RADIO
Alec Pierce Worth Stashing as Injured Reserve Stint Continues
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) remains a very intriguing player to stash in fantasy football, despite his current status on injured reserve. It was previously reported that Pierce is no longer wearing a cast, but he still isn't close to returning. With that being said, there's still an opportunity for managers to make some strategic roster moves, especially in leagues with IR spots. Pierce had four catches for 61 yards in his only game with a snap share higher than 26%. Evidently, availability has been his biggest flaw this year, but if he can return from IR midseason and stay on the field, his big-play upside will help him re-establish himself as a low-end WR2 in PPR leagues. Upon his return, Pierce will look to build on his 2025 season, during which he finished as the overall WR28 in scoring. Given that managers have already started dropping him to waivers out of impatience, there's now a glaring opportunity for savvy managers to add him and build an even stronger roster before he gets activated.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josh Downs Failing to Capitalize During Teammate's Absence
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has failed to produce in back-to-back weeks. In the first three games this season, Downs had 14 receptions for 186 yards and 11 targets in Week 3, following wideout Alec Pierce's ankle injury. In Weeks 4 and 5, Downs caught just six of 10 targets for 63 yards, while tight end Tyler Warren and receivers Laquon Treadwell, Keenan Allen, and Ashton Dulin outproduced him. His usage has been solid, with Downs playing 80% of snaps and running 88% of routes. However, Daniel Jones's struggles have made Downs too hard to trust in fantasy lineups. Additionally, Pierce is eligible to return from injured reserve after Week 6. If he does, Downs would become a droppable player upon Pierce's return.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Darius Slayton Released by the Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have released veteran wide receiver Darius Slayton, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Slayton signed with the Colts after the team placed wideout Alec Pierce (ankle) on injured reserve and was expected to play a larger role in the offense. Slayton has not appeared in a game with the team this season, having suffered a knee injury in practice before last week's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last season, Slayton caught 37 of 63 targets for 538 yards and a touchdown in 14 games with the New York Giants. While it's unclear whether Slayton will sign with another team this season, the Colts will roll with Laquon Treadwell as their primary outside receiver in the coming weeks. This could also mean that Pierce is trending in the right direction and could return at some point this season.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Alec Pierce Out of his Cast, Might Not be Close to a Return
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is no longer wearing a cast on his left ankle/heel, but The Athletic's James Boyd said that he did not get the sense that Pierce is close to a return. The earliest he can return from Injured Reserve would be in Week 7 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. We will see if the big-play receiver can return to practice next week when he is eligible, but as of right now, fantasy managers should not be expecting Pierce to return immediately. The 26-year-old aggravated his heel/ankle injury in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was then placed on IR. Without Pierce in the fold, the Colts have leaned on Josh Downs and veteran Keenan Allen, although both pass-catchers are nursing injuries going into the Week 6 tilt at home against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons, so even though he might not be back for another couple of weeks, he is worth stashing in most fantasy leagues. He is rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Keenan Allen Misses Practice on Wednesday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is not practicing on Wednesday, according to Nathan Brown of The Indianapolis Star. Allen was limited in the first two practices last week with a groin injury but practiced in full on Friday and was active for the Week 5 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The 34-year-old veteran did not play in the Week 4 blowout win over the Washington Commanders in London due to his groin injury. In his return this past weekend, he caught five of his nine targets for 45 yards. It was his second straight game with nine targets after he caught six passes for a season-high 63 yards and his first touchdown of the year in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Houston Texans. After signing late in training camp with the Colts, the six-time Pro Bowler has 18 receptions on 29 targets for 145 yards and one touchdown through the first four games in 2026 in his 14th year in the NFL. Allen should be active this Sunday against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, where he will be a touchdown-dependent WR3/flex play.
