MICHAEL PITTMAN JR. NEWS

How Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.'s toughness, 'predetermined mindset' makes him the ultimate team player Pittman had five catches for 46 yards in the Colts' 28-27 win over the New York Jets.

2 DAYS AGO • COLTS.COM

Week 11 Recap: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts at Jets Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. speaks with the media on Monday to break down the Colts' Week 11 win over the New York Jets.

2 DAYS AGO • COLTS.COM

Five catches in return Pittman caught five of eight targets for 46 yards in Sunday's 28-27 win over the Jets.

Impact Pittman was more involved in his return from a one-game absence due to a back injury, which was preceded by a pair of one-catch performances. He has been eclipsed as the top option in the Colts passing game by Josh Downs, who had a touchdown catch among his team-high 84 receiving yards Sunday. Up next for Pittman is a Week 12 home game against a Detroit defense that has allowed plenty of yardage to wide receivers, in part because the 9-1 Lions have spent the vast majority of their season playing from ahead.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Practices fully Thursday Pittman (back) practiced fully Thursday.

Impact After missing his first game of the season this past Sunday against the Bills due to a back injury he's been managing as well as a finger issue, Pittman was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate. With Pittman able to maintain that level of participation in Thursday's session, he's poised to return to action this weekend against the Jets after having evidently benefited from being held out of Week 10 action. Barring any in-game setbacks, Pittman should step back into a key role in the Colts' wideout corps, but with Anthony Richardson back as the team's starting QB, it's possible that Indianapolis' offense may tilt toward the running game versus New York.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Practice Notebook: Michael Pittman Jr. taking things one day at a time, 'seeing where it goes' Pittman (back) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice report, while Bernhard Raimann (knee) did not participate.

NOVEMBER 13 • COLTS.COM

Estimated as full practice participant Pittman (back) was listed as a full participant on Wednesday's practice estimate.

Impact The Colts held a walk-through Wednesday, with Pittman's listed full participation being a good indication that having the wideout sit out this past Sunday's loss to the Bills has helped his lingering back issue subside ahead of Week 11 action action. Look for added context on that front to arrive when the team practices Thursday, but at this stage it appears as though Pittman will be available this weekend versus the Jets, barring a setback. In other news Wednesday, head coach Shane Steichen announced that Anthony Richardson has been reinstalled as Indianapolis' starting quarterback.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Colts rule out WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back, finger) Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.will not play in Sunday’s game against the visiting Buffalo Bills.Pittman, 27, did not p...

NOVEMBER 8 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Ruled out this week Coach Shane Steichen noted Friday that Pittman (back/finger) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills, Amanda Foster of the Colts' official site reports.

Impact Pittman, who didn't participate in practice this week, is thus slated to miss his first game of the season Sunday. Per James Boyd of The Athletic, Steichen indicated Friday that Pittman is viewed as week-to-week, but at this stage the team is still not considering IR for the wideout. In Pittman's absence, Josh Downs and Alec Pierce are in line to lead the Colts' WR corps, with Ashton Dulin and Adonai Mitchell mixing in, while Anthony Gould is available in reserve.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Still not practicing Pittman (back/finger) remained sidelined at practice Friday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact Pittman also missed Wednesday and Thursday's sessions, and his continued absence Friday doesn't bode well for his chances of playing Sunday against the Bills. If Pittman ends up being unavailable for the contest, the Colts' Week 10 wideout corps would be in line to be led by Josh Downs and Alec Pierce, with Ashton Dulin and Adonai Mitchell mixing in.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Not seen at Thursday's practice Pittman (back, finger) wasn't spotted at Thursday's practice, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact Pittman didn't practice Wednesday, his norm since Week 6, so his absence a day later is notable. What the wideout -- who hasn't missed any games yet this season -- is able to do Friday, if anything, will thus be pivotal in terms of gauging the chances of him be able to continue to play through the back issue that he's been managing of late. The Colts face the Bills at 1:00 ET on Sunday.

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Week 10 Locker Talk: Anthony Richardson, Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II and Michael Pittman Jr. Anthony Richardson, Zaire Franklin, Kenny Moore II and Michael Pittman Jr. meet with the media as the Colts prepare to face the Buffalo BIll...

NOVEMBER 6 • COLTS.COM

Another Wednesday absence Pittman (back) didn't practice Wednesday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact Wednesday absences have been the norm for Pittman since Week 6 as he continues to manage a back issue, but the wideout has managed to suit up for all nine of the Colts' games to date. That said, head coach Shane Steichen acknowledged Wednesday, "obviously, (Pittman is) dealing with some stuff, but obviously we are trying to get him the ball as well, adding that the wideout "knows his body more than anyone. He's battling through it. He's showing the toughness, wants to be out there with his teammates. So we are just taking it week-by week." In this past Sunday's loss to the Vikings, Pittman logged a 76 percent snap share, while catching just one pass (for 14 yards on four targets) for the second straight game.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Just one catch in Week 9 loss Pittman caught one of four targets for 14 yards in Sunday's 21-13 loss to the Vikings.

