MichaelPittman Jr.

News: 1 day agoCoach Shane Steichen said Thursday that Pittman won't suit up for Saturday's preseason game versus the Cardinals, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Spin: Along with Pittman, the rest of the Colts' starters and No. 2 signal-caller Joe Flacco won't be available for the team's second exhibition. Assuming Josh Downs (ankle) also doesn't play, Indy's available wide receivers figure to be rookie second-rounder Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce and Ashton Dulin (hamstring, if available), among others. In four pro seasons to date, Pittman has two 1,000-yard tallies on his resume, and he's posted 14 receiving touchdowns in 49 regular-season contests the last three campaigns.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: A steady career progression as a sure-handed receiver earned Pittman a big extension from the Colts heading into his fifth season. The son of a former bruising running back, Pittman handles a physical, possession role that includes rare volume, as he finished ninth in total targets and fifth in receptions in 2023. A touchdown-per-target rate of just 3.1% as a pro and a modest average depth of target clip the past two seasons have resulted in WR2 outcomes for Pittman. As the likely first read for Anthony Richardson on most dropbacks this season, Pittman enters the season with a stable floor for WR2 production and the upside for a new tier of value. Targeting Pittman after the crop of true WR1 options are taken could prove savvy.