Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. returned to action after a one-week absence and led his team in targets on Sunday with eight, hauling in five of them for 46 yards in a 28-27 nailbiter win over the Jets in Week 11. It was only the third time this season in 10 games played that the fifth-year pro eclipsed the 40-yard plateau and only the third time he's caught five or more passes. Still, with Anthony Richardson looking like a competent quarterback on Sunday, there may be better days ahead for the 27-year-old. Look for the 6-foot-4 wideout to be a fringe WR3 in Week 12, especially with six teams on bye.
Nov 17, 2024 9:58 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will play in Week 11 on Sunday against the New York Jets after missing the Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Pittman has been dealing with a back injury for a while now, but it finally caused him to miss a game last week. The writing was on the wall for him to return this weekend, though, after he returned to a full practice on Wednesday. It's good news for the Colts' offense, but the 27-year-old pass-catcher will still be a shaky fantasy play with quarterback Anthony Richardson and his accuracy issues returning to the starting job. Additionally, the Jets defense has allowed the fewest half-PPR points per game to opposing receivers in 2024. Pittman has been outside the top-50 receivers in terms of average PPR points scored per game this season.
Nov 15, 2024 1:27 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was back on the practice field for the second straight day on Thursday. Pittman has been dealing with a back injury for a while now and missed the Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, he was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday, signaling that he could return this Sunday to face the New York Jets, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback. It's good news for the Colts, but fantasy managers will justifiably have some reservations about starting the 27-year-old wideout this weekend, especially with struggling second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson getting his starting job back against a formidable defense. Pittman is Indy's WR1 when healthy, but it's led to only a 30-366-2 line through nine games in 2024. If he's active against the Jets, Pittman should be viewed as more of a touchdown-dependent WR3/flex.
Nov 14, 2024 12:50 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was listed as a full practice participant for the first walkthrough session of the week on Wednesday. It's a bit surprising that Pittman was a full-go on Wednesday after missing the Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills with a back injury that he's been dealing with for a while now. As long as the 27-year-old doesn't suffer any setbacks with his back injury later this week, he appears to be primed to play in Week 11 against the Detroit Lions on the road. However, he'll still be a pretty shaky fantasy option with second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson returning to the starting role under center this weekend. Pittman is averaging just 7.1 half-PPR points per game in 2024 and has gone over 100 receiving yards in a game just once (back in Week 4). The emergence of Josh Downs as a more consistent receiving threat for the Colts hasn't helped Pittman's cause.
Nov 13, 2024 5:04 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) has officially been ruled out for the Week 10 contest on Sunday versus the visiting Buffalo Bills after missing practice all week, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Pittman has been battling a back injury in recent weeks but hasn't missed any game action until now. He will now look to rest up so that he can hopefully return for a Week 11 clash on the road against the New York Jets. With Pittman now out this weekend, it essentially makes receiver Josh Downs a must-start as quarterback Joe Flacco's likely go-to passing target in a game in which the Colts will likely have to throw often to keep up on the scoreboard. In addition to Downs seeing more targets, the flex-play appeal of both Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell goes up for those in deeper leagues.
Nov 8, 2024 1:24 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is not practicing on Thursday after logging a "DNP" on Wednesday. The 2020 second-round pick has missed several Wednesday practices before returning on Thursday this year, but his absence two days in a row could suggest he's at real risk of missing Week 10. Fantasy managers should monitor his status on Friday, but he's become an unattractive fantasy option in 2024. The USC alum has scored double-digit half-PPR fantasy points in just three of his nine games this year and totaled just 4.0 fantasy points over the last two weeks. If he plays, it will be against the Buffalo Bills, who have allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts.
Nov 7, 2024 2:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was not seen at Wednesday's practice, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The USC product has been dealing with a lingering back injury throughout the past month but has yet to miss any games due to it. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the week, but given his track record, he should be expected to return to practice later in the week. Pittman had another disappointing showing last weekend, as he brought in just one of his four targets for just 14 yards. Since Week 7, Pittman has not eclipsed double-digit PPR points in a single game and has caught just one pass in two of those weeks. If the 27-year-old suits up this weekend, he should be viewed as a risky WR3 facing a tough Buffalo secondary that has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts.
