Wednesday’s injury report offers some cautious optimism as Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman recovers from a nasty hit that landed him in the concussion protocol.
Pittman exited Saturday’s 30-13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers early after getting leveled in the head by safety Damontae Kazee. Officials ejected Kazee, who was later suspended for the rest of the regular season.
The Colts only held a walk-through Wednesday, but they estimated that Pittman would have been a limited practice participant.
With today’s walk-through, Wednesday’s practice report is only an estimation of a player’s participation if there was a practice. pic.twitter.com/axM5YDoIIO
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) December 20, 2023
Pittman has already matched last season’s career-high 99 receptions with 1,062 yards, 20 yards away from his personal-best tally from 2021. The 26-year-old has exceeded 75 yards in each of the last five games.
On Tuesday, Colts head coach Shane Steichen told Pat McAfee that Pittman is “feeling good” following Saturday’s alarming blow.
“Tough as nails,” Steichen said. “You want to talk about the definition of toughness? It’s Michael Pittman.”
At 8-6, the Colts are tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans atop the AFC South. The Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills are also vying for wild-card spots with the same record.
If Pittman doesn’t clear the concussion protocol, Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew must rely on young wideouts Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and D.J. Montgomery.
“I got a lot of confidence in those guys,” Minshew said, per the team site. “The tight ends have stepped up and played well, D.J. coming off the bench, our running backs out of the backfield – I think everybody can kind of elevate and we’ll be able to figure it out.”
However, Indianapolis could welcome back another star skill-position player. The Colts also estimated that running back Zack Moss would have missed Wednesday’s practice, but they listed Jonathan Taylor as a full participant. Taylor has sat out the last three games with a thumb injury.
Indianapolis will look to keep pace in the standings when facing the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday.