INDIANAPOLIS – There was an upbeat tone as Shane Steichen walked into the press room Wednesday.
“Game week, baby,’’ the Indianapolis Colts head coach said. “I love it.’’
The impetus was clear: Sunday’s season-opening meeting with the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts are looking to win a season opener for the first time since 2013, but might be at less than full strength.
Second-year wideout Josh Downs (ankle) and kicker Matt Gay (hernia) will not practice Wednesday. That’s telling for Gay since Wednesday is a normal kicking day.
“We’ll see how the week progresses,’’ Steichen said.
Gay suffered the hernia in weekend after the Colts’ final preseason game at Cincinnati Aug. 22. Steichen wouldn’t comment whether his veteran kicker required surgery.
“But I don’t see it long-term,’’ he said.
The Colts took precautions for Gay’s possible absence last week by signing rookie Spencer Shrader to the practice squad. The Notre Dame product converted both of his field-goal attempts during the preseason and all four PATs.
Downs’ availability for the opener has been in question since he suffered a high sprain to his right ankle in training camp Aug. 7. The normal recovery time is 4-6 weeks.
“We’ll see,’’ Steichen said of Downs’ status. “He’s progressing well, though.’’
Losing Downs would be a blow to the offense. The 2023 third-round draft pick set a franchise rookie-record with 68 receptions.
If Downs is out, rookie AD Mitchell likely will see extended work out of the slot.
“He’s done a helluva job for us,’’ Steichen said. “That one-on-one explosiveness that he brings is big for our football team.
“We can put our wherever, in the slot, outside. We can move those guys around by game plan.’’
Cornerback Dallis Flowers, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, was expected to practice Wednesday.