Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Colts WR Josh Downs (knee) is “tracking to play” vs. the Panthers today, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Downs was added to the injury report on Thursday and then limited in Friday's practice. "He still wants to see how it feels pre-game, and he’s not 100 percent, but he wants and intends to play," Schefter adds. Downs will carry elevated risk in Week 9 fantasy lineups, assuming he plays.

The Colts have downgraded LB Zaire Franklin to doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers for the knee injury that kept him out of practice all week. That should leave Shaquille Leonard and E.J. Speed as the top two LBs for Indy in this game. Check our Week 9 LB rankings to see how high each has risen.

The Colts have ruled CB JuJu Brents (quad) out for Sunday's game against the Panthers. It'll be the second straight game he has missed. Undrafted rookie Tony Brown took his spot in the lineup, joining CB Jaylon Jones and slot CB Kenny Moore. Moore should be the only one in starter consideration for most IDP leagues.

Colts LB Zaire Franklin missed his third straight practice Friday with a knee injury. Mike Chappell of Fox 59 in Indianapolis reports that Franklin will be a game-time decision. Unfortunately, that game carries a 4:05 p.m. ET kickoff. So we might not know Franklin's status until after the first set of Sunday games has begun. On top of that, Franklin figures to carry some re-injury risk even if active. It'll be scary to sit fantasy's No. 2 scoring LB (in most formats) for anyone if he's active. But we're moving Franklin down the Week 9 LB rankings for those risk factors. E.J. Speed would likely see full or near-full playing time if Franklin goes inactive.

Colts WR Josh Downs (knee) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Panthers. He was added to the injury report on Thursday but was at least able to get in a limited practice on Friday. We’ll look for further updates on Downs’ status. Colts-Panthers doesn’t kick off until 4:05 pm ET on Sunday.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final Week 9 injury report. He’ll start Sunday’s game vs. the Raiders. Jones won’t have TE Darren Waller (hamstring) but might get starting OTs Evan Neal and Andrew Thomas back. Both guys are listed as questionable. Jones is still only in play in 2-QB and superflex leagues.

Colts LB Zaire Franklin missed his second Thursday with a knee injury he sustained in Sunday's loss to the Saints. He returned quickly, though, and missed just two of Indy's defensive snaps for the game. That makes his practice absences a bit surprising. Friday should tell us whether they were more maintenance days of if Franklin is in danger of missing Sunday's clash with the Panthers. E.J. Speed would likely pick up more playing time if Zaire Franklin can't go and makes sense as a stash right now in deeper IDP leagues.

Colts WR Josh Downs was added to Thursday's injury report with a knee and was limited in practice. That likely means that Downs was injured in practice today. We'll look for further updates on his status and get Indianapolis' final injury report tomorrow.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) confirmed on Tuesday that's he's been medically cleared and plans to play vs. the Raiders this weekend. "Barring any setbacks this week, I'll be ready to go," Jones said. His return is well-timed with QB Tyrod Taylor sidelined with his rib injury. Jones is still only in play in 2-QB and superflex leagues.

Giants QB Daniel Jones has been cleared for contact following his neck injury, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. That makes Jones likely to return for the team's Week 9 visit to the Raiders. Jones reportedly gained clearance Sunday, the same day fill-in QB Tyrod Taylor went down with a rib injury. We'll watch for further updates on the situation throughout the week. Here's hoping you're in good enough shape at QB that you don't need to start any Giant in Week 9.

Update: HC Brian Daboll told reporters Monday that he expects Jones to practice Wednesday.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's game vs. the Jets. He remained limited in practice all week but hasn't been cleared for contact. QB Tyrod Taylor gets the start again this weekend. He's played reasonably well the past two weeks, completing 65% of his passes at 7.4 yards per attempt with two TDs and 0 INTs. Taylor isn't a recommended fantasy play against a tough Jets defense, but he's not a significant downgrade for guys like RB Saquon Barkley and TE Darren Waller.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) still hasn't been cleared for contact and will be limited in Wednesday's practice, HC Brian Daboll said. Daboll also confirmed that Jones remains the starter, despite QB Tyrod Taylor's relatively solid play the past two weeks. We'll see if Jones can get cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Jets.

Colts WR Michael Pittman caught a mid-range pass from Gardner Minshew in the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Browns, broke two tackles and took it for a 75-yard go-ahead TD. And thank goodness he did, because Pittman only had one other catch among 5 total targets. That did still account for 21.7% of Minshew's total pass attempts in a game that saw him throw just 23 times. Throw in a matchup with what had been the league's toughest defense coming into the game, and there's nothing to worry about with Pittman's role. Next week holds another non-easy matchup with the Saints.

Colts WR Josh Downs racked up 125 yards and a TD on 5 receptions in Sunday's loss to the Browns. Most of his production came via a 59-yard catch-and-run TD in the first quarter. But Downs also drew a team-high 6 targets, 26.1% of QB Gardner Minshew's total pass attempts. This was Downs' third straight game with at least 5 receptions and fourth such game among the past five. He'll be at least in the WR4 mix going forward.

Colts RB Jonathan Taylor matched Zack Moss at 18 carries apiece in Sunday's loss to the Browns. Taylor turned his into 75 yards (4.2 per rush) and a TD, while Moss went for 57 yards (3.2). Taylor also tallied 3 receptions for 45 yards on 4 targets, while Moss posted just a 1-5 receiving line on 2 targets. Taylor's performance looks like another big step toward making him someone we can start weekly in fantasy.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Commanders. He put in three limited practices this week but still hasn’t been cleared for contact. QB Tyrod Taylor gets another start today.

Colts WR Alec Pierce (shoulder) is active for today’s game vs. the Browns. He’s averaging just 3.7 targets, 1.8 catches, and 25 yards per game so far this season.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) is not expected to play vs. the Commanders on Sunday, according to NFL Network. Jones was limited in practice all week but still hasn't been cleared for contact. He's made "positive strides," per NFL Network, and seemingly has a good chance to be back for Week 8. We've been projecting QB Tyrod Taylor to start vs. Washington all week.

Colts WR Alec Pierce (shoulder) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Browns. He got in a full practice on Friday, so he should play. But Pierce is not a viable fantasy play against Cleveland’s top-ranked WR defense.

Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) is listed as questionable for this weekend's game vs. the Commanders. He was limited in practice all week, but HC Brian Daboll said Friday morning that Jones still hadn't been cleared for contact. We'll keep you updated on his status, but we're currently projecting QB Tyrod Taylor to start Sunday's game.