Colts wide receiver depth passes an early test, according to Training Camp Notebook….

Colts wide receiver depth passes an early test, according to Training Camp Notebook

WESTFIELD, IN: Alec Pierce has the most snaps of any wide receiver in the NFL in 2023 (1,090). Even though he missed nearly a whole game due to a concussion a year prior, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. still played the tenth-most snaps (991) of any player.

And last season, Josh Downs (418) was the lone receiver to play more snaps from the slot than any other.

With Pierce, Pittman, and Downs combined for 91 percent of the team’s wide receiver snaps last season, the Colts largely relied on that three. The Colts had their lowest point total (10) and second-lowest average yards per play rate (3.9) of the season when Pittman was sidelined for the team’s Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

This enhanced depth was tested on Wednesday. Practice was abandoned by Dulin, and Downs hurt his ankle was tackled by safety Nick Cross during a seven-on-seven drill.

Regarding the possible seriousness of Downs’ injury, head coach Shane Steichen was not aware of any updates.

Steichen remarked, “We gotta be smart,” regarding the play that resulted in Downs’ injury. “Even if we’re competing fiercely, we have to stay off the ground and cannot fall. That’s the essential point.

In place of Downs, Gould demonstrated the kind of acceleration and quickness that made him a potent danger in college. And Steichen saw not only what Gould did on Wednesday but also his actions thus far this camp.