Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Colts WR Josh Downs (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Panthers. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and limited in practice on Friday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said this morning that Downs will not be at 100%. There’s elevated risk here, but the rookie is available if you were waiting on him.

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 TE Kylen Granson (concussion) put in a full week of practice and isn’t listed on the final Week 9 injury report. He should be back as Indianapolis’ lead TE in Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers. Granson has averaged 4.3 targets, 2.7 catches, and 28 yards per game this season.

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.

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.

Colts TE Kylen Granson (concussion) put in a full practice on Wednesday. He's on track to return for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers. Granson has been Indianapolis' lead TE when healthy this season, but he's scored as a top-12 PPR TE in just one of six outings. Granson would be a desperation Week 9 fantasy play.

Colts TE Kylen Granson (concussion) is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Saints. That leaves Andrew Ogletree as Indianapolis’ likely lead TE, but he’s not a realistic fantasy option.

Colts TE Kylen Granson (concussion) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice. He's a long shot to be cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Saints. Andrew Ogletree led Colts TEs in pass routes last week but didn't draw a target.

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.

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.

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.

Colts TE Kylen Granson (concussion) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. He's operated as the Colts' lead TE this season, registering a 62% route rate and 11.7% target share. Granson's absence leaves the Colts with TEs Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory, and Mo-Alie Cox. Avoid the situation in Week 7 fantasy lineups.

Colts WR Alec Pierce (shoulder) did not practice on Wednesday. Although a full-time player, Pierce has totaled just 11 catches on 22 targets through six games, so his absence vs. the Browns this weekend wouldn't have a major fantasy impact.

Colts TE Kylen Granson (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. He's unlikely to be cleared in time for Sunday's game vs. the Browns. Granson leads Colts TEs in route rate (62%) and targets (26). His absence would free up work for TEs Andrew Ogletree, Will Mallory, and Mo-Alie Cox. But none of those guys would be bankable fantasy plays.