Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) took part in Thursday's training camp practice. His status is worth noting after he suffered an injury scare with his knee during OTAs in the spring. Pittman has led the Colts in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, setting career-high figures in catches (109) and receiving yards (1,152) last season. The 26-year-old star wideout will need to build chemistry with quarterback Anthony Richardson and put up more touchdowns if he wants to jump to the next level in 2024, but Pittman is the clear-cut top target in Indianapolis' offense and is shaping up as a steady WR2 pick in the third-round of 12-team fantasy drafts this summer.
Michael Pittman Jr. Aiming To Reach "Next Tier" At Wideout
After a slow start to his NFL career as a rookie, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has been productive, especially considering his quarterback situation. The USC product has averaged 98.7 receptions, 1,053 receiving yards, and 4.7 touchdowns over the last three seasons despite playing with six quarterbacks over that stretch. Heading into Year 5, Pittman Jr. is looking to enter the next tier at the position. "I need to get to that next level and reach that next tier, Pittman said. "And I think that starts with probably more touchdowns." Having a healthy Anthony Richardson all season could help, but a healthy Richardson and Jonathan Taylor could mean the team will be among the most run-heavy offenses in the NFL. Additionally, Pittman is likely to face the strongest target competition of his career alongside wideouts Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, and Alec Pierce. The 26-year-old should remain the clear No. 1 option for the Colts, but he'll need to be extra efficient and strong in the red zone to post WR1 numbers in 2024 fantasy football.
Michael Pittman Jr. Held Out Of Thursday's Practice
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) did not participate in Thursday's OTA practice, but Joel A. Erickson of Indy Star said it was for precautionary reasons. Pittman banged knees with a defender last week and limped off the field, but he is expected to be "fine". The former second-round pick has posted at least 88 receptions, 925 yards, and four touchdowns over the last three seasons, but he'll face more target competition this year. The Colts selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and 2023 third-rounder Josh Downs is expected to have an expanded role. All that said, Pittman should remain the WR1 for Anthony Richardson and post at least low-end WR2 numbers in his fifth NFL campaign.
Michael Pittman Jr. "Should Be Fine" After Leaving Practice Early
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) left Wednesday's offseason practice early after taking a fall during a team period. The 26-year-old limped off the field with trainers, but head coach Shane Steichen said he "should be fine." Pittman reportedly just bumped his knee, but organizations are going to be extra careful with their stud players at this point in the offseason. The 2020 second-round pick had an excellent 2023 campaign while playing mostly with quarterback Gardner Minshew. He caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. It's tough to know what to expect out of him with a healthy Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor to begin the 2024 season, and the team drafted Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell in the second round of last month's draft. Either way, he remains the No. 1 option in the passing game for the Colts, and another 1,000-yard season should be the expectation.
Colts, Michael Pittman Jr. Agree To Three-Year Extension
The Indianapolis Colts and standout wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. agreed to a three-year, $70 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. The deal can reach up to $71.5 million maximum and includes $46 million guaranteed. The deal means that Pittman won't play the 2024 season under the franchise tag. It's a major win for both sides. The Colts had no intentions of letting one of the best receivers in the game reach the open market, which is why they used their franchise tag on the 26-year-old to buy them a little extra time to work on an extension. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of USC had a career-high 1,152 receiving yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 109 receptions in 16 games in 2023 and is a no-doubt WR1 in fantasy.
The Indianapolis Colts are using their franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Tuesday, according to sources. The tag will be worth $21.816 million, so that's what Pittman will receive in 2024 if he and the Colts aren't able to agree on a long-term extension by the deadline in mid-July. The Colts made it clear that they weren't going to let the 26-year-old wideout reach the open market this offseason. Despite working with quarterback Gardner Minshew for the majority of 2023, the former second-rounder in 2020 out of USC put up career-highs in catches (109), targets (156) and receiving yards (1,152) while scoring four times in 16 games. Pittman is a no-doubt WR1 in fantasy that could have even more upside with young QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) returning in 2024.
Colts Not Planning On Letting Michael Pittman Jr. Go
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that impending free-agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the roster come Week 1 of the 2024 season this fall, either by an extension or the franchise tag, if necessary. The Colts aren't planning to let Pittman get away in free agency this offseason. The 26-year-old would make $21.8 million this year if he plays under the franchise tag, but both sides would prefer an extension. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of USC has blossomed into a WR1 in fantasy after four seasons in the league, two of which (including 2023) resulted in 1,000-yard seasons. Pittman had career-highs in catches (109), targets (156) and receiving yards (1,152) while scoring four times in 16 games last year. He could get even better with young quarterback Anthony Richardson returning from injury in 2024.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has acknowledged that using the franchise tag on impending free-agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. this offseason is an option. Pittman has been the team's leading receiver the past three seasons and will be one of the league's top free agents if he reaches the open market. The Colts have been more reluctant than most teams to use the tag -- they haven't used the tag on a player since tagging former punter Pat McAfee in 2013. Tagging Pittman in 2024 would cost around $20.7 million. The 26-year-old has accumulated 336 catches, 3,662 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first four seasons, which would put him in line to cash in considerably on the open market. No matter where Pittman lands in 2024 if he hits the free-agent market, he should profile as a WR1 in fantasy.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is coming off the best season of his career with 109 catches, 1,152 yards and four touchdowns, is set to enter free agency for the first time in his career in March. His 109 receptions are tied with Marvin Harrison for the fourth-most in franchise history, and they were also the fifth-most in the NFL in 2023. While Pittman said he's loved his time in Indianapolis, he's intent on testing the open market for the first time in his career. When asked about the possibility of the Colts putting the franchise tag on him to limit his free-agent options, Pittman said, "The franchise tag, I don't think anybody would be displeased with $23 million. The franchise tag is almost like a tag of respect because you get paid like the top five of your position." Regardless of where the 26-year-old ends up in 2024, he's going to be highly coveted in fantasy drafts this fall.
Michael Pittman Jr. Catches Five Passes In Season Finale Loss
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. caught five of his six targets for 44 yards in the team's 23-19 loss to the Houston Texans. Indy struggled to move the ball through the air in the first half, relying heavily on running back Jonathan Taylor to help them move the chains. Pittman finishes off a phenomenal 2023 season with career highs in receptions (109) and yards (1,152). With their Week 18 loss, the Colts are now eliminated from playoff contention.
