Colts Offensive Weapon 'Long Shot' To Play vs. Patriots

An Indianapolis Colts receiver may miss next weekend's contest against the New England Patriots.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) catches a pass Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, during a game against the Detroit Lions at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. / Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Indianapolis Colts played some of their worst football against the Detroit Lions, losing 24-6 and dropping to 5-7. On top of losing by 18, Colts wide receiver Josh Downs suffered a shoulder injury midway through Sunday's loss.

Heading into Week 13, Downs is considered week-to-week and will be a "long shot" to play against the New England Patriots (per Ian Rapoport | NFL Network). Despite returning to the field against the Lions, Downs' injury could see him miss a couple of weeks. Rapoport says that the injury is not a major one, meaning Downs could make a return in the final stretch of the season.

#Colts WR Josh Downs, who left Sunday’s game with a shoulder injury, is considered week-to-week and is a long-shot to play on Sunday against the #Patriots, source said. But the belief is he did not suffer a major injury.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 25, 2024

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The sophomore receiver has been a weapon all year long for the Colts, racking up 53 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns through 10 games played. Downs has been a consistent target for both Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco by creating early separation on routes that led to easy reads for the quarterbacks.

Downs is currently leading the team in receptions, receiving touchdowns, yards after the catch, and targets. His absence will certainly be felt in the offense if he misses snaps against the Patriots.

WHAT A CATCH BY JOSH DOWNS.

📺: #INDvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/1WMCZDj8G3

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024

Looking at the depth chart, AD Mitchell looks like the next guy up for the Colts. When Downs missed time earlier in the season, Mitchell took snaps in the slot to fill in for Downs. Now that Mitchell has some more experience under his belt, he could turn into a go-to target this Sunday.

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