Colts WR Josh Downs helped off field with apparent ankle injury

The Indianapolis Colts are well into training camp and preparing for their first preseason game of the year on Sunday against Denver. Unfortunately, there was an unfortunate injury that struck on Wednesday morning during practice. Wide receiver Josh Downs went down with an apparent ankle injury, having to be helped off the field.

“Colts WR Josh Downs, who’s had a great camp, was just tackled to the ground and came up with an apparent ankle injury,” Stephen Holder of ESPN said via X. “Had to [be] helped off the field and did not put weight on the lower leg. Not great.”

Holder opined that the injury should have never occurred since the Colts were running a 7-on-7 drill. Usually, there is no tackling in such periods but Downs was tackled to the ground by a teammate.

“The reality is it should have never happened,” Holder said. “It was a 7 on 7 period and safety Nick Cross took Downs all the way to the ground.”

Downs is entering his second NFL season and was a breakout rookie for the Colts in 2023. Being a product of the North Carolina Tar Heels, Downs caught 68 passes on nearly 100 targets. He subsequently went for 771 yards, good enough for second on the team.

If there was going to be a goal for 2024, it would be to get the touchdown numbers up. Downs caught just two during his rookie season, coming in back-to-back weeks in October.

Most of this work was done with Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Downs’ fellow rookie Anthony Richardson played in just four games before being sidelined with an injury for the rest of the season. A veteran QB such as Minshew was able to keep the Colts afloat and compete for a playoff spot — even if they fell just short.

There are quite a few wide receivers in Indianapolis. Michael Pittman Jr. just signed a contract extension this offseason, remaining with the franchise for three seasons. Adonai Mitchell was drafted out of Texas as well, being one of the more exciting rookie players. Everyone was hoping Downs would grow in his second year and become an even better player.

Now, there is an injury for him to deal with. Nothing has been made official but just from those at practice viewing the incident, not the best news. Head coach Shane Steichen will surely have news on his wide receiver in the near future.