As the Indianapolis Colts prepare for a critical matchup against the New England Patriots this Sunday, their wide receiver corps could be significantly shorthanded. With key injuries mounting at the position, rookie AD Mitchell may be in line for a much larger role than originally anticipated.
Injury Report Raises Concerns
As of Wednesday, the Colts have been without three of their top receivers in Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, and Alec Pierce at practice. While head coach Shane Steichen has not ruled out Downs for Sunday’s game, he did mention that having Downs available would be “tough.” Meanwhile, the statuses of Dulin and Pierce remain up in the air, though the fact that both have missed two consecutive practices makes their availability increasingly uncertain.
Given the current injury situation, it seems likely that Mitchell, a rookie wideout, will be called upon to step up and take on a larger role in the offense.
Mitchell’s Opportunity to Shine
If the Colts are indeed without Downs, the slot receiver role—where Downs has been a regular contributor—will need to be filled. Early in the season, when Downs was sidelined due to an ankle injury, Mitchell was among the players who saw a significant amount of snaps in the slot. While the team employed a committee approach at that time, Mitchell stood out and showed he could handle the responsibility.
Now, with more experience under his belt and a growing rapport with quarterback Anthony Richardson, Mitchell is poised to take on even more snaps in the slot, especially if Downs is unable to play. The rookie’s familiarity with the role from earlier in the season could give him a leg up.
However, if Dulin or Pierce are also unavailable, Mitchell may be asked to fill a more prominent role downfield—potentially stepping into the position typically occupied by Pierce. That would leave other receivers, including fellow rookie Anthony Gould, to help pick up the slack in the slot. While this scenario is still speculative, it’s clear that Mitchell will have a chance to play a much larger role than he has throughout most of the season.
A Promising Performance Against Buffalo
Mitchell’s development has been a bit of a roller coaster throughout his rookie season. After a rough start where he caught just two of his first 13 targets, Mitchell seemed to turn a corner in recent weeks. His breakout game came in Week 10 against the Buffalo Bills, when the Colts were without star receiver Michael Pittman. Mitchell caught all six of his targets for 71 yards, a performance that not only showcased his growth but also highlighted his potential as a reliable target for Richardson.
In that game, Mitchell’s ability to extend drives, including drawing a crucial holding penalty in the red zone that set up a touchdown, was an encouraging sign for his future. This is the kind of production the Colts need from their young players, and Mitchell is proving he can contribute in a meaningful way.
The Need for More Opportunities
Despite his strong showing in Buffalo, Mitchell has struggled to find consistent playing time. From Weeks 3 through 9, Mitchell averaged just over 12 snaps per game. Over the last two weeks, he has played 24 total snaps, yet he’s still often out-snapped by Dulin. For a rookie like Mitchell, learning the NFL ropes requires more than just brief opportunities—it requires regular reps.
If the Colts are going to reach their goal of making a playoff push, they’ll need Mitchell to continue his upward trajectory. With injuries hitting their receiving corps hard, it’s time for Mitchell to get more opportunities and prove he can be a consistent contributor in the passing game.
A Must-Win Game for the Colts
The Colts are currently sitting at 5-7, and with their playoff hopes on life support, every game from here on out is critical. A win against the Patriots would keep their postseason dreams alive, and Mitchell could play a key role in that effort. Whether filling in for Downs in the slot or stepping into a downfield role in Pierce’s absence, Mitchell is about to be thrust into a larger spotlight.
As he continues to navigate the learning curve of his rookie season, this game could provide a turning point in Mitchell’s development. With more opportunities to play, he has the chance to make an impact that could benefit both his growth and the Colts’ chances of salvaging their season.
In what is shaping up to be a high-stakes game, Mitchell’s performance could be one of the defining factors for Indianapolis. The young wideout has shown flashes of promise, and now, with injuries creating a vacuum at receiver, the spotlight is on him to deliver. The Colts will be hoping that the rookie can rise to the occasion and help power them to a much-needed victory over New England.
