Josh Downs WR IND (14) Sun 9/15/24 11:35 AM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game at Green Bay, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
EDGE Analysis
Downs is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7. Downs had a good week of practice as he went from limited early in the week to full practice on Friday. However, the Colts are likely being cautious with his return. He may be able to make his 2024 debut next week against Chicago. Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell will continue to see ample snaps alongside No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman with Downs out.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Sun 9/15/24 7:31 AM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, is considered "50-50" to play Week 2, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
EDGE Analysis
Though his ability to close the week as a full practice participant Friday is normally an indication of a player being ready to play on game day, Downs' status still looks to be up in the air since he had been a limited or non-participant in practice in the five weeks before that while managing a left high-ankle sprain. According to Rapoport, the Colts want to make sure that Downs has zero issues with the ankle before clearing him to play, so the wideout could be put through a pregame workout before the team makes a call on his availability. Official word on Downs' status will be provided when Indianapolis releases its inactive list 90 minutes prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff. If Downs doesn't suit up or is subject to a limited snap count, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell could continue to see ample snaps alongside No. 1 wideout Michael Pittman.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Fri 9/13/24 3:29 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers after logging a full practice Friday.
EDGE Analysis
It was encouraging that Downs upgraded from limited participation Wednesday and Thursday to full participation Friday, but that wasn't enough to get his name off the team's injury report. Downs hadn't practiced for five weeks before his activity this week, and he sat out the regular-season opener against the Texans, so even if he gets the green light Sunday, Downs likely won't have a full workload. Alec Pierce could once again be the main beneficiary in the event of a Downs absence.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Thu 9/12/24 3:50 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle) remained a limited participant at practice Thursday.
EDGE Analysis
Two straight limited sessions to open Week 2 prep offer hope that Downs could suit up Sunday against the Packers after missing last week's season-opening loss to the Texans due to a left high-ankle sprain. However, unless the wideout practices fully Friday, he'll likely head into the weekend with an injury designation.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Wed 9/11/24 4:04 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Downs, who continues to make progress in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7, told James Boyd of The Athletic that he felt "70 percent" last week and is now feeling in the "80-to-90 percent" range. At this stage, the wideout says that the key to him feeling capable of playing this Sunday against the Packers rests in his ability to run and cut without thinking about his ankle.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Wed 9/11/24 11:42 AM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle) is slated to be a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Downs is working his way back from a high-ankle sprain that he sustained Aug. 7 and continues to make progress, with his looming practice participation representing a key step toward potentially returning to action this weekend versus the Packers. In the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Texans, Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell saw added snaps behind top option Michael Pittman.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Mon 9/9/24 2:36 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Coach Shane Steichen said Monday the Colts will monitor Downs (ankle) heading into the team's Week 2 road matchup against the Packers, George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin reports.
EDGE Analysis
Downs was held out of Indianapolis' 29-27 loss to the Texans on Sunday, but it sounds like he could have a chance to return Week 2 at Green Bay. With Downs sidelined, Alec Pierce was able to translate his increased opportunities into a huge impact, securing all three of his targets for 125 yards and a touchdown. Even if Downs is healthy Week 2, Pierce's impressive performance leaves the Colts with a crowded wide receiver room, with Michael Pittman atop the depth chart and rookie second-round pick Adonai Mitchell having drawn five targets Week 1.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Fri 9/6/24 1:09 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Coach Shane Steichen said Friday that Downs (ankle) is out for Sunday's season opener against the Texans.
EDGE Analysis
Downs was able to do some individual movement drills off to the side during Friday's practice, but he won't be ready for Week 1 action and thus will target a potential return Sunday, Sept. 15 against the Packers. In Downs' absence versus Houston, fellow WRs Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce should see added opportunities behind No. 1 receiver Michael Pittman.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Fri 9/6/24 12:11 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Though Downs (ankle) wasn't participating in practice Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic notes that the wideout was doing individual movement drills off to the side.
EDGE Analysis
If Downs officially goes down as a DNP for the third straight practice, his chances of suiting up Sunday versus Houston wouldn't seem promising. Either way, added context with regard to his Week 1 status will arrive no later that the release of the Colts' final injury report of the week.
Josh Downs WR IND (14) Thu 9/5/24 1:21 PM
Josh Downs
WR IND (14)
Downs (ankle) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Though officially listed as a non-participant in the Colts' first practice of the week, Downs -- who is bouncing back from a high-ankle sprain -- noted that he ran some routes during Wednesday's session, while suggesting that he's "real close" to returning, per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis. With another DNP looming Thursday, what, if anything, Downs is able to do Friday figures to be pivotal in terms of his chances of suiting up Sunday against the Texans.