The Indianapolis Colts have made the decision to bench their former 4th overall pick and hand the keys over to former Super Bowl winner Joe Flacco.
Life in the NFL comes at you about as fast as a Will Anderson sack, just ask Anthony Richardson. Anderson and Richardson are inextricably tied as the ladder was drafted one pick before the former in the 2023 draft. More recently Anderson was the Texans top defensive player in a 23-20 win over the Colts, while Richardson’s continued struggles at QB ultimately caused the coaches to bench him.
Whether Richardson’s struggles classify as a textbook example of the Sophomore Slump or an indicator of his ability to quarterback at the NFL level has been heavily debated the past 8 weeks. By the numbers, Richardson is QB 30 or worse in nearly all QB throwing stats: Yards/game, touchdowns, completion percent, throwing yards (#29 actually)…the list goes on. He is top 12 in interceptions though, as well as all QB rushing metrics. Meanwhile Flacco’s lowest completion percentage this season (57.9 week 6 vs Tennessee) is higher than Richardson’s highest in a full game this year (50% week 2 vs Green Bay).
Aside from the metrics, the final straw may have come in an odd moment in the 3rd quarter week 8 in which Richardson took himself out of the game for a play. When asked if it was injury related he cited being tired and needing a breather. Perhaps Shane Steichen is getting tired of the underperformance?
Fantasy wise through the first 8 weeks Flacco has favored Josh Downs and Michael Pittman. Downs has 30 targets/24 catches/217 yards in 3 weeks with Flacco vs 17/8/134 in 3 with Richardson. Michael Pittman had 22 targets/14 catches /185 yards in 3 weeks with Flacco vs 31/15/167 in 5 games with Richardson. Alec Pierce enjoyed his time with Richardson more, while Jonathan Taylor and Adoni Mitchell were neutral.
Lukasz Stec, @Lukasz_FF01
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been one of...
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) was ...
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) said ...
Josh Downs ruled out for week 1.
Colts Wide receiver Josh Downs is still recovering from the high ankle sprain he suffered during a collision with teammate Nick Cross in training camp. Earlier in the week Downs said he thought he could play, but the team decided it best to sit him for one more week.
Josh Downs was a long shot to play this week and if he did you should not be starting him based on the historical data on the timeline for recovery for a high ankle sprain, keep him stashed on your bench as a flex upside play if he is able to return to action next week or the week after. Adonai Mitchell presents a sneaky upside option in a game that has one of the highest projected point totals on the week.
Josh Downs is out of the walking boot, status for week 1 still uncertain.
Josh Downs has been making strides in his recovery from a high ankle sprain suffered during a training camp practice. Downs has been out since being hit by teammate Nick Cross early during camp. Downs, the Colts 2nd year starting slot receiver is reportedly no longer using a scooter, walking fairly well and has shed his walking boot. Colts head coach Shane Steichen declined to offer a timeline when presented with the question.
Downs and quarterback Anthony Richardson have displayed chemistry during their brief periods on the field together. Downs may be able to take the field week 1, but will not be in your lineup unless you are a in very deep league. Practice reports and his level of participation will provide much needed insight on the progress of his recovery.
Josh Downs suffered a high ankle sprain during Colts 7 on 7 practice.
Downs is expected to be out for roughly a month. These injuries can be tricky to predict, so his timeframe isn’t exact, and you can expect him to not be 100% if he does try and push to play as soon as possible. The Colts will now continue training for the regular season without their projected number two target earner behind Michael Pittman.
Fantasy managers can expect Downs’ ADP to drop, and for rookie Adonai Mitchell to be propelled into a more prominent role than expected if Downs were healthy. The Colts have rookie Anthony Gould listed as the backup slot receiver behind Downs, who immediately stepped up in practice and earned the praise of Head Coach Shane Steichen afterwards. Keep an eye on Gould as a potential deep sleeper in the early part of the season while Downs recovers. The Colts still project to have a fantasy friendly offense, and this news makes all their other options slightly more attractive for 2024.
Ashton Dulin, who may also gain more reps with Downs sidelined, is another deep sleeper to consider.
