This story was originally published by Dead Spin
Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs was helped off the practice field Wednesday after an apparent ankle injury.
Downs did not put any weight on his lower leg after being tackled by safety Nick Cross during 7-on-7 drills.
Downs, who turns 23 next Monday, was the Colts’ third-round pick (79th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
He caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (nine starts) during his rookie campaign.
Colts coach Shane Steichen was disappointed with the injury and said Downs will undergo testing immediately.
“We gotta be smart,” Steichen said. “We’re competing like crazy, but we gotta stay off the ground, and we can’t go down.”
Cross said the incident was unfortunate but part of the competition of training camp.
“I mean, we’re playing football. We’re competing. Josh is my guy. I love that boy to death,” Cross said. “… We’re here to play football at the end of the day.”
Downs is a projected starter along with two-time 1,000-yard receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and either rookie Adonai Mitchell or Alec Pierce.
The Colts open the preseason on Sunday against the visiting Denver Broncos.
–Field Level Media
