WESTFIELD — Indianapolis Colts starting slot receiver Josh Downs was dragged down by safety Nick Cross during Wednesday's training camp practice, suffering a high ankle sprain, a source told IndyStar. Downs was forced to leave practice. According to Washington University Physicians, players who sustain high ankle sprains are often out for four to six weeks depending upon the severity of the injury. Four weeks would have Downs back the week of the season opener.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen was not happy about a play he considered avoidable. Downs was dragged down by Cross from behind at the end of a play in a 7-on-7 period, and even in full 11-on-11 drills, the Colts coaching staff has asked defenders to avoid taking offensive players all the way to the ground.

"We've got to be smart," Steichen said. "We're competing like crazy, but we've got to stay off the ground. We can't go down. That's the bottom line."

Playing on Grand Park practice fields left wet by a misty morning, Downs ran a short out route, made the catch and took a hit from Cross, who held on through the ground.

The injury was apparent right away. Colts trainers immediately surrounded Downs and examined him for several minutes. When he finally got off the ground, Downs was unable to leave the field under his own power; he wrapped his arm around the shoulders of two trainers, unable to put weight on the ankle.

Cross essentially chalked up the play to luck.

"That's football," Cross said. "We're competing.”

The free safety, who has spent most of the past week working with the defensive starters, played with the second team for the next couple of practice periods, although he did return to the No. 1 defense at the end of practice.

Cross did not have a chance to speak with Downs before the end of practice.

"Josh is my guy, I love that boy to death," Cross said. "We're competing. It's unfortunate. I'm going to go see him when we go inside."

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If Downs is forced to miss significant time, it would be a heavy blow to the Indianapolis passing offense.

Downs caught 68 passes for 771 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie, and he had been one of the team's most productive players during training camp.

Fifth-round rookie Anthony Gould initially stepped into the slot in place of Downs during practice.

"He's got great speed, I'll tell you that," Steichen said. "We've hit him on some deep crossers through camp. He can really run."

Ultimately, though, the Colts would likely replace Downs by using a combination of players.

The team's No. 1 wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., has the ability to make plays in the slot, allowing Indianapolis to play him along with Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell, the two young receivers competing for playing time at the other outside receiver spot opposite Pittman.

Indianapolis also has five tight ends on the roster, and the Colts could use the depth at the position to help fill the role Downs would have played.

"Josh is a hell of a football player, but those (positions) are interchangeable," Steichen said. "You can put Pitt inside there. It just depends, right, what kind of route combination we're doing. You can put anybody you want in that slot position."

Indianapolis now must wait to find out the prognosis on Downs. A month still remains before the Colts open the season on Sept. 8 against the Houston Texans, giving the second-year receiver some time to recover, depending on the severity of the injury.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Josh Downs injury update after tackle on Colts receiver at camp