Colts' Downs injures ankle in practice after tackle

WESTFIELD, Ind. -- Indianapolis Colts starting wide receiver Josh Downs left practice with an ankle injury Wednesday morning, needing the assistance of two team staffers to leave the field before being carried on a cart to the locker room.

There were no immediate specifics about the injury, but the second-year Downs is a critical member of the Colts' offense after catching 68 passes for 771 yards last season -- second on the team in both categories.

Adding to the frustration of the injury was the fact that it might have been avoidable. Downs was tackled from behind on the play by safety Nick Cross as Downs was going out of bounds after catching a short pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson. Further, the play came in a 7-on-7 period where physicality is generally discouraged.

Coach Shane Steichen was critical of Cross' tackle, saying, "We've got to be smart. We're competing like crazy but we've got to stay off the ground and we can't go down, bottom line."

Steichen reprimanded Cross on the field following the play, even while Downs was still being attended to.

Speaking to reporters after practice, Cross said, "We're competing, playing football. Josh is my guy. I love him to death."

If Downs is out for an extended period, it raises the stakes in the battle for the Colts' No. 3 wide receiver spot behind No. 1 Michael Pittman Jr. and Downs at No. 2.

Veteran Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell have been alternating with the starting offense, with coaches waiting for one to separate. Both have shown significant progress in recent practices, and coaches expect both will play a role in the offense.