UNC Football: Josh Downs to miss extended period of time due to injury
Some bad news out of Indianapolis Colts camp:
#Colts WR Josh Downs suffered a high ankle sprain during practice today, per source. The outlook right now is that Downs could miss about a month but the Colts are sorting that out.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 7, 2024
A key piece to Colts offense goes down. pic.twitter.com/MQollzLDTd
The former UNC football slot receiver had an impressive rookie season in Indianapolis despite losing new franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson just four games into the 2023 season. Back-up quarterback Gardner Minshew stepped in and had an okay season in Richardson's stead.
Downs worked hard with a second-string quarterback, but could only shine so much. He finished the season with 68 receptions, 771 receiving yards, but just two touchdowns. He was expected to grow into his role with the return of a healthy Anthony Richardson, but this setback will certainly delay those plans.
Downs does not dominate targets for Indianapolis the way he did in his last two seasons in Chapel Hill. Both Sam Howell and Drake Maye seemed to have a homing beacon glued on top of his helmet and looked for him constantly. Michael Pittman has the most gravitational pull on the Colts but only led the team with 41 more receptions than Downs and two more touchdowns.
The Colts only had 18 receiving touchdowns last season. Downs had 11 all by himself in his junior season with the UNC football program. Anthony Richardson has a useful arrow in his quiver once Downs mends his ankle. Will the Colts be able to supply him with quality passing? If so, expect Josh Downs to explode in his second NFL season the way he did in his second year at North Carolina.
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