The Colts' injury report on Wednesday – their first day of practice ahead of Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field – was a bit of a mixed bag.
Wide receiver Josh Downs participated in practice for the first time since sustaining an ankle injury during training camp on Aug. 7. The second-year receiver, who didn't play in Week 1 and was a limited participant on Wednesday, said he "wasn't ready to go" and was at about 70 percent for the Colts' season opener on Sunday.
For Downs, he said he'll be ready to play when he knows "I'm not thinking about my ankle and I can cut, react and just stop on a dime."
Kicker Matt Gay was a full participant in Wednesday's practice after missing the Colts' season opener following August hernia surgery. Gay was listed as questionable for Week 1, but the Colts held him out to make sure he could handle the high volume of kicks – pregame warmups, kicking into a net on the sideline and actual in-game kicks – NFL kickers have on gamedays.
"I hated it," Gay said. "I did not enjoy not playing. I was very excited to see Spencer go out there and get his first start and be successful, make his kicks. Super happy for him. That's aside of the fact that I want to play and be out there, and I definitely did not like not playing."
A few other Colts starters did not practice Wednesday: Safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder), defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (back) and defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring).
Steichen on Monday said Buckner is "progressing well" after sustaining a back injury toward the end of Sunday's game.
"He's tough as nails, as you guys know," Steichen said. "He's battled through stuff his whole career. So, looking forward to him getting the treatment, and hopefully everything's good to go this week."
Wednesday's full practice report:
