Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) participates in a drill on day three of training camp at Grand Park Sports Campus.
Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
The Indianapolis Colts are ready to reassert themselves in the AFC after a disappointing end to the 2025 season. QB Daniel Jones has looked great in training camp following last year's Achilles injury. Unfortunately, he has been without two of his top targets during recent practices.
Colts wide receiver Josh Downs missed practice on Saturday with a groin injury, per ESPN's Stephen Holder. That injury left Indy without their two starting receivers with Alec Pierce also out of the lineup.
Pierce has yet to practice for the Colts after undergoing offseason ankle surgery. The Colts have yet to provide a specific timeline on when Pierce will return to action.
Meanwhile, there is no clear indication of how long Downs' groin injury will keep him out of practice.
Both Pierce and Downs remain out of practice on Sunday as well, per The Athletic's James Boyd. The Colts are also without rookie linebacker CJ Allen, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Indianapolis is in a desperate situation at wide receiver with both of their top options out of action. The absence of Pierce is unquestionably the biggest concern, especially after general manager Chris Ballard's latest injury update.
Ballard noted on Thursday that Pierce will likely spend “a week or two” more on the PUP list. Still, it is unclear if Pierce is even close to returning to action.
The uncertainty around Pierce is significant in part because he is on the PUP list. If the Colts do not activate Pierce off the PUP list before the regular season, he will be forced to miss the first four games.
Ultimately, it is still too early to start panicking. After all, the regular season is still just over a month away.
Still, Colts fans will want to see Downs and Pierce back at practice as soon as possible.