Here’s how Parris Campbell’s injury affects Colts’ wide receiving corps

Colts WR Parris Campbell Jr. is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

We’re in a familiar position, Indianapolis Colts fans. The NFL is only through two games in 2020 and the roster is decimated by injuries. After Marlon Mack went down for the year in Week 1 and Jack Doyle injured himself ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, plenty more followed.

Though Michael Pittman Jr. and Zach Pascal were questionable for Week 2 and ended up playing, Parris Campbell Jr. suffered a nasty-looking knee injury that will put him on the shelf indefinitely. The offense is losing guys left and right, though it was a good sign to see tight end Mo Alie-Cox absolutely dominate in the passing game.

But the truth is Campbell is a monumental loss, given how the Colts were envisioning their wide receiving corps in 2020.

The second-year pro out of Ohio State has been held back by injuries since coming into the NFL and played in just seven games last year. Based on this “indefinite” timeline, something similar could be the case in 2020.

Campbell was slated to be the team’s starting slot receiver, and he showed that in a big way Week 1. He led the team with six receptions for 71 yards, as the field opened for him as TY Hilton and Pittman Jr. assumed their roles on the outside. Everybody had a distinct capability to bring to the table in the wide receiver department, but the Colts will have to make do without their definitive slot guy.

This means we’ll be seeing more of Zach Pascal, who had a breakout year in 2019 with 41 catches for 607 yards and five touchdowns. He worked out of the slot last season, so he’s not unfamiliar with it, though he’s kind of an in-betweener, standing at 6-2 and 214 pounds with good blocking abilities.

So right now we can expect Hilton, Pittman and Pascal as the top three wideouts, with Hilton and Pittman on the outside and Pascal in the slot. That could change, however, if Pittman’s toe issue forces him to miss time. Then we’ll perhaps see Hilton and Pascal on the outside, or maybe the Colts will keep Pascal in the slot and see what rookie Dezmon Patmon can do on the outside.

Additionally, the tight end position will be as important as ever, and the good news is that Alie-Cox proved on Sunday that he’ll be a crucial part of the passing game after hauling in five catches for 111 yards.

Expect more Pascal. Expect more tight end action. And don’t be surprised if Patmon starts getting incorporated into the mix.

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