INDIANAPOLIS – A surprise inclusion on Wednesday’s participation report calls into question the availability of two key players as the Indianapolis Colts ramp up preparations for Sunday’s visit to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Wideout Josh Downs joined cornerback Charvarius Ward as being held out of practice with a concussion.
That was expected of Ward, who suffered head trauma prior to last Sunday’s game with Arizona. The team’s top corner collided with tight end Drew Ogletree on the Lucas Oil Stadium field during casual warmups.
Coach Shane Steichen mentioned Ward would not practice during his Wednesday meeting with the media.
There was no mention of Downs.
Each player is in the NFL’s concussion protocol and must satisfy a five-step process to return to the playing field. The final step is being cleared by an independent neurologist. Missing Wednesday makes it difficult for a player to work his way through protocol in time for Sunday.
This is Ward’s second concussion of the season. The first came in the season opener against Miami and he missed the week 2 game with Denver.
Downs is dealing with a concussion for the first time in his three-year career.
It’s uncertain when Downs was concussed, but he was blasted twice in the fourth quarter by Cardinals’ safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson.
On the first, Downs’ caught a 5-yard touchdown from Daniel Jones in the back of the end zone. After he secured the football, Taylor-Demerson delivered a big hit. There was no penalty for a late hit or unnecessary roughness.
Later in the final period, Downs caught a 9-yard pass on a crossing route that converted at third-and-8 at the Arizona 12. As he neared the 3-yard line, Taylor-Demerson and teammates Mack Wilson Sr. and Akeem Davis-Gaither converged on him.
Taylor-Demerson was injured on the play while Downs got to his feet and appeared unsteady as he headed to the sideline.
Downs addressed his reaction to his first TD catch of the season during a Monday appearance on 107.5’s The Fan Morning Show. After the catch, he gathered himself, got up and celebrated as teammates joined him in the back of the end zone.
“Actually, I was a little shaken up at first,’’ he said. “It was a fake (injury celebration), but it was also kind of real. I took a hit, so I was like, ‘Oh, snap!’ because that was like the first time this year taking a hit.’’
Downs had to shake it off, then “like, ‘Oh, OK. I’m good now.’ And then I did the little celly.’’
If Downs is unable to play, Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter must adjust.
An obvious option is using AD Mitchell, who was a healthy inactive against the Cardinals. The 2024 second-round pick has been used more as an outside and deep threat.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.