INDIANAPOLIS – The status of two integral offensive components is uncertain as the Indianapolis Colts ramp up preparations for Sunday’s season-opening showdown with the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Kicker Matt Gay is dealing with a groin injury and wideout Josh Downs is still in rehab mode with a high ankle sprain.
Coach Shane Steichen was unable to offer much of an update on either player, but the Colts signed rookie Spencer Shrader to their practice squad last week in case Gay is unable to kick.
“Spencer’s here for that,’’ Steichen said Monday.
The Colts initially signed Shrader as an undrafted rookie in May. He was waived Aug. 27 when rosters were pared to 53 but re-signed to the practice squad two days later.
It’s uncertain when Gay first sustained the groin injury, but one of the NFL’s highest-paid kickers — an average of $5.626 million per year — endured a bad preseason. After converting a 35-yard field goal in the preseason opener against Denver, he was wide left on a 54-yarder against the Broncos. In the next game against Arizona, Gay also yanked 53 and 44-yard attempts wide left.
The wayward kicks against the Cardinals came with Shrader serving as his holder for the first time. Rigoberto Sanchez missed the game to be with his wife Cynthia, who was delivering the couple’s second daughter.
Shrader’s placements seemed to be more than adequate.
“The ball’s down, I’ve gotta make the kick regardless of who’s the holder or what’s happening,’’ Gay said after the game. “I just have to be better, especially going forward getting ready for week 1, going into the regular season.
For this team, I’ve gotta make kicks. I’ve got to do my part.’’
Shrader displayed a strong leg during training camp, but occasionally lacked accuracy. However, that wasn’t the case when the Colts closed the preseason in Cincinnati.
During a joint workout, Shrader went 5-for-5 with kicks ranging from 38 yards to 58 yards.
In the game at Paycor Stadium, Gay converted a first-quarter PAT before turning over the second-half kicking duties to Shrader, who nailed 56 and 41-yard attempts. He also hit a pair of PATs.
Steichen insisted he feels “really good’’ with Shrader.
“We let him kick that second half (and he) made some big-time kicks in the that game. He was consistent.’’
Shrader appeared in 57 games at Notre Dame (2023) and South Florida (2019-22). He converted just 43-of-63 field-goal attempts (68.3%)
The Colts are confident they’re in position to challenge for their first AFC South title since 2014.
That likely hinges on winning tight games. They were 6-3 in one-score games last season, and that included a 23-19 loss to the Texans in week 18 when they failed to execute a fourth-and-1 situation at the Houston 15-yard line with one minute remaining.
In a week 3 trip to Baltimore, Gay was the catalyst for a 22-19 overtime upset of the Ravens. He was 5-for-5 on field goal attempts and set an NFL record with four of at least 50 yards. Gay tied the game at 19-all with a 53-yarder with 57 seconds remaining and won it with another 53-yarder in overtime.
General manager Chris Ballard made Gay the NFL’s second-highest paid kicker last offseason when he signed him to a four-year, $22.5 million contract. Gay had converted 74-of-80 field goal attempts the previous three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams.
After getting off to a 16-of-18 start with the Colts, Gay’s accuracy waned. He finished the season 17-of-23. Five of his six misses over the second half of the season glanced off the uprights.
Roster move
The Colts signed cornerback Davis Long Jr. to the practice squad.
The 2019 third-round pick of the Rams has appeared in 66 games with 12 starts while spending time with the Rams, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers and Las Vegas Raiders.
Long saw action in 14 total games last season — three with Carolina and Green Bay and eight with the Raiders.
Also, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the Colts have worked out veteran running back Leonard Fournette.
Steichen said he likes a running backs room that includes Jonathan Taylor, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson.
“Obviously, Chris and his staff is always doing their due diligence … looking at guys outside the building,’’ he said. “We’re always looking.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter/X at @mchappell51.
