Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) falls over Jacksonville Jaguars safety Darnell Savage (6) on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. leaves practice with apparent injury

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. left practice early on Thursday with an apparent injury, according to multiple reports.

Pittman went to the ground during an 11-on-11 play but it was not clear if it was from contact. He stayed down for a few seconds and then limped off on his own. He later went with a member of the team’s medical staff into the locker room and didn’t return to practice.

The 27-year-old started 14 of the 16 games he played last season and caught 69 of 111 targets for 808 yards and three touchdowns. He revealed in April that he played through a fractured back that ultimately was determined would not require surgery. He told the Indianapolis Star that doctors fully cleared him in March.

For his career, Pittman has 405 catches for 4,470 yards and 18 TDs. His best season was in 2023, when he caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four TDs.

Indianapolis selected Pittman in the second round (34th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Aug 17, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (7) is tackled by Arizona Cardinals cornerback Darren Hall (30) during the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Colts promote WR Laquon Treadwell to roster for game vs. Bills

The Indianapolis Colts elevated wide receiver Laquon Treadwell from their practice squad to the active roster on Saturday.

Treadwell, a former first-round draft pick, will see his first action with the Colts in Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills in Indianapolis.

The Colts previously ruled out Michael Pittman Jr. for the game after the wideout failed to participate in practice throughout the week due to back and finger injuries.

Josh Downs and Alec Pierce will be the top targets for quarterback Joe Flacco on Sunday as the Colts (4-5) host the Bills (7-2).

Treadwell, 29, has 111 catches for 1,242 yards and five touchdowns in 81 career games (24 starts) with the Minnesota Vikings (2016-19), Atlanta Falcons (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2022) and Baltimore Ravens (2023). He was selected by the Vikings with the 23rd overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA;  Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) during pregame warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

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 practice all week due to back and finger injuries and the team ruled him out on Friday.

He ranks second on the team in catches (30) and third in receiving yards (366) through nine games (seven starts).

Pittman was limited to one reception in each of the Colts’ last two games, losses at Houston and Minnesota.

He has 366 catches for 4,028 yards and 17 touchdowns in 71 games since Indianapolis drafted him in the second round in 2020.

Josh Downs and Alec Pierce will be the top targets for Joe Flacco on Sunday as the Colts (4-5) host the Bills (7-2).

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) walks off the field Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, after a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Taylor did not play against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 6, 2024 due to an ankle injury.

Colts’ Jonathan Taylor out, Anthony Richardson questionable vs. Titans

Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor has been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the host Tennessee Titans, head coach Shane Steichen announced Friday.

Taylor will miss his second consecutive contest after sustaining an ankle injury in the Colts’ 27-24 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 29.

Steichen, however, noted quarterback Anthony Richardson will be listed as questionable and serve as a game-time decision against the Titans (1-3). Richardson is working his way back from an oblique injury he sustained in the game against the Steelers.

Veteran Joe Flacco would receive his second straight start should Richardson be unable to play against Tennessee. Flacco completed 33 of 44 passes for 359 yards and three touchdowns in Indianapolis’ 37-34 setback to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday.

The Colts (2-3) also did not rule out Michael Pittman Jr. despite multiple reports noting that the wide receiver would miss several weeks with a back injury. Pittman was spotted taking reps along with his teammates during Friday’s practice.

Pittman, 27, has led Indianapolis in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. He has a club-best 22 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown through five games this season after signing a three-year, $70 million extension in March.

Taylor, 25, leads the Colts in carries (72), rushing yards (349) and rushing touchdowns (four). Richardson is second on the team in carries (21) and rushing yards (141).

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Reports: Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) out multiple weeks

Already dealing with injuries to two of their top offensive players, the Indianapolis Colts were dealt another blow Wednesday as wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to miss multiple weeks with a back injury, according to multiple reports.

Pittman was likely injured during the Colts’ 37-34 loss at the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday, though he played the entire game. It is unclear whether Pittman will land on injured reserve, which would force him to miss at least four games.

The fifth-year veteran has led the Colts (2-3) in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. He has a team-leading 22 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown through five games this year after signing a three-year, $70 million extension in March.

