Colts WR Josh Downs tackled in practice, injures ankle
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Shane Steichen laments injury to Josh Downs: We have to stay off the ground (1:07)
Colts coach Shane Steichen shares an update on the ankle injury Josh Downs suffered after a tackle in practice. (1:07)
Stephen Holder, ESPNAug 7, 2024, 12:20 PM ET
- Stephen joined ESPN in 2022, covering the Indianapolis Colts and NFL at large. Stephen finished first place in column writing in the 2015 Indiana Associated Press Media Editors competition, and he is a previous top-10 winner in explanatory journalism in the Associated Press Sports Editors national contest. He has chronicled the NFL since 2005, covering the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2005-2013 and the Colts since 2013. He has previously worked for the Miami Herald, Tampa Bay Times, Indianapolis Star and The Athletic.
WESTFIELD, Ind. — Indianapolis Colts starting wide receiver Josh Downs left practice with an ankle injury Wednesday morning, needing the assistance of two team staffers to leave the field before being carried on a cart to the locker room.
The Colts did not disclose specific information about the injury, but a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that Downs suffered a high ankle sprain.
Downs, entering his second NFL season, is a critical member of the Colts’ offense after catching 68 passes for 771 yards last season — second on the team in both categories.
Adding to the frustration of the injury was the fact that it might have been avoidable. Downs was tackled from behind on the play by safety Nick Cross as Downs was going out of bounds after catching a short pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson. Further, the play came in a 7-on-7 period where physicality is generally discouraged.
Coach Shane Steichen was critical of Cross’ tackle, saying, “We’ve got to be smart. We’re competing like crazy but we’ve got to stay off the ground and we can’t go down, bottom line.”
Steichen reprimanded Cross on the field following the play, even while Downs was still being attended to.
Speaking to reporters after practice, Cross said, “We’re competing, playing football. Josh is my guy. I love him to death.”
If Downs is out for an extended period, it raises the stakes in the battle for the Colts’ No. 3 wide receiver spot behind No. 1 Michael Pittman Jr. and Downs at No. 2.
Veteran Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell have been alternating with the starting offense, with coaches waiting for one to separate. Both have shown significant progress in recent practices, and coaches expect both will play a role in the offense.