By R.L. Bynum
Josh Downs got off to a fast start Sunday on his way to a career-best day in his Indianapolis Colts’ tough 39–38 home loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Downs had 99 yards in receptions by halftime and finished with a team-high five catches on a team-high six targets for a career-high 125 yards to produce a whopping 23.5 fantasy points. His reception total was among the top three in the league Sunday.
Five receptions gave him 33 for the season, a Colts rookie record for the first seven games, surpassing the 30 by Austin Collie in 2009 and 25 from Marvin Harrison in 1996. His 401 yards are second only to Bill Brooks (1986) in Colts history through seven games. Downs is on pace to finish with nearly 1,000 yards.
Downs’ reception total was the fifth-highest in the league this weekend, topped by the 179 yards from Kansas City’s Travis Kelce.
The highlight came on the Colts’ first offensive series when a wide-open Downs caught a pass along the right sideline 18 yards downfield from quarterback Gardner Minshew and sped the last 41 yards to the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown pass, the longest reception of his career. He did a little shimmy to celebrate his second touchdown in as many weeks.
Downs also had receptions of 34 yards in the second quarter and 20 yards in the third quarter.
“Josh kind of got thrown into the fire pretty early as a rookie,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter told the Terre Haute Tribune-Star last week. “He’s out there for quite a few snaps almost every game this year. He’s put in a lot of different situations. We ask a lot of him as a route runner, give him some freedom to operate a little bit on some routes. For a young guy, you don’t always do that.
“You got to be maybe careful doing that too much,” Cooter said. “Josh is certainly into it when we talk about routes or talk about how we think a DB might play or what’s the best way to get open. Josh is really into those notes and thinking about it himself.”
It was another tough day for Washington’s Sam Howell in the Commanders’ 14–7 road loss as the New York Giants sacked him six times to push his season total to 40. What makes it worse is that the Giants’ defense matched its season total coming into the game with five first-half sacks.
Washington right tackle Andrew Wylie said “it’s on us” and that he’s tired of seeing Howell go down.
Howell is on pace to shatter by 21 the NFL sack record that David Carr set in the Houston Texans’ inaugural season in 2002 with 76. Howell and Carr are the only quarterbacks in NFL history to be sacked four times in the first seven games. Former Duke quarterback Daniel Jones of the New York Giants has taken the second-most sacks this season with 28.
Howell was 22 of 42 (a career-low 52.4 completion percentage) for 249 yards, no touchdowns and an interception for a 60.5 passer rating, the lowest since he had a 41.5 in a 37–3 Week 3 loss to the Buffalo Bills. It was the third time in four games that Howell has attempted more than 40 passes (41 against the Eagles on Oct. 1 and 51 against the Bears on Oct. 5).
Washington’s Dyami Brown wasn’t targeted with any passes but recovered a Giants fumble on a punt return. He played 11 offensive snaps and 15 special-teams snaps.
Marcus McKethan started at left guard for the Giants and played all 68 offensive snaps, but the news isn’t good for offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu, who suffered a toe injury last weekend and could be out for the season.
Javonte Williams ran 15 times for 82 yards, both season-highs, (including a 21-yard run) and caught three passes for 14 yards in Denver’s 19–14 home victory over Green Bay. He put up 12.6 fantasy points.
Linebacker Cole Holcomb had three tackles, five assists and a tackle for a loss in Pittsburgh’s 24–17 road win over the Los Angeles Rams. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky didn’t play.
Left guard James Hurst was inactive for the New Orleans Saints’ 31–24 Thursday home loss to Jacksonville after suffering an ankle injury in the previous game.
It was another quiet day for wide receiver Mack Hollins in Atlanta’s 16–13 win at Tampa Bay as he played 23 offensive snaps and 14 special-teams snaps. He wasn’t targeted for any passes and was called for offensive holding. Mike Hughes returned one punt for nine yards for the Falcons, playing four special-teams snaps.
In Detroit’s 36–6 loss at Baltimore, Lions wide receiver Antoine Green had no catches on one target in 33 offensive snaps, and only two targets and one catch for the season.
Three teams with Tar Heels on the roster had the weekend off: the New York Jets (Michael Carter and Chazz Surratt), the Dallas Cowboys (Asim Richards) and the Houston Texans (M.J. Stewart Jr.)
Ty Chandler had one catch for 12 yards on one target in Minnesota’s 22–17 Monday night home win over San Francisco. He caught a second pass for nine yards that was nullified because of a Vikings penalty.
Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–0, 195 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Second-string WR behind Terry McLaurin
14–7 loss at New York Giants — 1 fumble recovery after Giants fumbled a punt return; was targeted on one pass on a play that a Giants penalty nullified; 11 offensive snaps (16%), 15 special-teams snaps (52%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 1 start; 6 catches, 87 yards (35 longest), 14.5 average
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Michael Carter, New York Jets running back
Age 24 | 5–8, 201 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Third-string RB behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook
The Jets were off this weekend
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 carries, 36 yards (9 longest), 6.2 average; 9 catches, 44 yards (10 longest), 4.9 average
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, CBS
Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings running back
Age 25 | 5–11, 204 | second NFL season | UNC 2021
Roster situation — Second-string RB behind Alexander Mattison
22–17 Monday win vs. San Francisco — 1 catch on 1 target, 12 yards (had a 9-yard reception nullified by a Vikings penalty); 3 offensive snaps (4%), 8 special-teams snaps (36%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 8 carries, 42 yards (15 longest), 5.2 average; 5 catches, 43 yards (18 longest), 8.6 average; 2 kickoff returns, 55 yards (33 longest)
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Green Bay, Fox
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Age 22 | 5–9, 171 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2020–22
Roster situation — Starting wide receiver ahead of Isaiah McKenzie
39–38 loss vs. Cleveland — Started; 5 catches on 6 targets, 125 yards (59 longest), 1 TD; 23.5 fantasy points; 50 offensive snaps (71%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts; 33 catches, 401 yards (59 longest), 2 TDs, 7 receptions of at least 20 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New Orleans, Fox
Joshua Ezeudu, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 24 | 6–4, 308 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as second-string left tackle behind Andrew Thomas
14–7 win vs. Washington — Wasn’t active because of a toe injury suffered a week earlier and may miss the rest of the season
Season statistics — 6 games, 5 starts; 265 offensive snaps and 15 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Antoine Green, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Age 23 | 6–2, 199 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string wide receiver behind Marvin Jones Jr.
38–6 loss at Baltimore — 0 catches on 1 target; 33 offensive snaps (44%), 11 special-teams snaps (52%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 1 catch, 2 targets, 2 yards
Up next — 8:15 Monday vs. Las Vegas, ABC, ESPN
Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker
Age 26 | 6–1, 240 | fifth NFL season | UNC 2015–18
Roster situation — Listed, along with Kwon Alexander, as starting left inside linebacker
24–17 win at Los Angeles Rams — Started; 3 tackles, 5 assists, 1 tackle for a loss; 56 defensive snaps (82%), 2 special-teams snaps (8%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 6 starts; 19 tackles, 17 assists, 4 tackles for losses, 2 forced fumbles
Up next — 4:05 Sunday vs. Jacksonville, CBS
Mack Hollins, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Age 30 | 6–4, 221 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2013–16
Roster situation — Listed as starting wide receiver ahead of KhaDarel Hodge
16–13 win at Tampa Bay — No statistics; called for offensive holding; 23 offensive snaps (35%), 14 special-teams snaps (67%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 2 starts; 12 catches, 23 targets, 184 yards (45 longest), 2 catches of at least 20 yards, 1 catch of at least 40 yards
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders quarterback
Age 23 | 6–1, 220 | second NFL season | UNC 2019–21
Roster situation — Starting QB ahead of Jacoby Brissett
14–7 loss at New York Giants — Started; 22 of 42, 249 yards (31 longest), 0 TDs, 1 INT, 60.5 passer rating; 6 sacks (52 yards); 2 carries, 15 yards (11 longest); 10.46 fantasy points; 69 offensive snaps (100%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 7 starts; 167 of 256, 65.2%, 1,749 yards, 9 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, 40 sacks, 20 completions of at least 20 yards, 85.2 passer rating; 21 carries, 119 yards (20 longest), 1 touchdown
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Philadelphia, Fox
Mike Hughes, Atlanta Falcons cornerback
Age 26 | 5–10, 191 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2015
Roster situation — Second string cornerback behind A.J. Terrell
16–13 win at Tampa Bay — 1 punt return, 9 yards; 4 special-teams snaps (5%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 4 tackles, 2 assists, 10 punt returns, 61 yards (16 longest), 6 fair catches; 3 kickoff returns, 46 yards (19 longest), 15.3 average
