The Indianapolis Colts’ Thursday injury report looks the same as it did on Wednesday, with both Josh Downs and Matt Gay not practicing.
Thursday's practice report for #HOUvsIND: pic.twitter.com/ENVsXpTuD9
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 5, 2024
Downs has been sidelined since August 7th with a high ankle sprain. At that time, Ian Rapoport reported that Downs could be sidelined 4-6 weeks. The Colts have not put a timeline on his return.
Downs continues to trend in the right direction, but his status for Sunday’s game is very much up in the air at this time.
“Yeah, real close,” said Downs about returning via Locked On Colts. “Still up in the air about this weekend. Not sure yet, but definitely making strides. I was out there yesterday running routes, so feeling pretty good.”
Gay was out as he recovers from a hernia injury he suffered against Cincinnati in the preseason finale. Gay did acknowledge that he had surgery but has not yet been ruled out of Sunday’s game.
If Downs cannot play, then we will likely continue to see a heavy dose of AD Mitchell in the slot with Anthony Gould perhaps tasked with taking on some of the pre-snap motion responsibilities that Downs has been tasked with.
If Gay is out, then rookie Spencer Shrader will be elevated from the practice squad for Sunday’s game. Shrader made both field goal attempts during the preseason, including a 56 yarder.
At this point, if there is any hope of either player seeing the field on Sunday, I would guess that they’ll have to practice in some capacity on Friday.
