Colts taking things ‘week to week’ as Michael Pittman Jr. continues battling through back injury

As Michael Pittman Jr. continues to work through his back injury, the fifth-year wide receiver is not using being banged up to paper over his decreased production over the last few weeks.

Pittman has one catch in each of his last two games; he hasn’t had two or fewer catches in consecutive games since Weeks 14-15 of his rookie year. Pittman has led the Colts in receptions in each of the last three seasons, and in 2023 became the fourth player in Colts history to have at least 100 catches and over 1,000 yards in a single season, joining Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.

“I’m not going to make excuses,” Pittman said. “If I’m out there, I’m out there.”

Head coach Shane Steichen said following the Colts’ Week 9 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, in which Pittman had season-lows in targets (four) and yards (14), that he’s looking for ways to get Pittman involved earlier in games.

“Obviously he’s dealing with some stuff but trying to get him the ball as well,” Steichen said.

“It’s definitely frustrating because I feel like I need to do better,” Pittman said, “and I’m trying to find ways to do that whether it’s extra film work, rehab, just finding ways around it and trying to find the best system.”