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Tennessee, CBS
James Hurst, New Orleans Saints offensive lineman
Age 31 | 6–5, 310 | 10th NFL season | UNC 2010–13
Roster situation — Listed as starting left guard ahead of Andrus Peat
31–24 Thursday loss vs. Jacksonville — Inactive with an ankle injury
Season statistics — 5 games, 5 starts; 367 offensive snaps, 9 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at Indianapolis, Fox
Marcus McKethan, New York Giants offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–7, 335 | second NFL season | UNC 2018–21
Roster situation — Listed as starting right guard ahead of Mark Glowinski
14–10 win vs. Washington — Started at left guard; 68 offensive snaps (100%), 3 special-teams snaps (10%)
Season statistics — 7 games, 5 starts; 376 offensive snaps, 17 special-teams snaps
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. New York Jets, CBS
Asim Richards, Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman
Age 23 | 6–4, 307 | rookie NFL season | UNC 2019–22
Roster situation — Second-string left guard behind Tyler Smith
Dallas was off this weekend
Season statistics — 3 games; 21 offensive snaps, 17 special-teams
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday vs. Los Angeles Rams, Fox
M.J. Stewart Jr., Houston Texans safety
Age 28 | 5–11, 200 | sixth NFL season | UNC 2014–17
Roster situation — Second-string safety behind Jimmie Ward
The Texans had the weekend off
Season statistics — 5 games, 1 start, 11 tackles, 7 assists, 2 forced fumbles
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, at Carolina, Fox
Chazz Surratt, New York Jets linebacker
Age 26 | 6–2, 233 | third NFL season | UNC 2017–20
Roster situation — Second-string linebacker behind Quincy Williams
The Jets were off this weekend
Season statistics — 6 games, no statistics
Up next — 1 p.m. Sunday at New York Giants, CBS
Mitchell Trubisky, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Age 29 | 6–2, 220 | seventh NFL season | UNC 2014–16
Roster situation — Second-string QB behind Kenny Pickett
24–17 win at Los Angeles Rams — Didn’t play
Season statistics — 1 game, 3 of 5, 18 yards, 3.6 average, 0 TDs, 0 INTs, 67.1 passer rating
Up next — 4:05 Sunday vs. Jacksonville, CBS
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos running back
Age 23 | 5–10, 220 | third NFL season | UNC 2018–20
Roster situation — Starting running back ahead of Samaje Perine
19–17 win vs. Green Bay — Started; 15 carries, 82 yards (21 longest); 3 catches on 4 targets for 14 yards (7 longest); 12.6 fantasy points; 31 offensive snaps (54%)
Season statistics — 6 games, 5 starts; 63 carries, 272 yards (21 longest), 4.3 average; 14 catches, 18 targets, 65 yards (17 longest); 2-point conversion run
Up next — 4:25 Sunday vs. Kansas City, CBS
On PUP list
Houston left tackle Charlie Heck (undisclosed injury)
On practice squad
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Andre Smith (has played 1 game and recorded 1 tackle)
New York Giants linebacker Tomon Fox
Waived during training camp
Fullback Jake Bargas by New Orleans
Defensive back Myles Dorn by Miami
Cornerback Kyler McMichael by Arizona
Wide receiver Dazz Newsome by San Francisco
Nose tackle Raymond Vohasek by Jacksonville
Other free agents
Aaron Crawford, defensive tackle — Baltimore released him in training camp before last season; the New York Giants signed him Nov. 8 but released him the next day.
Jalen Dalton, defensive tackle — Atlanta waived him on June 7 (he had 8 tackles, 5 assists in 7 games for the Falcons last season), Carolina claimed him June 8 but waived him June 12 with a failed physical designation.
Jeremiah Gemmel, linebacker — San Francisco released him early last season, then Denver signed and later released him.
Bug Howard, tight end — Tampa Bay released him during training camp last season on an injury settlement. He signed with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars on Feb. 8 but they put him on the inactive list on March 19.
Austin Proehl, wide receiver — The New York Giants released him last season during training camp. He played this spring for the XFL’s St. Louis BattleHawks. In nine games, he caught 25 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown.
Robert Quinn, defensive tackle — His contract expired after finishing last season with Philadelphia. The 33-year-old veteran played 13 games, with seven starts, eight tackles (1 for a loss), two assists and one sack.
Jordan Tucker, defensive tackle — Pittsburgh released him during 2022 training camp. He signed with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in the offseason and didn’t make the roster in preseason but is back on their roster.
Antonio Williams, running back — He was briefly on the New York Giants’ practice squad last season but was released on Oct. 5. He signed on Feb. 13 with the CFL’s BC Lions, who released him on June 27.
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