Colts reigning lead wideout Michael Pittman Jr. from last year is expected to play Sunday against the Bears.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who’s officially designated as ‘questionable,’ is expected to play versus the Chicago Bears this Sunday afternoon:
Colts WR Michael Pittman, listed as questionable for Sunday due to back and calf injuries, is expected to play vs. the Bears, per source. pic.twitter.com/C22thQcJfj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 22, 2024
Pittman Jr. has not practiced at all this week for the Colts, per the team’s injury report.
Perhaps limited by those recent injuries last week, the Colts’ reigning lead wideout from the 2023 campaign has had an unusually quiet start to his 2024 season, recording just 7 receptions for 52 receiving yards over Indianapolis’s first two games.
So far, Pittman Jr. hasn’t been able to get on quite the same page with returning Colts 2nd-year starter Anthony Richardson, and the Indy passing game collectively stalled last week:
#Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr., who was frustrated and clearly didn’t want to sound off, eventually elaborated:
“We gotta hit our base plays because we can’t always just rely on the big shots. We just gotta find ways to get completions, positive runs and just stay on the field.” https://t.co/yjWA99c3x8
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) September 15, 2024
How much of that is attributable to Pittman Jr.’s recent lingering injuries remains unclear, but the Colts could have their top four wideouts all healthy, with 2nd-year starting slot Josh Downs (ankle) also projected to play this Sunday for the first time in 2024 against the Bears.
Not only will having the big bodied Pittman Jr. help in the receiving game (assuming he’s healthy enough to make a meaningful impact on Sunday), but he’s also one of the Colts’ top perimeter run blockers at wide receiver, which could be a big boost to an Indy ground game that finally got on track last week—as star workhorse Jonathan Taylor went over 100 rushing yards and averaged a whopping 8.6 yards per carry on 12 total carries.
