Source: Todd Rosenberg / Getty
INDIANAPOLIS – It appears the Colts have more insult from another loss in Jacksonville.
Playing through a persistent back injury in 2024 is no longer going to be the case for Michael Pittman Jr., according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Schefter’s Wednesday evening report has Pittman Jr. likely to miss multiple games, with a stint on injured reserve (must miss at least 4 games if on IR) not yet ruled out.
The Colts (2-3) bye week is not until Week 14.
Back in Week 3, Pittman Jr. missed the final practice of the week with a back injury. He was listed as questionable for that game with the Bears, but still played. That’s the only time he has appeared on the injury report this season, until Wednesday.
Pittman Jr. was not practicing on Wednesday, but did observe practice. Josh Downs also missed Wednesday’s practice due to a toe injury.
In 2023, the Colts didn’t have Pittman Jr. for one game and his absence was felt significantly.
In 2024 though, the Colts should be better equipped to handle the loss of their top wideout.
Alec Pierce has already shown the ability to be a huge deep ball threat. The return of Downs has given the Colts a dynamic option out of the slot. And AD Mitchell has proved he can beat NFL coverage, but an unquestioned jump will be needed from the rookie showing hesitancy in finishing plays.
Pittman Jr. has actually had a quieter start to this season, outside of a 6-catch, 113-game against the Steelers. In the other 4 contests, MPJ hasn’t had more than 5 catches or 40 yards in any of those games.
Still though, he’s played 87 percent of the team’s offensive snaps, the most of any Colts skill player, including playing 62 of the 70 snaps against the Jaguars.
Outside of a concussion last December, Pittman Jr. has only missed time in the NFL due to two injuries: 3 games in 2020 due to a calf strain and 1 game in 2022 to a quad injury.
The loss of Pittman Jr. is another notable name the Colts will have to play without.
Already this season, the Colts have played games without Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, Ryan Kelly, DeForest Buckner, Samson Ebukam, Tyquan Lewis, Kenny Moore II, JuJu Brents and Julian Blackmon.
Depth will once again be tested as the Colts are in a stretch of 4 road games in 5 weeks.
If you are looking for optimism, two items stand out.
One, unlike last year, the Colts wideout group has shown more ability with multiple options. That’s a far cry from recent years.
Two, the Colts play two struggling offenses in each of the next two weeks in the Titans and Dolphins. Could Indy weather things before a tougher stretch follows near the midway point of the season?
And, on the health front, it does appear Richardson, Kelly, Paye and Moore II are all trending to a return soon. Buckner’s stay on IR is for at least one more game.
Shane Steichen will next meet the media after Friday’s final practice of the week.
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