Report: Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. is battling back injury that could put him on IR

The Colts could be without their reigning lead wideout due to a back injury, which could eventually require an IR stint.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is battling a back injury that is expected to hold him out of action for multiple weeks—with a stint on injured reserve still being considered:

Of course, it should come as no surprise then that Pittman Jr. did not practice on Wednesday—and presumably won’t return to the practice field for quite a while now.

Since signing a 3-year, $70 million contract extension this past offseason, the 5th-year wideout, who was the Colts leading receiver last year, has had a relatively quiet start to the 2024 campaign—with just 22 receptions for 238 receiving yards and a touchdown reception through 5 starts. However, he did catch his first and lone touchdown reception last week.

However, it’s possible that lingering initial injuries have limited some of Pittman’s receiving effectiveness out there, who also had a listed back/calf injury to start the 2024 season.

If there’s a silver lining, the Colts have continued to receive recent increased receiving production from their other starting receivers such as Alec Pierce and Josh Downs.

However, the Colts would likely expect more from wideout AD Mitchell along the outside if Pittman were to be absent on game days, which the talented rookie has so far surprisingly shied away from potential contact during contested catch opportunities—which simply can’t continue to have consistent success at the pro level.