Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs suffered a high ankle sprain at practice Wednesday and will miss an estimated four-to-six weeks as he recovers, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The injury occurred when safety Nick Cross tackled Downs in seven-on-seven drills, per James Boyd of The Athletic. Head coach Shane Steichen reportedly wasn't pleased with the incident.
"We gotta be smart. We're competing like crazy, but we gotta stay off the ground, and we can't go down," Steichen said after practice.
Cross, 22, was selected in the third round of the 2022 draft. He's suited up in 33 games since entering the league, totaling 56 tackles and one interception.
"I mean, we're playing football. We're competing. Josh is my guy. I love that boy to death. … It's unfortunate," Cross said Wednesday, per Boyd.
He added: "We're here to play football at the end of (the) day."
Downs flashed in his rookie campaign, posting 68 receptions for 771 yards and two touchdowns after the Colts selected him in the third round of the 2023 draft. The North Carolina product is projected to be the club's No. 2 wideout across from Michael Pittman Jr. this season.
