Stampede Blue
Colts starting slot wideout Josh Downs is expected to miss Sunday’s game—although he avoided serious injury.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Indianapolis Colts starting slot wideout Josh Downs is currently considered ‘week-to-week’ and remains a ‘longshot’ to play on Sunday against the New England Patriots:
Early in the 4th quarter, Downs suffered the injury on a ‘jet sweep’ type wide receiver handoff, as he landed awkwardly on his shoulder when tackled by a Detroit Lions defender.
While Downs did return later in the game, he obviously was ‘gutting it out’ and playing through the shoulder injury—which the swelling and pain may have set in more post-game.
The Colts 2nd-year slot wideout has 53 receptions for 594 receiving yards (11.2 ypr. avg.) and 4 touchdowns receptions during 10 games (6 starts) in the 2024 campaign.
His absence will be a critical one for the Colts receiving corps and starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, as Downs remains a key sure-handed safety valve across the middle of the field—particularly on short to intermediate pass routes.
If there’s some silver lining (*of course, in addition to Downs avoiding significant injury), it could be increased playing time for rookie 2nd round pick AD Mitchell—whether on the inside or outside, who’s continued to flash more and more in recent weeks and really should be the recipient of extra playing time (especially with the Colts’ playoff hopes seemingly slipping away and the collective need to play their younger players for their development).
However, make no mistake about, even in the short-term, Downs will be missed out there.
