One very much in question with the Colts set to start their season in just 10 days.
Will Downs be healthy before the season begins? Will Downs play in Week 1?
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Will Josh Downs Play In Week 1?
There's no definitive answer here yet, so stay tuned for more updates over the next week. It seems likely that the Colts would air on the side of caution with Downs with an injury like this, as the last thing they want to do is rush him back before he's 100 percent healthy.
High ankle sprains can linger on for weeks, so in order for Downs to play he's going to have to demonstrate that he's not affected by the injury at all. While that could happen in the next week, fantasy managers should probably make provisions for what they'll do without Downs in their lineup and hope for the best.
Josh Downs 2024 Fantasy Outlook
While the Colts drafted rookie Adonai Mitchell to give Anthony Richardson another target in the passing game, it's Downs who is set to operate in the very valuable slot receiver role.
Downs proved to be a solid route-runner and play-maker last season, hauling in 68 catches for 771 yards. If he can get healthy (and stay healthy), then he could easily surpass those numbers in a Shane Steichen-led offense.
Even with an injury scare... Josh Downs will still have a breakout season on the Colts! pic.twitter.com/dFzmyaVNUN
— Dynasty Nerds (@DynastyNerds) August 13, 2024
Draft Downs in the late rounds of your draft and reap the rewards later. His injury was poorly timed for his chances of starting the season on time, but it caused his ADP to drop nearly 10 spots, and he's an even bigger value than he was before.
Downs is primed to have a big season as the Colts' WR2 and should be a solid asset for fantasy managers as a WR3 or Flex play weekly.
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