Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was a surprise addition to the team’s injury report on Wednesday, listed as a non-participant due to a concussion.
It’s unclear exactly when Downs suffered his head injury, but the former North Carolina standout took some big hits late in Sunday’s Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals, including one on a touchdown catch that gave the Colts a lead early in the fourth quarter.
Downs took another big hit to the head on a catch that set up Johnathan Taylor’s game-winning touchdown in the final minutes of the game.
The third-year WR must now clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in order to be play in Sunday’s Week 7 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Downs has been a solid wideout option for quarterback Daniel Jones and the red-hot Colts offense, reeling in 26 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown through the first six games of his third NFL season. The former third-round pick put forth a solid effort in Indianapolis’ Week 6 win, catching six balls for 42 yards and a crucial TD score.
If Downs is unable to take the field on Sunday, Jones and the Colts will need to lean on their other pass-catchers to pick up the slack.
Rookie tight end Tyler Warren leads the way for Indianapolis in the pass game so far this year with 29 catches for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Veteran WR Michael Pittman Jr. has 28 catches for 293 yards and a team-leading four touchdown receptions.
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The Colts are 5-1 to start the season, tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the best record in the NFL. The team’s only loss of the year came against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium, where they’ll return to face off against the Chargers this weekend.
Sunday’s matchup against the Chargers will kickoff at 4:05 p.m. ET.
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