Alec Pierce won’t return to practice this week

It was an obvious fit. Downs will slot in as Kansas City’s No. 2 wideout behind Rashee Rice and his fantasy stock receives a slight upgrade — though we felt like we’ve spent all year saying that and never seeing any actual returns for it — while Xavier Worthy moves back to the undesirable FLEX shadow zone. The Colts had to make this trade as Downs was a free agent at year’s end, but it has left them with a completely indecipherable wideout room. Ashton Dulin is perhaps the No. 1 target Daniel Jones has outside of Tyler Warren and Jonathan Taylor.

The Colts have given Downs the opportunity to expand his offensive involvement this year, but he has struggled to capitalize on it without Alec Piece (heel) on the field to keep defenses honest. Downs reportedly asked for a trade roughly two weeks ago, and per Holder, the relationship between Downs and the Colts isn’t “the best” right now. If they can’t get adequate trade value, they may choose to keep him, while also using the lack of a substantial offer as a counterpoint to his recent disgruntlement. Stay tuned.

Downs saw numerous snaps in coverage by his younger brother, Caleb Downs, and was unable to return a usable fantasy outing for the seventh time in nine appearances for the Colts this season. The subject of significant trade speculation ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, Downs appears likely to be headed for a change of scenery in a contract year, with the Colts reportedly already holding an offer in hand. More to come from one of fantasy’s most disappointing mid-round selections.

The Colts’ original asking price for Downs, who has requested a trade, was a third-round pick. Indianapolis has told teams they already have an offer of a fourth-round pick for the 25-year-old receiver, who is in the last year of his rookie contract. Downs is probably one of the more likelier players to be traded ahead of the deadline. Teams have also called the Colts about Keenan Allen, though he’s unlikely to bring back a similar trade return given his age.

Downs’ 2026 season has fallen short of expectations, but perhaps he has a chance to rebound. Breer believes acquiring Downs would “probably” cost a fourth-round pick. He is “one of a number of receivers on the market” at the moment, with the Chiefs and Steelers among the teams looking for help at the position. Breer adds that the 49ers are “open” to adding a wide receiver as well, but with their positional health improving, San Francisco is “less desperate than they were a couple of weeks ago.” The Steelers’ wide receiver corps might be too muddled for Downs to meaningfully increase his productivity, but landing in Kansas City or San Francisco would likely be good for him.

The Rams’ resources are thin. They already traded away their 2027 first- and second-round picks, their 2028 second-round pick and their 2029 third-round pick. They also have just $8,000 in 2026 salary cap space, so restructuring the potential new add’s deal would be required. Atkins believes the Rams should consider Josh Downs as the top option due to his ability to beat man coverage and contribute as a returner. Other options, according to Atkins, include Calvin Ridley, Keenan Allen and Jauan Jennings, “for the likely cost of a Day 3 pick.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters today that general manager Brett Veach has been constantly sharing potential trade targets with the coaching staff for about a month. According to Goldman, the Chiefs could also target additions along the offensive and defensive lines, but he believes the team would “likely have to acquire a receiver through other means” before focusing on the trenches. There aren’t many free agency options right now, though, so it is unclear how this scenario would play out. Goldman notes that Josh Downs and Brian Thomas Jr. “have surfaced in trade discussions.” He does not think the Chiefs will make a move before Sunday, though a move early next week, before the November 10th trade deadline, is still possible.

Downs’ score was something of a pity touchdown in a game the Colts were trailing 35-0 at the 3:59 mark of the third quarter. Jacksonville’s defense had a rare mixup, and Downs was roaming free in the end zone. Amazingly, it was his first touchdown of the year. That speaks to just how dire things have been for Downs in an offense with an ineffective Daniel Jones and ageless Keenan Allen. Downs, who of course must be held responsible for his own mediocre play, will have no shot at a 2026 fantasy revival unless he’s subject to a change-of-scenery trade ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline.

Rapoport then named Josh Downs and Brian Thomas Jr. as players to keep an eye on. Both wideouts are in the midst of down years and their teams have already leaked that they are on the trade block. Thomas Jr. would hopefully unlock the once-vaunted Patrick Mahomes deep ball. Downs, on the other hand, would be another underneath weapon for a passing attack that his simply asking too much of Rashee Rice right now. Both players’ fantasy stock would skyrocket via a trade.

The Colts are already the league’s biggest sellers ahead of the trade deadline and they’re not done yet. While they get plenty of interest in Downs, a third-round pick might be too much to ask after his slow start to the year. Downs has 26 catches for 307 yards as we approach the midway point of the season. Downs is also set to become a free agent in the spring, meaning that he might play only a handful of games for his new team. On the other hand, his disappointing season can largely be written off as the product of a failing offense. Fantasy managers should at least hold onto Downs until the trade deadline, even if he’s barely a WR3 as things stand right now.