Colts' WR Josh Downs feels 'real close;' status for Sunday 'up in the air'

It’s still unknown whether or not Colts’ wide receiver Josh Downs will play in the team’s opener on Sunday against Houston, but he’s feeling good about where he’s at.

“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.”

Downs was still not participating in Thursday’s practice, according to The Athletic’s James Boyd.

Downs suffered a high ankle sprain during a team practice on August 7th. At that time, Ian Rapoport reported that the timetable for Downs’ return could be 4-6 weeks. The short end of that timeframe would put Downs’ potential return right in line with Week 1, which will be played on September 8th.

Neither the Colts nor Downs have commented on any potential timetable for his return.

Prior to the injury Downs was putting together a highly impressive training camp, emerging as a favorite target of Anthony Richardson’s, with the two having developed a strong rapport.

Downs is coming off of a rookie season where he finished second on the team in receiving yards with 771 along with scoring two touchdowns. League-wide, Downs ranked seventh among all receivers in yards from the slot, and was the best on the team in forcing missed tackles and picking up YAC.

If Downs can’t play on Sunday, just as we saw during the preseason, we will likely see AD Mitchell taking the bulk of the slot snaps, with Anthony Gould potentially worked in as well.

“I feel good,” added Downs. “Just working everything. Getting back to it, but I feel good.”