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    Josh Downs turns four targets into 18 yards

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    IND Wide Receiver #2
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    Josh Downs caught 2-of-4 targets for 18 yards in the Colts’ Week 7 loss to the Vikings.

    Downs’ four targets were the most on the team, though he caught just two for 18 yards. His lack of red zone usage and deep targets cap his ability to get explosive plays or touchdowns. He led all Colts wideouts with 52 snaps, tallying seven more than second-place Laquon Treadwell. Even with Tyler Warren (groin) out, Downs is losing middle-of-the-field targets to Keenan Allen. Given his low output with both Warren and Alec Pierce out, Downs is a low-ceiling WR4/FLEX play for Week 8 against the Jaguars.
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  • IND Wide Receiver #2
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    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.
  • JAC Wide Receiver #7
    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.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    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.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    Steichen confirmed that Downs did indeed request a trade, but that won’t stop him from being on the field this week against the Jaguars. The Colts appear to be in full sell mode after trading away OG Quenton Nelson and DT DeForest Buckner earlier this week. Downs has been on the practice field this week and profiles as a fringe WR3/WR4 after a string of tough outings.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    Downs was cagey when asked on Wednesday morning whether he had officially asked for his ticket out of Indianapolis, but Fowler maintains the wideout has requested the Colts trade him before the NFL’s trade deadline. That could very well happen in the coming days with the miserable Colts in fire sale mode, having dealt Quenton Nelson to Seattle and DeForest Buckner to the Niners. Downs, who has 26 receptions for 307 scoreless yards this season, would make sense as a trade target for the wideout-needy Chiefs, the Steelers, and perhaps the Seahawks.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    Schefter listed out DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, and Downs as players that could potentially be on the move as the Colts continue what from all outside appearances looks to be a fire sale. He thinks Buckner will be the next player on the move and likely go for less than Quenton Nelson. Downs certainly hasn’t impressed with his opportunity this season, but he’s a valuable receiver and Indianapolis didn’t exactly but him in an ideal scenario with Alec Pierce hurt and Keenan Allen playing alongside him while Daniel Jones struggles to regain his 2025 form.
  • IND Wide Receiver #14
    Pierce, dealing with a heel injury since mid-September, will continue rehabbing and remain on injured reserve ahead of the Colts’ Week 7 game against the Vikings. Since Week 3, Keenan Allen leads the Colts with a 24 percent target share, while Josh Downs has 17 percent of the team’s targets and 26 percent of the team’s air yards. Neither wideout is a great option in Week 7 against a marauding Minnesota defense.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    It was a rough fantasy day for Downs, who committed two terrible drops and was stopped at the one-inch line on his second quarter end-around. He was also the intended target on one of Daniel Jones’ two interceptions, though the miscue was Downs’ fault after he bobbled a ball up into the air. On top of everything, Downs also tweaked his shoulder. He did at least remain in the game. Just not looking up to the No. 1 receiver task as the Colts await Alec Pierce’s return, Downs is sadly maxing out as a low-ceiling WR3 option in fantasy leagues.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    Given how Downs’ season is going, it’s hard to believe he’s going to do much with the extra runway, but Tyler Warren (groin) popping up on the report could shift more targets to Downs and Keenan Allen on Sunday against the Titans.
  • IND Wide Receiver #2
    The good news is that it looks like Downs is trending towards getting off the injury report on Friday. The bad news is that it’s hard to make much more than a WR3 case for the receiver given how bogged down Indianapolis’ passing offense looks at the moment.

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    Eagles waived CB Jakorian Bennett.

    Bennett was acquired by the Eagles in a swap with the Raiders before the start of last season. The 26-year-old played 98 defensive snaps in two seasons for Philly, spending all of the 2026 season on injured reserve with a knee injury. The Eagles now waive Bennett from injured reserve.
  • DEN Wide Receiver #13
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    The Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson said “indications point to Broncos WR Pat Bryant returning to practice this week.”

