The Indianapolis Colts hope to take a significant offensive leap in 2024, but their ascension won’t be as easy if second-year wide receiver Josh Downs is sidelined.
According to multiple reports, Downs was forced to leave Wednesday’s practice after suffering an apparent injury. Here’s the latest on Downs’ status and where Indy’s WR depth chart stands.
Colts WR Josh Downs Injured at Training Camp
Downs came up limping after being tackled to the ground by Colts safety Nick Cross during Wednesday’s 7-on-7 drills, Nate Atkins of the Indy Star reports.
Downs couldn’t put any weight on one of his legs. According to the Indy Star’s Joel Erickson, two trainers examined Downs before helping him off the field.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen said Downs is dealing with an ankle injury, per James Boyd of The Athletic.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler later reported that Downs has a high-ankle sprain and “could miss about a month, but the Colts are sorting that out.”
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Downs is facing a 4-6 week timeline. However, Downs didn’t receive a worst-case diagnosis, and Indy hopes his recovery time is on the shorter end of that estimate.
The Colts’ regular season kicks off one month from tomorrow.
As ESPN’s Stephen Holder notes, Downs’ injury should never have occurred. On the play, Cross tackled Downs all the way to the ground, a no-no during 7-on-7s. Colts head coach Shane Steichen “was obviously not pleased,” according to Boyd.
The Colts selected Downs in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft after he totaled over 2,400 yards in his final two seasons at North Carolina. He became an immediate starter in Indy, playing at 60% of the Colts’ offensive snaps in 14 of 17 games.
Downs finished his rookie campaign with 68 catches on 98 targets for 771 yards and two touchdowns, ending the year as Indianapolis’ WR2 behind Michael Pittman Jr.
Downs, who spent 80% of his snaps in the slot, was outstanding after hauling in passes from Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew. According to TruMedia, Downs generated 48.1% of his total yardage after the catch, the eighth-highest rate among wide receivers in 2023.
MORE: Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart
He’d been one of the stars of Colts camp through the first several weeks and was expected to be a significant part of the team’s 2024 offense. Depending on the severity of Downs’ injury, Indianapolis might have to reevaluate its WR depth chart.
The Colts franchise-tagged Pittman before re-signing him this offseason. During the 2024 NFL Draft, general manager Chris Ballard used a Round 2 pick on Texas’ Adonai Mitchell, who’s competing with holdover Alec Pierce for Indy’s other perimeter WR role. Ashton Dulin and 2024 fifth-round rookie Anthony Gould are next up in the club’s wideout room.
Michael Thomas, Hunter Renfrow, and Corey Davis are the best free agent wide receivers available. Renfrow has the most slot experience among that group.
Fantasy Implications of Josh Downs’ Injury
Downs’ fantasy value could be severely affected heading into the 2024 NFL season, depending on the severity of his ankle injury. His average draft position (ADP) was 144th overall before the injury, which made him a steal for a player who can dominate in space on a potent offense. Last season, Downs was the third-most successful wide receiver vs. man coverage, the fourth-best vs. zone coverage, and 15th-best vs. press coverage.
If this is a high-ankle sprain, the severity of the sprain will determine how long Downs will need to rest. If the sprain is mild, it can heal within two-to-four weeks; moderate to severe sprains take six-to-12 weeks and may require surgery.
Be wary of drafting Downs this offseason at his current ADP; he might not be able to produce at the start of the season. Downs may need time to recover and reach the production levels we saw in 2023. He could become a stash on your fantasy bench as you wait for further news on this injury.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Joe Pepe