Source: The Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Source: The Indianapolis Star - Nathan Brown
Keenan Allen has Flex PPR Value Heading into Week 6
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen has been a significant part of the offense over the last few weeks. On Sunday, Allen hauled in five of his nine targets for 45 yards in the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. This marked the second game in a row that Allen has seen nine targets. The Colts don't have many viable pass-catchers right now, so it appears Allen is going to continue getting a heavy target share. The veteran wideout heads into a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans in Week 6. Fantasy managers looking for a flex option in PPR leagues should consider adding Allen this week.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Keenan Allen Active for Week 5
Indianapolis Colts veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is officially active for Sunday's Week 5 tilt on the road against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 34-year-old Allen came into the weekend with a questionable tag, but there was always optimism that he would be able to suit up. With Alec Pierce (heel) still on Injured Reserve, the Colts have struggled for explosive plays downfield through the air. Allen is averaging only 7.7 yards per catch on his 13 receptions through three games in 2026, but he did have six catches on nine targets for a season-high 63 yards and his first touchdown of the year in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Houston Texans. Allen did not play in last week's blowout win over the Washington Commanders in London. Now that Allen is back in the fold for the Colts' offense, he should return to WR2 duties behind Josh Downs. Fantasy managers should treat Allen as more of a touchdown-dependent WR4/flex in his return against a Steelers defense that is allowing just over 200 yards passing per game so far in 2026.
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Keenan Allen Expected to Play Against Steelers in Week 5
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 5 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Allen was listed as questionable entering the weekend. He opened the practice week with two limited sessions, but once he upgraded to a full participant on Friday, it was clear that he was on track to suit up against the Steelers. Getting Allen back is a huge boost for the Colts' passing game, which relied on Ashton Dulin and Laquon Treadwell as its leading receivers last week. This week, Allen should step up as Daniel Jones' favorite target while Josh Downs enjoys a similarly productive week alongside him. Given that Allen had six catches, 63 yards, and one touchdown in his last game, he should be able to rank as a high-end WR3/flex going forward, despite facing a Steelers defense that has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2026.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Keenan Allen Has Opportunity if Cleared for Week 5
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers, although his return to a full practice Friday was encouraging after missing Week 4. Indianapolis is running short on receivers. Alec Pierce (heel) remains on injured reserve, Ashton Dulin (hamstring) has been ruled out, and Darius Slayton (knee) was downgraded to out Saturday. Allen was coming off his best game of the season before the absence, catching six of nine targets for 63 yards and a touchdown against Houston in Week 3. He still has just 100 receiving yards through three appearances, so there is some risk even if he's cleared to play. Pittsburgh will be without cornerback Jamel Dean (ankle) and safety DeShon Elliott (knee), while Jalen Ramsey (wrist) is questionable. The matchup and Indianapolis' receiving depth give Allen some appeal in deeper PPR leagues, but RotoBaller's WR50 ranking reflects the uncertainty. Fantasy managers should confirm his status before Sunday's kickoff.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Laquon Treadwell Carries Deep-League Flex Appeal For Week 5
The Indianapolis Colts will face the Pittsburgh Steelers' middling pass defense in Week 5, and WR Laquon Treadwell is set to start and play a large snap share in the game. Colts WR1 Alec Pierce (heel) and depth WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring) will both miss the game with injuries, and WR Keenan Allen (groin) is uncertain to play. Darius Slayton (knee) has also been ruled out. Treadwell was targeted six times in Week 4, catching five passes for 42 yards and leading the team in receiving. The matchup with the Steelers is just fine, as they allow just-below-average fantasy points per game to opposing wideouts. Treadwell has bounced around NFL teams since he was drafted in the first round, and probably doesn't have a ton of upside, but in deep leagues he can be a decent volume play. Colts QB Daniel Jones doesn't have many other options to throw it to due to there being so many injuries. Treat Treadwell as a WR4 and deep league flex option for Week 5 in fantasy football.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Darius Slayton Won't Play for Colts in Week 5