Impact Pittman was blanked on one first-half target and didn't see a substantial uptick in the second half. His quiet stat line was especially disappointing in the context of the Colts benching Anthony Richardson and starting Joe Flacco under center against the Vikings, as Pittman's pedestrian performance this season has been attributed in large part to Richardson's inaccuracy. After mustering at least 925 receiving yards in each of the previous three regular seasons, Pittman's on pace for only 691 receiving yards in 2024, with just 366 yards through nine games. Picking up the pace won't be easy in Week 10 against Buffalo's stout secondary.

NOVEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Submits full practice Pittman (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Pittman sat out Wednesday's session, but his ability to log every rep in practice a day later clears up any concern about his status heading into Sunday's contest versus the Vikings. After signing a three-year, $70 million extension with the Colts in March, Pittman has slumped to a 29-352-2 receiving line on 53 targets through the team's first eight games, but his fantasy outlook should be rosier moving forward after head coach Shane Steichen announced that Joe Flacco will replace Anthony Richardson as the starting quarterback. While Flacco made two starts and an extended appearance off the bench in place of an injured Richardson from Weeks 4 through 6, Pittman produced 14 catches for 185 yards and scored both of his touchdowns on the season.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Pittman (back) returned to practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact The same applies to fellow WR Josh Downs (toe), as the Colts continue to manage the duo's practice reps. Thursday's injury report will reveal Pittman's official participation level, but it's worth noting that a week ago he advanced to full participation after missing Wednesday's session.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

Misses another Wednesday practice Pittman (back) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact The same applies to Josh Downs (toe), though it's worth noting that the duo's practice reps have been managed of late, and that they both also missed the last three Wednesday practice sessions. Pittman -- who logged a 95 percent snap share in this past Sunday's 23-20 loss to Texans, en route to catching one of his six targets for 16 yards -- now has two more chances to upgrade to full participation ahead of this weekend's game against the Vikings. Assuming he's available for the contest, the wideout's fantasy prospects should be bolstered by the installation of Joe Flacco as the Colts' QB going forward.

OCTOBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Week 9 Locker Talk: Zaire Franklin, Michael Pittman Jr., Trey Sermon, Kylen Granson and Kenny Moore II Zaire Franklin, Michael Pittman Jr., Trey Sermon, Kylen Granson and Kenny Moore II meet with the media as the Colts prepare to face the Minn...

OCTOBER 30 • COLTS.COM

Colts' Michael Pittman Jr. Says He Learned Anthony Richardson News From Social Media Indianapolis is on shaky ground halfway through the season.

OCTOBER 30 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

More inefficiency with Richardson Pittman secured one of six targets for 16 yards in the Colts' 23-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Impact Pittman struggled through another game with Anthony Richardson as his quarterback, finishing a very distant second to Josh Downs in receiving yards on the afternoon. Pittman has now finished under 40 receiving yards in three of the last four games, and he's therefore on track to finish with his lowest numbers across the board since his rookie 2020 campaign.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

More inefficiency with Richardson Pittman secured one of six targets for 16 yards in the Colts' 23-20 loss to the Texans on Sunday.

Impact Pittman struggled through another game with Anthony Richardson as his quarterback, finishing a very distant second to Josh Downs in receiving yards on the afternoon. Pittman has now finished under 40 receiving yards in three of the last four games, and he's therefore on track to finish with his lowest numbers across the board since his rookie 2020 campaign.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

HIGHLIGHT: Michael Pittman Jr.'s first catch of the day goes for 16 yards Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.'s first catch of the day goes for 16 yards against the Houston Texans.

OCTOBER 27 • COLTS.COM

No Week 8 injury designation Pittman (back) doesn't carry an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Texans.

Impact After practicing fully Thursday, Pittman didn't practice Friday, but given that he heads into the weekend minus an injury designation, his non-participation was presumably maintenance-related as he continues to work through a back issue. With fellow WR Josh Downs (groin/toe) and top RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) also cleared for Week 8 action, the Colts offense is as healthy as it's been for some time as QB Anthony Richardson makes his second straight start after having missed time with an oblique injury. Through seven games to date, Pittman has compiled a 28/336/2 receiving line on 47 targets, a rate of production down from last season's pace, but still enough to merit fantasy lineup consideration.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Friday Pittman (back) wasn't participating in Friday's practice, Nate Atkins of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact After missing Wednesday's practice, Pittman worked fully Thursday. However, Atkins suggests that the wideout's apparent non-participation Friday could be rest-related, rather than indicative of a setback with the back issue he's been working through. Either way, the Colts' upcoming injury report will reveal whether Pittman carries an injury designation in advance of Sunday's game against the Texans.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Puts in full practice Pittman (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Last week, Pittman sandwiched missed practices Wednesday and Friday around a full session Thursday before playing in Sunday's 16-10 win over the Dolphins and finishing with three catches on 63 yards on five targets. He may be following a similar path this week, as he sat out Wednesday's session before logging every rep Thursday. The Colts will wait and see what Pittman is able to do during Friday's practice before determining whether he'll avoid a designation or take a questionable tag into this Sunday's matchup with the Texans.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to practice Pittman (back) participated in practice Thursday, James Boyd of The Athletic reports.

Impact Pittman was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's session, but his presence a day later suggests that the Colts may simply be managing the wideout's practice reps as he works through a back issue. The team's upcoming injury report will clarify Pittman's participation level in his return to practice Thursday.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE