The Indianapolis Colts aren’t ready to rule out wide receiver Josh Downs for their Week 13 matchup with the New England Patriots, but being available is going to be “tough,” as head coach Shane Steichen put it on Wednesday.
“It’s gonna be tough for him this week,” Steichen said. “Not ruling him out, but it’s gonna be tough.”
Downs sustained a shoulder injury in Sunday’s loss to Detroit late in the game when being tackled to the ground.
While he did return to the game on the next possession, Ian Rapoport would report Monday that Downs is “week to week” and called him a “long shot” for this week’s game—although the injury isn’t expected to be long-term.
All season long, Downs has provided stability to the Colts up and down passing game as a go-to target and has been one of the most productive slot receivers in football
On the year, Downs has caught 72 percent of his 74 targets for 594 yards with four touchdowns.
Without Downs in the lineup during the first two games of the season, we saw a by-committee approach when it came to handling those slot responsibilities, which to some degree, will likely be how the Colts handle a potential absence this time. However, AD Mitchell could be a prime candidate to see the majority of the playing time there.
Awaiting the Colts this week is a Patriots defense that ranks 19th in points per game allowed at just over 23 and 26th in yards per pass attempt at 7.2.