Pittman joins quarterback Anthony Richardson (oblique) and running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) as key offensive weapons battling injuries. Both Richardson and Taylor sat out Sunday’s game in Jacksonville after getting hurt in Indianapolis’ 27-24 Week 4 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers.

Richardson was limited in his return to practice Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s Week 6 game at the Tennessee Titans (1-3). Taylor and Pittman did not practice Wednesday, nor did receiver Josh Downs (toe). Alec Pierce has 13 receptions in five games for a team-high 368 yards with a 33.5-yard average.

Pittman, 27, has 358 career receptions for 3,900 yards and 16 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) runs out of bounds as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Brandon Facyson (31) rolls at his feet Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, during a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts tag WR Michael Pittman Jr.

The Indianapolis Colts placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Tuesday ahead of the NFL deadline.

Pittman Jr. will be paid $21.82 million for the 2024 season if he doesn’t sign a long-term contract extension before July 17.

Using the non-exclusive tag blocks Pittman’s exit to free agency but permits him to discuss a contract with other teams. If Pittman signs an offer sheet, the Colts are granted refusal rights and could match the deal to retain their leading receiver. Not matching the deal would net the Colts two first-round picks in return.

General manager Chris Ballard spelled out the need for the Colts to keep Pittman when discussing free agency last week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Pittman had a team-best 109 receptions, 1,152 yards and four TD catches in 2023. He has 336 receptions for 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns in four seasons with the Colts.

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) collides with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Pittman Jr. left the field after the play.

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. out with concussion symptoms

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the host Atlanta Falcons after concussion symptoms resurfaced.

Pittman, who leads the Colts this season with 99 catches, four touchdowns and 1,062 yards in 14 games, cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol Friday before feeling symptoms after the team arrived in Atlanta.

The 26-year-old Pittman was injured on a hit last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was hit in the neck and head area by safety Damontae Kazee and was diagnosed with a concussion.

Kazee was ejected and later suspended for the rest of the regular season without pay. He will forfeit about $208,000 in salary.

Though he was cleared to play by the Colts’ medical staff and an unaffiliated specialist, Pittman said he couldn’t remember the hit.

“I honestly never saw him coming,” Pittman said. “I was diving, I caught it, and then all of a sudden, I woke up and there’s people looking down at me. I was like, ‘Oh, s—, what just happened?’”

In 60 games (54 starts) over four seasons with the Colts, Pittman has 326 receptions for 3,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Colts selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA;  Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) scores a touchdown against Houston Texans Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens (36) in the fourth quarter  at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. ‘ready to go’ vs. Chiefs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will return from a one-game injury absence to play against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs, coach Frank Reich announced Friday.

“Ready to go,” Reich said on Friday of Pittman, who sat out the Colts’ 24-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last weekend due to a quadriceps injury.

Pittman, 24, caught nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in Indianapolis’ season-opening 20-20 tie with the Houston Texans on Sept. 11.

Rookie wideout Alec Pierce is expected to play against the Chiefs after clearing concussion protocol, per Reich.

Pierce, 22, sat out last week’s game after being injured during the season opener against the Texans. He was a second-round pick of the Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Reich also announced three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Shaquille Leonard will not make his season debut on Sunday as he works his way back from offseason back surgery.

“Nothing has happened to set it back,” Reich said. “Everything has been positive. We knew it was going to be like this. … Everything has been according to plan. This is a tough injury. He’s handling it the right way. He has the right attitude.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) makes a reception during the second quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. (quadriceps) ruled out vs. Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will miss Sunday’s game at Jacksonville with a quadriceps injury.

Pittman was listed as questionable Friday after missing Thursday’s practice before being downgraded to out on Saturday.

He caught nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown in the season-opening 20-20 tie with the Houston Texans.

Pittman, 24, has played in 31 of a possible 34 regular-season games since being selected by the Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Colts already ruled out linebacker Shaquille Leonard (back) and rookie receiver Alec Pierce (concussion) for the Week 2 game against the Jaguars (0-1).

–Field Level Media