Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. was taken to the locker room to be checked for a concussion after taking a brutal hit across from Safety Damontae Kazee. What is the latest injury update on Pittman, and what could it mean for the Colts’ and Fantasy managers?
Latest Michael Pittman Name Injury Update
The initial moments after the hit did not look good for Pittman as he lay prone on the turf in Lucas Oil Stadium. The WR was diving for a reception when he was hit by Kazee. Fortunately, Pittman was able to get up and walk off the field accompanied by the trainers. Kazee was ejected from the game.
#Steelers S Damontae Kazee has been ejected from the game for this hit on #Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman was able to walk off the field under his own power.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 16, 2023
Initially, the Colts took Pittman into the blue tent before taking him to the locker room. The Colts quickly announced that Pittman was being evaluated for a concussion. Shortly afterward, the Colts ruled Pittman out for the game due to a concussion.
After the game, Pittman took to social media to let his fans know that he was alright.
I’m all good😁
— MPJ (@MikePitt_Jr) December 17, 2023
It will now be a race against time for Pittman to be ready for the Colts’ Week 16 game with the Atlanta Falcons. The average timetable for a concussion this season has been slightly over a week, and Pittman has eight days to work his way through the protocol in order to have a chance to return next week.
MORE: Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart
Pittman has been a huge part of the Colts offense this season. Prior to the injury he had 78 receiving yards on four receptions. Included in that was a 42-yard reception that set up Zack Moss’ touchdown run.
Entering Week 15, Pittman had 984 yards on the season at an average of 75.7 yards per game. He topped 1,000 yards for the second time in his career during Week 15 and tied a career-high in receptions at 99. Pittman was on pace to set a new career high for receiving yards this season.
In the past three games since the Colts’ bye, Pittman has topped 100 receiving yards twice and added 95 yards last week. He was averaging 102.33 yards per game over the past three weeks and found the end zone for the fourth time this season against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.
Fantasy Impact of Pittman’s Injury
Pittman has been a target magnet all season long, and this injury opens up a lot of usage for a Colts schedule that is friendly moving forward (at ATL, vs. LV).
At the time of his injury, Zack Moss was second in line in terms of targets (three) against the Steelers, while Josh Downs and Alec Pierce had two apiece. Given the time in the fantasy season, how you value those two receivers depends entirely on your situation.
In PPR leagues, I much prefer Downs, whose aDOT is 52.9% lower than that of Pierce, and his target earning ability has proven to be more stable. That said, there is no denying the per-catch upside of Pierce (14.8 yards per catch for his career entering Week 15).
If you were counting on Pittman in a significant way and are now swimming upstream, Pierce is the swing-for-the-fences add. If Downs is on your waiver wire and you’re competitive team, he’s the priority given the elevated floor that comes with the routes he runs.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe