JoshDowns

News: 1 day agoDowns (ankle) was a full practice participant Wednesday and appears set to suit up Sunday versus Chicago.

Spin: Downs said earlier Wednesday that he intends to make his 2024 debut versus the Bears, and his ability to handle a full allotment of practice reps to begin Week 3 prep seemingly confirms as much. The 2023 third-round pick had been sidelined due to a high-ankle sprain since early August, but he was close to returning Week 2. Now healthy, Downs will mix in with Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell in a Colts wide receiver corps led by Michael Pittman.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: In a modern NFL rife with three-receiver sets, being deemed a slot maven isn't nearly as limiting as it once was. Downs, for instance, enters his second season building on a strong rookie showing that included finishing seventh in total fantasy points among first-year receivers in what was a strong class for the position. Designation as a slot option doesn't disqualify Downs' potential to help fantasy managers at times in 2024, but it could signal a less exciting upper-end of outcomes. Three-quarters of his routes came from a slot alignment as a rookie, and it's likely we see similar deployment for the smaller receiver in his second campaign. With a limited ceiling and likely to miss a game or two early on due to injury, Downs can be targeted in the later rounds of drafts.