Michael Pittman Jr. returns to practice, but is questionable for Titans along with Anthony Richardson; Jonathan Taylor ruled out

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts are keeping everyone guessing.

Will Anthony Richardson return to the starting lineup Sunday in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans?

Is there a chance Michael Pittman Jr. plays after a source revealed this week the Colts’ leading receiver was dealing with a back injury that likely would sideline him for a few games and might require placing him on the injured reserve list?

On Friday, coach Shane Steichen ruled out running back Jonathan Taylor for a second game with a sprained right ankle but offered no clarity on Richardson or Pittman.

Richardson was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Friday and full-go on Thursday after missing the Jacksonville game with an oblique injury. That’s normally an indication a player is trending in the direction of playing in the upcoming game.

“He’ll be questionable for the game,’’ Steichen said. “A game-time decision, but he did practice this week. Looked good.’’

It’s not a stretch to assume Richardson is back under center against the Titans. He took a good portion of the starting reps and it could be detrimental to the offense to then turn to backup Joe Flacco.

“He made huge strides this week,’’ Steichen said of Richardson.

On Wednesday, Richardson admitted he felt “way better” this week compared to the previous week.

“Yeah, for sure,’’ he said. “I can run. I can throw. I can do the stuff that they want me to do in the offense.’’

Pittman’s situation is more problematic.

He didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday with a back injury. A source with knowledge of the situation said a decision regarding Pittman’s status would be made “later in the week’’ after team doctors evaluated an MRI.

The team was prepared for Pittman to miss a game or two and hadn’t ruled out placing him on the injured reserve list, which would require him to miss four games.

Then, Pittman went through Friday’s practice.

“Yeah, full,’’ he said. “Or whatever it says on the practice report.

“I feel like I can still go out there and be effective.’’

Pittman is off to a quiet start: 22 catches for 238 yards and one TD. He had his best game against Pittsburgh in week 4 with six catches for 113 yards.

Pittman indicated he’s been dealing with a back injury for several weeks. He missed a Friday practice prior to the week 3 game against the Chicago Bears and was questionable with back and calf issues.

“It kind of just flares up every now and then,’’ Pittman said, “but just something we’ve been dealing with.’’

He apparently encountered no setbacks in practice, but Pittman wasn’t certain how the next few days will unfold.

“We still don’t know what course of action is going to happen,’’ he said. “I’m just doing everything to put myself in the best situation to try and play because I want to be out there for everybody in here.

“We’ll see what happens, but nothing’s guaranteed. Everything is still on the table.’’

Is there a chance Pittman might worsen the back injury by playing?

“There’s a lot of things I consider,’’ he said. “That’s what football is. Sometimes football hurts.

“I think it’s going to be up to Shane. I’m just doing everything that I can do to try to show him I’m ready to go. We’ll see what happens.

“Everything is still on the table.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.