INDIANAPOLIS — It’s easy to see Josh Downs’ impact as a pass catcher.

He’s got 27 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns in just four games this year for the Indianapolis Colts, and a case can be made for him as the most valuable receiver on the roster.

Downs leads the Colts with 15 catches resulting in first downs, and his 77.1% catch rate on 35 targets is the best on the team among wide receivers.

He’s tied with deep threat Alec Pierce in success rate — catches that gain at least 40% of the yardage needed for a first down on first down, 60% on second down and 100% on third and fourth down — at 57.1%.

All of which is evidence of Downs’ reliability and consistency in just his second NFL season.

But his contribution to the team doesn’t end there.

He’s also averaging 13.8 yards on six punt returns at a time when it’s rare to see significant offensive contributors also play a major role on special teams.

Downs said he asked for the added responsibility after recovering from an ankle injury that cost him the first two weeks of the regular season.

“I kind of asked (the coaching staff) to do it after the first game I was back,” he said this week at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. “I was like, I’m trying to do it because I did it the last few games last year after Isaiah (McKenzie was suspended).

“And I told them I’m trying to do it again. And I don’t know if it was just (the) game plan or it happened to happen that way, but I ended up in (the punt return role) the next game.”

Downs made his return to the role quietly with a 5-yard return and two fair catches against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 29.

He added an 11-yard return a week later in a loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Then he broke out in last week’s 20-17 win against the Tennessee Titans.

Downs returned four punts for 67 yards overall, but the hidden yardage was pivotal to a pair of critical scoring drives.

His 23-yard return from his own 6-yard line near the end of the first half gave the offense room to operate for a 10-play, 63-yard drive that ended in a game-tying field goal.

And a 15-yard return from his own 10-yard line in the fourth quarter helped set the stage for an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that proved to be the game winner.

“I think he has such a natural feel, and he can handle that stuff,” Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen said of Downs’ double duty on offense and special teams. “Obviously, there’s discussions that go into that, but he’s got a great feel running routes, but he also has a great feel as a punt returner on setting up blocks and getting these explosive plays as a returner.

“So those discussions took place a couple weeks ago, and, shoot, he’s been doing a hell of a job back there. So, it’s been good for us.”

Even though he’s currently dealing with a toe injury that has limited his participation during the practice week, Downs remains fully on board with his dual roles.

He doesn’t look at the added workload as extra responsibility.

To him, it’s only additional opportunity.

“For me, it’s an extra touch,” Downs said. “So I don’t really complain about getting extra touches. So, as many as I can get, I won’t complain.”

RING OF HONOR

Former Colts tight end Dallas Clark will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Clark caught 427 passes for 4.887 yards and 46 touchdowns in nine seasons for Indianapolis, and he finished with 505 catches, 5.665 yards and 53 touchdowns in 11 seasons overall.

“I know a lot of our alumni are coming back this weekend,” Steichen said. “Exciting time in Indy. So fired up for him. Got a chance to meet him a few times, and it will be great to see a lot of the former players back in the building on Sunday.”

INJURY REPORT

Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) and cornerback Chris Lammons (ankle) have been ruled out for Sunday’s game.

Downs, defensive end Dayo Odeyinbo (hamstring), wide receiver Alec Pierce (shoulder), wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back), right tackle Braden Smith (knee) and linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) were listed as questionable.

Pierce and Speed were full participants in Friday’s practice. Downs was limited, and Odeyingbo, Pittman and Smith did not practice.

No players were ruled out for the Dolphins.

Safety Jevon Holland (hand) was listed as doubtful after practicing on a limited basis all week.

Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (hamstring/personal matter), long snapper Blake Ferguson (personal matter), offensive tackle Austin Jackson (back), linebacker David Long (knee), defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah (biceps), cornerback Cam Sims (hamstring) and quarterback Skylar Thompson (ribs) were listed as questionable.

Smith and Thompson were full participants Friday, Ogbah, Long, Jackson and Ferguson were limited and Beckham did not practice.