The Indianapolis Colts released their final injury report ahead of their Week 2 matchup with the Green Bay Packers, along with the injury designations. Here is what you need to know.
#Colts final injury report:
QUESTIONABLE to play Sunday against the #Packers: DT DeForest Buckner (back), DE Kwity Paye (hamstring), WR Josh Downs (ankle)
Buckner didn’t practice all week. Paye missed two days and was limited today. Downs was limited two days and full today.
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 13, 2024
Following Friday’s practice, head coach Shane Steichen ruled out safety Julian Blackmon, who is working through a shoulder injury and did not practice at all this week. This leaves the Colts’ already shorthanded secondary even more thin.
For a unit where the margin for error coming into the season was already razor thin, the Colts’ secondary depth is going to be tested right away. For more on Blackmon not playing, click here.
DeForest Buckner has not practice at all this week either after exiting last Sunday’s game with a back injury, but he is listed as questionable. Buckner said on Thursday that he would be a “game-time decision.”
Buckner has been a disruptive presence throughout his entire career, and as Shane Steichen said earlier in the week, Buckner is “tough as nails,” in reference to Buckner’s ability to rarely miss playing time.
”Very optimistic for Buck,” said Shane Steichen on Friday.
On Sunday against the Texans, Buckner totaled three pressures, including two sacks, and had six tackles in the run game.
Kwity Paye was back on the practice field Friday after missing the previous two days with a hamstring injury. In the Week 1 opener, Paye ranked 10th among all defensive ends in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric.
Paye is questionable after being a limited participant on Friday. Paye totaled 8.5 sacks in 2023 and ranked 11th in PFF”s run defense grade among qualified defensive ends.
Lastly, Josh Downs is also questionable after practicing all three days this week in a limited capacity after returning from a high ankle sprain. It’s important to note, however, that Downs was a full participant on Friday for the first time, which is a good sign for Sunday.
His return would provide some needed consistency to the Colts passing game. Downs was one of the NFL’s most productive slot receivers as a rookie in 2023 and has developed a strong rapport with Anthony Richardson.
According to The Athletic’s James Boyd, Downs said earlier in the week that he feels “80-90%” and that the key to him playing will be having the ability to run and cut without thinking about his ankle.
”He looked good,” said Steichen. “Obviously he was practicing today as well, so we’ll see come Sunday.”
Kicker Matt Gay, who missed Week 1 with a hernia injury but was a full participant in practice this week, does not have an injury designation and will be good to go.