INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts will be without cornerback JuJu Brents for an extended time, but might welcome back a pair of integral offensive players when they face the Packers Sunday in Green Bay.
Slot receiver Josh Downs will practice on a limited basis Wednesday while kicker Matt Gay is “good to go," according to coach Shane Steichen.
Downs, who set a club rookie record with 68 receptions last season, missed the Houston opener while completing his rehab from a high ankle sprain suffered Aug. 7. Gay did not kick after undergoing hernia surgery late last month.
Downs worked with trainers and the rehab staff last week but never reached the point where he was cleared to play.
The return of both is a boost for an offense that lacked consistency but featured explosiveness in the 29-27 loss to the Texans.
In other injury news, Steichen said defensive tackle DeForest Buckner will not practice Wednesday. He suffered a back injury late in the Texans game.
The loss of Brents, who was placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday, is a major hit to the defense. The Warren Central H.S. product suffered a knee injury at some point in the Houston game. He was on the field for 62 of 79 defensive snaps and participated in the final drive. But an MRI revealed damage to the knee.
Steichen’s message to the team’s 2023 second-round draft pick?
“In life, adversity happens, you know?’’ he said. “It’s how you fight through that adversity and get back from it. To have it happen to him again in the second year, just keep fighting . . . and come back strong.’’
A source with knowledge of the situation said there’s a chance Brents might return in December.
Until then, the load at cornerback falls heavily on nickel corners Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, Samuel Womack III and Chris Lammons.
Steichen defended the Colts’ decision not to sign a veteran cornerback during the offseason.
“We felt good about the room. We did,’’ he said. “We’ve got young guys, obviously, and we have full faith and confidence in those guys and they’ve gotta go play. Young guys gotta go play in this league. That’s how you develop as a player.’’
Brents’ injury, Steichen added, “was just a tough break. You can’t predict injuries.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.