Nov 6, 2024 4:08 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught one of four targets for 14 scoreless yards in Sunday night's 21-13 loss to the Vikings. So much for Joe Flacco boosting the fantasy value of the receiving group. After catching no less than three passes in any of the season's first seven games, Pittman now has back-to-back weeks with just a single catch. Perhaps he and Joe Flacco can get back on the same page in Week 10, with the two previously hooking up for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the three prior games they played together earlier this season. It won't be easy though, as the Bills are on tap next Sunday, a defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers so far in 2024. Until he displays some chemistry with Flacco again, Pittman will be hard to trust as anything more than a WR3/4.
Nov 4, 2024 11:31 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) has been removed from the final injury report despite being limited in practice on Friday. The 27-year-old has posted mixed results this season, benefitting greatly from Joe Flacco while struggling to form a rapport with Anthony Richardson. Fortunately for Pittman, Richardson was benched for Flacco earlier this week. Pittman has 185 yards and two touchdowns through parts of three games with the veteran quarterback in 2024, and he should continue to rank as a mid-to-low fantasy WR2 for Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.
Nov 2, 2024 9:36 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) both logged a full practice on Thursday according to James Boyd of The Athletic. This is a great sign as both wideouts were non-participants during Wednesday's initial practice session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor their status during Friday's practice in case they face a setback. Pittman has been dealing with this back injury for a few weeks but has not missed any games. Downs has also been dealing with a lingering injury but has also not missed any time due to it. Both wideouts should be viewed as a solid options this weekend as they will face the Minnesota Vikings who have allowed the most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
Oct 31, 2024 4:40 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (toe) and Michael Pittman Jr. (back) did not practice on Wednesday. Both players have been battling their respective injuries for several weeks and have missed several consecutive Wednesday practices. Neither player was restricted in Week 8 so their lack of activity appears to be related to rest rather than a setback in their injuries. The Colts will need a full complement of wide receivers as they turn to Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback after benching Anthony Richardson this week. Both players have put up solid numbers with Joe Flacco under center for parts of three games in 2024. Downs has especially been a target hog since he first took the field in Week 3. He has earned nine or more targets in four of six games. In three games with Flacco playing a significant amount of snaps, Pittman saw a total of 23 targets. Both players are in a great position to see serious volume as the Colts will likely start to complete a significant amount of passes with Flacco. Fantasy managers should monitor the status of both leading up to the weekend, but for now, there is no cause for concern.
Oct 30, 2024 6:44 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was able to corral just one of his six targets in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Texans, gaining a measly six yards in the contest. Fellow wide receiver Josh Downs was the only Colt who snared more than one pass from quarterback Anthony Richardson, who completed just 10 of 32 passes in the game. Pittman was a DNP at practice on Friday, but it was Richardson's inefficiency that was more to blame than his lingering back issue as the six targets were the most he'd seen since Week 5. Unless Joe Flacco gets back under center for the Colts, this receiving corps looks poised to be very volatile for the foreseeable future and it will be hard to predict which one of the pass catchers will lead the team each week. Having a Week 9 date with the Vikings on the road in Minnesota likely won't make things any easier near-term, although several receivers have posted solid fantasy performances against that group, but with Richardson at the helm, the 27-year-old is probably nothing more than a boom/bust WR3/4.
Oct 28, 2024 10:17 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was not practicing on Friday according to Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. This is surprising as Pittman was a full participant during Thursday's practice after sitting out on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the 27-year-old's status throughout the weekend as he may carry an injury designation if he faced a setback. Pittman has been dealing with a lingering back injury over the past few weeks but has been able to play in every game. If he is able to suit up once again, fantasy managers should view him as a low-end WR2 facing the Houston Texans who have allowed the 21st-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.
