The Colts’ receiver room may be short-handed at the start of the season. Josh Downs is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, as first reported by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Such injuries typically carry a four-to-six-week recovery timeline, but in this instance, the worst-case scenario may have been avoided. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds Indianapolis is hoping Downs can return to action on the short end of that timeframe. As a result, he could be back in the fold in time for Week 1.

Plenty of attention will be paid to the 2023 third-rounder’s progress in recovery over the coming weeks. Downs had a strong rookie season, recording 771 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 68 receptions. He received at least five targets in a game 10 times, demonstrating his potential to serve as an effective complementary option behind Michael Pittman Jr. on the WR depth chart.

The latter received the franchise tag this offseason before agreeing to a three-year, $68M extension. Pittman will therefore remain the focal point of Indianapolis’ passing attack for the foreseeable future, but the team will rely on recent draftees at the receiver positions as well. The Colts added Alec Pierce in the second round in 2022 before making another Day 2 investment the following year in the form of Downs. The North Carolina product showed promise in the slot, and he should be expected to handle that role when healthy in 2024.

Indianapolis added further youth at the receiver spot this spring by selecting Adonai Mitchell in the second round. The Texas product is competing with Pierce for the other starting outside spot, and that process will continue through the remainder of training camp and the preseason. Downs will be sidelined for the time being, something which could open up further opportunities for Mitchell and Pierce in the short term. As things stand, though, the Colts should be back to full strength relatively soon.