After practice, they learned that Downs suffered a high ankle sprain . This injury requires a four—to six-week recovery time, which presents a massive opportunity for rookie Anthony Gould.
Colts rookie WR Anthony Gould
Abigail Dollins&solStatesman Journal &sol USA TODAY NETWORK
The Colts drafted Gould with the 142nd pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft . He played all five seasons of his collegiate career at Oregon State, appearing in 41 games and recording 84 receptions for 1,360 yards and six touchdowns. He also was a very productive punt returner with him, totaling 26 returns for 423 yards and two touchdowns. His best season as a returner came in 2022, where he turned 14 returns into 256 yards and two touchdowns with 18.3 yards per return.
Gould was listed as the backup slot WR on the team's first unofficial depth chart and one of multiple players working as a returner in training camp. After the draft, the Colts shared Gould's ability as a returner certainly grabbed their attention, but they were also intruged by his upside as a WR at the next level. With Downs now out the rest of training camp, Gould will begin working with the starting offense in the slot. Gould has had multiple big catches with the second team and backup QB Joe Flacco. Now, he will get the chance to work with starter Anthony Richardson.
Gould was likely already going to see a high snap count during the preseason, but now, with the Colts likely needing to have him ready for Week 1 in case Downs isn't ready yet, each snap becomes more important. If he can prove himself during the preseason and potentially the regular season if Downs remains sidelined, it could lead to him carving out a permanent rotational role in the offense. So Gould has a massive opportunity in front of him that no one expected him to have. What he does with this opportunity could change the entire outlook of his rookie season. And, in turn, the early stages of his career.
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