    Bryant has missed the Broncos’ last four games after being placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. The 23-year-old receiver is eligible to return whenever the Broncos deem him ready to do so, and his practicing this week would mean the team has opened his 21-day return window. Bryant has caught nine passes for 133 yards and one touchdown and was third among Broncos receivers in routes run (91) through the first four weeks of the season. He could make for an interesting stash in deeper leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn’t rush to put him in their lineups whenever he does return.
  • JAC Wide Receiver #7
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    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports Brian Thomas Jr. “has been the area of interest for a lot of other teams.”

    Thomas is once again the subject of trade talks as next week’s trade deadline rapidly approaches. The 24-year-old receiver, who broke out for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, has earned just 22 targets through seven games this season and has a 10-117-2 line. With so many wide receiver-needy teams out there, it’s hard to imagine the Jaguars holding Thomas, who has become more of an afterthought in the offense, but they’ve resisted trading him over the last year despite multiple teams showing interest.
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    Saints released K Daniel Carlson.

    Carlson has converted 8-of-12 field goals this season and is 16-for-18 on PATs. The veteran kicker who is known for his big leg has seen all four of his misses come on distances of 50-plus yards, but that was more than enough for the Saints to look in a different direction. Practice squad kicker Charlie Smyth, who converted 12 of his 16 field goal attempts for the Saints last season has a chance to be the next man up when the Saints take on the Browns in Week 9.
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    Ravens placed K Tyler Loop (groin) on injured reserve.

    Loop will be sidelined for at least the next four weeks after suffering a right groin injury in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. The second-year kicker competed for the starting kicker job in camp and has struggled during parts of this season. He has converted on 13 of his 17 field goal attempts this year, with his four misses all coming from inside 50 yards. Veteran Jake Moody is set to take over in Loop’s absence when the Ravens face the Jaguars on Thursday night. Loop will be eligible to return in Week 14 when the Ravens play host to the Buccaneers.
  • NYG Cornerback #20
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    Giants signed CB Greg Newsome to a three-year, $46 million contract extension.

    Newsome signed a one-year $8 million contract with the Giants this offseason and is now being rewarded for his strong play during the first half of this season. The 26-year-old corner has allowed just 174 receiving yards on 26 targets this season, per PFF, earning a coverage grade of 66.1. He has been one of the league’s better outside corners this season and will now be under contract with the Giants through the 2029 season.
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    Bills released DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

    Shortly after being reinstated from suspension for a spitting incident in Week 6 against the Raiders, Gardner-Johnson is now in search of a new home. The 28-year-old safety started all six games he appeared in for the Bills this season, earning a PFF defensive grade of 55.2 while allowing 11 receptions for 132 yards and a touchdown on 15 targets. Gardner-Johnson has played for four different teams since 2024 and is now free to sign with anyone willing to take on the 28-year-old vet.
  • WAS Defensive Tackle #99
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    Commanders placed DT Javon Kinlaw (knee) on injured reserve.

    Kinlaw was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Eagles and will now miss at least the next four games after landing on IR. Kinlaw has tallied 13 tackles and one sack for the Commanders this season and will be eligible to return in Week 13 when the Commanders take on the Titans.
  • WAS Running Back #26
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    Commanders placed RB Jeremy McNichols (foot) on injured reserve.

    McNichols is believed to have suffered a severe foot injury in Sunday night’s win over the Eagles. While he is still seeking additional opinions, it was reported on Monday that he is expected to miss multiple months, which could mean this is a season-ender. McNichols has spent the last three seasons with the Commanders, contributing primarily on special teams while also mixing in for an occasional offensive play.
  • IND Defensive Tackle #95
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    Colts signed DT Adetomiwa Adebawore to a two-year, $35 million contract extension.

    Adebawore, 25, is in the midst of a breakout season for the Colts. After setting career highs in tackles (36), TFLs (5), and sacks (4.0) last season, the fourth-year pro has already tallied four sacks and four TFLs in his first eight games of this season. While the Colts are in the middle of a rebuild, the decision to sign Adebawore to an extension means he’s one of the players they hope to build around in the years ahead. He is now under contract through the 2028 season.