Colts preparing backup with PK Matt Gay injured

Colts kicker Matt Gay was unavailable for Wednesday's practice and his status for Sunday is up in the air because of a hernia.

Indianapolis hosts the Houston Texans to start the regular season, but head coach Shane Steichen said it's too early to determine if Gay can play.

"We'll see how the week progresses," Steichen said Wednesday, declining to confirm or deny whether Gay required surgery.

Spencer Shrader replaced Gay in the preseason finale against the Bengals. Gay attempted the first extra point of the game and didn't return. Steichen said Gay was injured the week after the Cincinnati game.

Gay made 35 of 36 PATs in 2023 and converted on 33 of 41 field-goal attempts. Only three of the misses were inside 50 yards.

Shrader, an undrafted rookie from Notre Dame, is on the practice squad and could be activated Sunday.

Steichen also said wide receiver Josh Downs missed practice Wednesday. Downs injured his ankle in practice Aug. 7.

As a rookie last season, Downs was second on the roster in receptions (68) and receiving yards (771), and he scored two touchdowns primarily working out of the slot.

--Field Level Media