NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After days of contemplation that included an hourlong conversation with his father, the difficult decision facing Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. became clearer: a back injury that had become increasingly acute in the past week and threatened to send the veteran to injured reserve was not going to stop him from playing.
Pittman, who seemed headed for a lengthy absence early last week, did more than persevere through the pain. He also scored the Colts' decisive touchdown in Sunday's 20-17 win over Tennessee Titans .
"I can't say too much, but there was definitely decisions that could have went the other way," Pittman said of his injury. "But I just feel like we have so much left that we're playing for. So, as long as it's out there, I'm going to keep going."
Pittman made a physical 10-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Joe Flacco with 7:27 remaining, with Pittman outdueling Tennessee's No. 1 cornerback L'Jarius Sneed for the jump ball in the end zone.
Pittman then helped ice the game when he wrestled the ball away from Sneed on a tough 16-yard sideline catch with 2:12 left, forcing the Titans to use their final timeout after the ensuing two-minute warning.
It was hardly Pittman's most productive day, especially with his snaps limited by the injury. But he made the plays when they counted.
"Toughest guy I've ever been around," Colts coach Shane Steichen said of Pittman, who had three catches for 35 yards. "When we needed a play, he made the big-time play."
Said fellow receiver Alec Pierce : "Once he kind of told me what it was, I knew just from knowing him, 'Oh, he's going to play.' ... Just like how he always plays. He's super tough."
Pittman had wrestled with how to proceed for several days last week. He consulted many parties, including his father -- former NFL running back Michael Pittman Sr. -- who gave some straightforward advice that reflected the toughness he displayed during his own career.
"He just said if I felt like I could be effective, that I should play," the younger Pittman recalled. "And we sat there and we talked for an hour because I had to talk to a lot of people before I kind of made that final plan. And he was one of the people that I talked to, the closest, obviously. Because he's been there. He's played through a lot of things. So, I just kind of took his advice."
Pittman did not divulge exact details of his injury, but he acknowledged that dealing with it will be a week-to-week situation and that his status could change.
"We did consider every single option," he said. "And, honestly, [injured reserve] is still not off the table. But as long as I'm feeling, like, good and I can go out there and win routes, then I'll be out there."
Elsewhere, the Colts turned to Flacco for a second straight start as Anthony Richardson continues to deal with an oblique injury. Steichen said he decided "late in the week" to opt for Flacco because Richardson "just wasn't there yet."
Richardson, who was the Colts' emergency No. 3 QB Sunday, wanted to play but said he did not push back on his coach's decision.
"Anything for the team," Richardson told ESPN. "If they feel like it's best for me to sit another week, I'm listening to them. If they feel like it's best for me to go out there and play, I'm going to listen to them. Whatever they feel is best for the team, that's what it is."
Asked how his injury feels, Richardson said, "I'm still healing. If they would have said I was rolling this week, I would've went out there and rolled. But I'm feeling good, though. Hopefully, I get back out there next week."
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