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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. faced a tough decision leading up to Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans. Battling a back injury that could have put him on injured reserve, Pittman had to decide if he would play. After talking to his father, former NFL running back Michael Pittman Sr., he made the choice to suit up.
Pittman not only played, but he also delivered a key performance in the Colts’ 20-17 win. With 7:27 left in the game, he made a 10-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Joe Flacco, outmuscling Tennessee’s top cornerback, L’Jarius Sneed, for the ball in the end zone.
Later, Pittman secured the victory with a clutch 16-yard catch on the sideline, again battling Sneed for the ball. This forced the Titans to use their final timeout, helping the Colts close out the game.
“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.”
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.”
Father’s Guidance Influences Pittman’s Decision
Pittman’s teammate, wide receiver Alec Pierce, wasn’t surprised by his decision to play, saying, “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 shared that his father’s advice helped him decide. “He told me if I felt like I could be effective, I should play. We talked for an hour, and I took his advice,” Pittman said.
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.”
Injury Status Remains Uncertain for Pittman
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.”
Pittman acknowledged that his injury could be a week-to-week issue and that his status might change, but for now, he’s staying in the game. “As long as I can go out there and win routes, I’ll be out there,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Colts started Joe Flacco at quarterback for the second straight game as rookie Anthony Richardson continues to recover from an oblique injury. Richardson was listed as the emergency quarterback on Sunday.
“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.”
This report used information from ESPN.
