Colts HC Shane Steichen says WR Michael Pittman Jr. (back) will play Sunday against the Dolphins.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

Even though Pittman has be cleared, he should remain on benches in all but the deepest leagues. This would have been a decent spot if Tua Tagovailoa were playing on the other side, but this game could easily turn into a slog.

Colts WR Michael Pittman is dealing with a back injury that is now expected to sideline him multiple weeks, per sources. Injured reserve is an option.

Related Players: Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

This should push Downs into WR2 consideration, regardless of whether or not Anthony Richardson returns in Week 6. Pierce, and now, Mitchell become more interesting as respective WR3/Desperation Flex options.

Shane Steichen rules Julian Blackmon out versus Green Bay. Shane says he doesn't expect it to be a long term thing.

DeForest Buckner will be a game time decision - Shane optimistic he'll play. Adds Josh Downs will be a GTD also.

Matt Gay will kick.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

It's not a great matchup against a Packers team that looks to be starting Malik Willis, but Anthony Richardson once again proved that he's willing to throw bombs early and often. It'll be a coinflip as to whether Pierce or Mitchell is the one who will come down with a deep ball in Downs presumptive absence, but the correct guess could equate to a WR3 week. They are both extreme boom/bust options.

Colts WR Josh Downs, who’s had a great camp, was just tackled to the ground and came up with an apparent ankle injury. Had to helped off the field and did not put weight on the lower leg.

Related Players: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell

The 3-wide set has been Pittman, Downs, and Pierce throughout camp, with Downs seemingly locked into the No. 2 role. If Downs ends up missing time, this will allow rookie Adonai Mitchell to see the field more often, regardless of his progression ahead of Year 1. This would be a huge boost to his fantasy stock considering he was trending towards a rotational role.

The Colts’ most intriguing position battle throughout training camp will be at wide receiver, with Alec Pierce and rookie Adonai Mitchell battling to secure the third spot alongside Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.

Boyd surmises that Pierce may have "plateaued", which gives us insight into why the Colts targeted Mitchell in the second round of the NFL Draft. Even if the rookie wins the job, Mitchell's place in redraft leagues is iffy at best. He currently ranks outside the top-80 in 4for4's rankings.

Jelani Woods missed all of the 2023 season due to hamstring injuries, but he offers something none of the other tight ends have shown, an impressive size-speed combination that could make him a devastating downfield target.

Indianapolis will likely use at least three tight ends heavily on offense this season.

Related players: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor

Pittman and Downs are the team's top-two WRs with rookie Mitchell and Pierce also battling it out for time. Granson led the way at TE last year but as the story said Woods has the potential to bust out. The use of three TEs certainly indicates the Colts are going to be run-heavy this season. However, any of the team's TEs could be passing options as well in that formation, so the situation is worth monitoring this summer.

For the #Colts and Michael Pittman Jr., it's a 3-year, $70M deal that can reach up to $71.5M max. $46M guaranteed.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs

This is a good look for the Colts to scrap the franchise tag and get QB Anthony Richardson a solid cornerstone as he continues to adapt to the NFL. Look for Indy to continue adding to the pass-catching group in the NFL Draft next month.

Colts’ WR Michael Pittman Jr. cleared concussion protocol and is on track to play Sunday vs. the Raiders.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, D.J. Montgomery

Pittman was ruled out late in the week ahead of what looked like a good on-paper matchup against the Falcons. He was clearly missed, as the passing offense never got going with any consistency. Now that he is cleared in time to play Week 17, he should be considered a WR2 against the Raiders.

This is not a declarative statement about their statuses for Sunday, but WR Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) and RT Braden Smith (knee) were very active in today’s practice. Smith looked like a guy ready to play IMO.

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, D.J. Montgomery

Pittman was ruled out late in the week ahead of what looked like a good on-paper matchup against the Falcons. He was clearly missed, as the passing offense never got going with any consistency. If he is cleared in time to play Week 17, he should be considered a WR2 against the Raiders.

Steichen confirms WR Michael Pittman Jr. is still in concussion protocol, "but he's progressing well."

Related Players: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, D.J. Montgomery

Pittman was ruled out late in the week ahead of what looked like a good on-paper matchup against the Falcons. He was clearly missed, as the passing offense never got going with any consistency. If he is cleared in time to play Week 17, he should be considered a WR2 against the Raiders.