WESTFIELD, Ind. – No NFL wide receiver played more snaps in 2023 than Alec Pierce (1,090). Michael Pittman Jr., despite a concussion knocking him out for about a game and a half, still played the 10th-most snaps (991) among wide receivers a year ago.
And only two receivers played more snaps from the slot than Josh Downs (418) last season.
The Colts leaned heavily on that trio last year, with Pierce, Pittman and Downs combining to play 91 percent of the team's snaps given to wide receivers. Pittman's absence for Week 16's loss to the Atlanta Falcons coincided with the Colts' second-lowest average yards per play rate (3.9) and lowest point total (10) of the season.
This year, the Colts' wide receiver depth looks to be in a better spot. The Colts drafted Adonai Mitchell (second round) and Anthony Gould (fifth round), and Ashton Dulin's return from a torn ACL adds critical versatility and reliability to Reggie Wayne's room. And D.J. Montgomery – who was called up on a few times in 2023 – has had some standout moments so far during training camp.
That improved depth was put to the test on Wednesday. Dulin did not participate in practice, and Downs sustained an ankle injury when he was tackled by safety Nick Cross during a seven-on-seven period.
Head coach Shane Steichen did not have an update on the potential severity of Downs' injury.
"We gotta be smart," Steichen said of the play on which Downs was injured. "We're competing like crazy but we gotta stay off the ground and we can't go down. That's the bottom line."
Gould stepped in for Downs and flashed the kind of acceleration and speed that made him a dynamic threat in college. And Steichen took notice of not just what Gould did on Wednesday, but what he's done throughout camp so far.
"He's got great speed, I'll tell you that," Steichen said. "We've hit him on some deep crossers throughout camp. He can really run. When we're going through the draft process, watching him, he can play a little bit of everything. (He can play) inside, at Oregon State he played outside as well, and he's got punt return ability as well. So really impressed with what he's done so far."
The Colts have flexibility to kick other players – like Pittman – inside to the slot if necessary. But the Colts don't just have depth in the slot – the training camp competition between Pierce and Mitchell is producing an offense that'll feature both during the regular season.
And that means the Colts may not need a single receiver to play nearly a thousand snaps again in 2024.
"Both of those guys are making plays every day," Steichen said. "I think both those guys are going to have an impact for us this year. I really like where both those guys are at."
News & Notes
- Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo (calf) participated in practice, including in some 11-on-11 work.
- Prior to leaving practice, Downs had two impressive wins on deep balls during one-on-one drills.
- Pierce hauled in a deep ball in one-on-ones, while wide receiver Ethan Fernea had a spectacular diving grab in the same period.
- Cornerback JuJu Brents and linebacker Zaire Franklin nearly came down with interceptions in 11-on-11.
- Tight end Kylen Granson had an explosive catch-and-run in 11-on-11.
- Quarterback Joe Flacco connected with tight end Jelani Woods for a chunk gain in seven-on-seven. Woods also picked up some YAC on a throw from quarterback Kedon Slovis later in 11-on-11.
- Flacco zipped tight-window completions to Pierce and Montgomery during 11-on-11 work.
- Quarterback Anthony Richardson connected on a deep ball with Pittman in 11-on-11.
