The always tenacious Michael Pittman Jr. will ‘tough it out,’ but it’s a fair question of how effective he’ll be battling through a nagging back injury again, versus the Tennessee Titans.
After recently consulting with several doctors and specialists, Indianapolis Colts wideout Michael Pittman Jr. (back), who’s officially ‘questionable,’ will attempt to play through a lingering back injury—even though an injured reserve stint was initially contemplated by both him and the team (per Fox Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz):
#Colts star WR Michael Pittman Jr. has decided he will try to play through the nagging back injury that’s been hampering him, per sources.
Pittman and the team strongly considered IR after seeing several doctors and specialists, but the plan for now is to continue playing. He’s… https://t.co/PH4pHDTk7u pic.twitter.com/zc2jQyPFgx
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) October 11, 2024
It was reported earlier this week that an injured reserve stint was a possibility for Pittman Jr.
That being said, Pittman Jr. has always been known for his toughness and tenacity out on the football field, so it’s not necessarily a surprise that he’s hoping to persevere through his nagging back’s persistent pain.
However, the Colts’ reigning lead wideout from last season has surprisingly gotten off to a slow start through 5 starts to begin the 2024 campaign with just 22 receptions for 238 receiving yards (10.8 ypr. avg.) and a touchdown reception—which his lone score occurred during last weekend’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Even with veteran Joe Flacco last Sunday, who’s considered further along and more polished as a passer than injured starter Anthony Richardson, Pittman Jr. was held to 8 receptions for 37 receiving yards otherwise against one of the NFL’s worst secondaries.
That recent drop in production could be attributable to his lingering back injury—along with an earlier calf injury (no longer listed), which the back injury first flared up on the team’s official injury report entering Week 3 of this year’s regular season.
Given how limited and arguably ineffective Pittman Jr. has been playing through the nagging back injury—compared to his usually routine high-level of play and production, and it’s a fair question of whether some rest (*which would be for at least 4 games on injured reserve) would do him wonders these days.
If Pittman Jr. is eventually shut down—even as soon as this Sunday against the rival Tennessee Titans, it would likely mean a boost in playing time and production for rookie AD Mitchell, who while has flashed in his route running, has disappointingly (and rather surprisingly) shied away from physical contact so far—which didn’t plague him in college at the University of Texas.
Otherwise, it’ll mean more targets for a pair of starters, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs—both of whom have gotten hot in the receiving game in more recent weeks. Of course, with Pierce going deep, and Downs in the middle of the field, manning the slot again.