The Indianapolis Colts downgraded wide receiver Darius Slayton (knee) from questionable to out for their Week 5 contest on Sunday at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Slayton is dealing with a new knee injury, but he was able to practice on a limited basis on Friday. His next chance to make his Colts debut will come in Week 6 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Alec Pierce (heel) is on Injured Reserve, and veteran Keenan Allen (groin) is questionable to play this weekend, so Indy's receiving corps is thinned out behind Josh Downs. Laquon Treadwell and Deion Burks are the next men up in the Steel City in Week 5, so quarterback Daniel Jones will not be much of an upside play as a QB2 in two-QB superflex leagues against the Steelers. After being cut by the New York Giants, Slayton signed with the Colts on Sept. 21, but he has yet to play in a game with the team. The 29-year-old caught 37 passes for 538 yards and only one touchdown in 14 games in 2025 in his final season with the G-Men. The Colts' lack of WR depth is one of the reasons they have been mentioned as a potential suitor for Arizona Cardinals receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Source: Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs Has Upside In Week 5 Despite Disappointing Week 4
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been separating from defensive coverage very well this season. His problem has just been that he hasn't gotten the ball enough. Colts quarterback Daniel Jones hasn't been a productive passer, and it's dragged the whole offense down. Downs was only targeted four times in Week 4, but that could be simply an impossibly low number for Week 5, as Indy is dealing with yet more injuries to its already thin pass-catching corps. WR Ashton Dulin (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 5, and WR Keenan Allen (groin) is dealing with a groin strain and is questionable to play. It's possible that Jones continues to be stubborn and chooses to feed mass targets to WR Laquon Treadwell, but it would be unwise. Downs is a reliable target, but it's obvious now that Jones prefers to hit his bigger-bodied wideouts. If he decides he wants to get easy completions and move the chains, and perhaps even win the matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, Downs should bounce back.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Downs Needs a Bounce-Back in Week 5
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is hopeful that better days are ahead for him against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5. Downs was almost non-existent during last week's win over the Washington Commanders. He hauled in three of his four targets for 16 yards during the overseas victory. Before that game, Downs had posted back-to-back 70-plus yard performances. He'll draw a tough matchup against the Steelers secondary this weekend. It's hard to get excited about Downs as anything more than a flex option for this Week 5 road contest in Pittsburgh.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Keenan Allen Questionable Again With Groin Injury
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is questionable for Sunday's matchup with Pittsburgh, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Allen was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday after missing last week's win over Washington. He was also questionable heading into that game before the Colts downgraded him to out Saturday, so his status is worth keeping an eye on again this weekend. The veteran had his best performance of the season before getting hurt, catching six of nine targets for 63 yards and a touchdown against Houston in Week 3. He's totaled 13 receptions for 100 yards through three games. Indianapolis remains without Alec Pierce (heel), who is on injured reserve, and Ashton Dulin (hamstring) has also been ruled out Sunday. Allen could see a decent number of targets if he's able to return, although his lingering groin issue makes him a risky WR4/flex option against the Steelers.
Source: James Boyd
Source: James Boyd
Keenan Allen Practicing on Wednesday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is participating in practice on Wednesday, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Allen was not cleared to play in London in Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders due to a groin injury, but the 34-year-old veteran's return to practice on Wednesday suggests he is tracking towards a return in Week 5 to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. It is good news for a Colts offense that still has top receiver Alec Pierce (heel) on Injured Reserve. If Allen is cleared to play this Sunday in the Steel City, he should be quarterback Daniel Jones' WR2 behind Josh Downs. Allen caught only seven passes for 37 yards in the first two games of the 2026 season in his first year with the team, but he picked things up in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Houston Texans by catching six of nine targets for 63 yards and his first touchdown of the year. If Allen is active this weekend against the Steelers, he will be in play as a WR4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues. UPDATE: Allen was officially limited on Wednesday.
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
Source: The Athletic - James Boyd