Oct 25, 2024 1:24 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Josh Downs (toe) and Michael Pittman Jr. (back) are on the practice field on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with toe and back injuries, respectively. The pair of Indy wideouts have logged "DNPs" or limited practice sessions often this year, and that will likely continue as they work through their ailments. Fantasy managers should follow their latest updates, but both wideouts have lower floors and ceilings with Anthony Richardson at quarterback instead of Joe Flacco. Although the Houston Texans have allowed the 10th-most fantasy points per game to receivers this year, neither is a must-start stud given Richardson's struggles as a passer. Consider both WR4 or WR5 types with a touchdown-or-bust outlook. If one or both of them do not play on Sunday, Alec Pierce will carry the same outlook.
Oct 24, 2024 2:25 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. (back) and Josh Downs (toe) were both not seen at practice on Wednesday. Pittman and Downs were also rested last Wednesday, so as long as they return to practice on Thursday or Friday, it seems likely they'll both be active for Week 8 against the division-rival Houston Texans after they both played in the Week 7 win over the Miami Dolphins. Pittman nearly went on Injured Reserve initially after sustaining a back injury, so it's an injury that he could be playing through for a while. He played 89% of the offensive snaps last Sunday and caught three passes for 63 yards in quarterback Anthony Richardson's return. Downs had just one catch for three yards. Given Richardson's inconsistency as a passer early in his career, both Pittman and Downs figure to be more volatile from a fantasy standpoint.
Oct 23, 2024 5:12 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught three of his five targets for 63 yards in the team's 16-10 win over the Miami Dolphins. Pittman accounted for almost half of Indianapolis' receiving yards on Sunday, with quarterback Anthony Richardson throwing for just 129 yards in the contest. Most of Pittman's production came from a 33-yard throw from Richardson in the first half that set up a field goal before the half expired. Like the rest of Indy's pass-catchers, their ceilings take quite a hit with Richardson as the starter, but Pittman showed today he still provides a solid floor and can be trusted moving forward. He can be viewed as a WR3 option in Week 8 when the Colts take on the Houston Texans.
Oct 21, 2024 1:14 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is officially active for Week 7 against the Miami Dolphins. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction ahead of kickoff. Pittman averaged 3.7 catches, 29.3 yards, and zero touchdowns per game with Anthony Richardson under center, and those averages jumped to 4.7 catches, 61.7 yards, and 0.7 touchdowns when Joe Flacco replaced the injured Richardson. Now that Richardson is healthy and has reclaimed his starting job, we'll see whether Pittman can keep up his hot stretch of games. Even if the passing offense does take a step backward under Richardson, Pittman is still talented enough to be deployed as a fantasy WR3/FLEX.
Oct 20, 2024 11:34 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is anticipated to play in Sunday's matchup with the Miami Dolphins. His back issue isn't anything new, and it's not expected to go away anytime soon. However, as long as the wideout's condition doesn't take a turn for the worse, he should continue to play moving forward. Pittman has scored in each of his last two games. Unfortunately, he's only caught more than four passes twice this season. Still, Pittman should always be considered a starting fantasy option, even with Josh Downs (toe) and Alec Pierce (shoulder) in line to suit up.
Oct 20, 2024 12:35 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Pittman opened the week sitting out during Wednesday's practice but then upgraded to full participation on Thursday. However, he was downgraded to a non-participant on Friday, which is not a positive sign for his status. However, Pittman has been able to play through this back injury over the past few weeks and could very well see his typical workload on Sunday. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status throughout the weekend and should feel comfortable starting him as a low-end WR2 if he can play.
Oct 18, 2024 4:14 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) upgraded to a full practice session on Thursday after he was listed as a DNP on Wednesday. Pittman missed two practices last week before practicing in full on Friday and playing in the Week 6 win over the division-rival Tennessee Titans. The 27-year-old pass-catcher said after the win over the Titans that his back injury could still land him on Injured Reserve, but the fact that he's back to a full practice on Thursday likely means he'll be available again this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. However, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for Pittman after he played a season-low in offensive snaps last week. If not for a jump-ball touchdown, he would have disappointed with only three catches for 35 yards. Outside of a 100-yard game in Week 4, Pittman hasn't gone over 40 receiving yards in 2024.
Oct 17, 2024 8:45 PM EST
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