Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs sat out Sunday’s training camp practice with a groin injury, but coach Shane Steichen isn’t worried. Steichen told reporters the injury is not serious and that Downs could return as soon as Tuesday’s joint practice against the New England Patriots.
“The most consequential news to come out of Sunday’s Colts practice is probably coach Shane Steichen saying that Josh Downs’ groin injury is NOT serious, and that he could potentially return for Tuesday’s joint practice at New England,” ESPN’s Stephen Holder reported on X.
The most consequential news to come out of Sunday's Colts practice is probably coach Shane Steichen saying that Josh Downs' groin injury is NOT serious, and that he could potentially return for Tuesday's joint practice at New England.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) August 9, 2026
Downs first missed practice Saturday, and the team offered no details at the time on how the injury happened or how long it might sideline him, per NBC Sports. Sunday’s update from Steichen is the first real clarity on the injury’s severity.
The timing matters. Downs is stepping into a bigger role in 2026 after the Colts traded longtime veteran Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March, opening up targets in the passing game. He’s also without his usual running mate: Alec Pierce remains on the physically unable to perform list following offseason ankle surgery, with no firm return timetable. That’s left Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Anthony Gould working as the top wideouts in practice while both projected starters are out.
None of that changes the fact that this is, by Steichen’s own account, a minor issue — not a signal of a larger problem. If Downs is back on the field Tuesday as expected, it’s a camp blip, not a trend.
The Colts open the regular season September 13 at home against the Baltimore Ravens.
