Colts' promising second-year WR exits practice with injury

Over the past couple of years, the Colts have built a young and talented wide receiver room which includes the likes of Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell.

However, Indianapolis' budding group took a hit during Wednesday's practice when Downs suffered an ankle injury after safety Nick Cross took him to the ground during 7-on-7 drills.

The severity of Downs' injury is unknown, as head coach Shane Steichen said he needs to be evaluated, but the Colts are hoping for the best, as he was putting together a strong camp after impressing as a rookie.

The No. 79 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft registered 68 catches for 771 yards and two touchdowns last season.

Steichen understands that every player is competing for a spot on the 53-man roster but reiterated that everyone must be smarter when facing friendly fire.

"We've got to be smart," Steichen said, via Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. "We are competing like crazy, but we've got to stay off the ground and can't go down."

Cross also spoke to the media after practice. He felt bad about injuring Downs but noted he was simply competing.

"I mean, we're playing football," Cross said, via James Boyd of The Athletic. "We're competing. Josh is my guy. I love that boy to death ... We're here to play football at the end of the day."

While Downs gets evaluated and potentially misses time, his absence will give Pierce and Mitchell more opportunities to showcase why they each should be the No. 3 option in the pass attack.

In Indianapolis' first depth chart, the two are listed as co-starters at one of the three receiver positions, with the other starters, of course, being Pittman Jr. and Downs.

Pierce, a second-round pick in 2022, has disappointed with just 73 catches for 1,107 yards and four touchdowns in his first two years in the league.

Mitchell, on the other hand, was the Colts' second-round pick this year after reeling in 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns at Texas.