Michael Pittman signs that all-important second contract, a sign of his NFL staying power.
The Indianapolis Colts are finalizing a three-year, $70 million deal with Michael Pittman, Jr., according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and NFL.com.
Rapoport notes it will be a three-year deal with a base value of $70 million. $46 million of that total is guaranteed, and Pittman could earn up to $71.5 million. This deal will take the place of his $21.8 million franchise tag.
The USC Trojan legend was a second-round pick for the Colts in 2020. He will be entering his fourth year with the team in 2024. He had a career year last season, with highs in receptions (109) and yards (1,152). He hauled in four touchdowns.
In his career, he has 336 receptions for 3,662 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Colts secured the No. 1 target for franchise quarterback Anthony Richardson. Given the overall makeup of their receiver corps, they could use a second high-end receiver to put on the other side of the field opposite Pittman. The Colts have the No. 15 pick and might want to trade up into the top eight. Why the top eight and not the top nine? The Chicago Bears are at No. 9 and are highly unlikely to give up that pick, given the need to draft an elite receiver such as Rome Odunze for Caleb Williams. If the Colts want Odunze, they probably have to move in front of the Bears, hence the top eight.
BREAKING: The #Colts and star WR Michael Pittman Jr. have agreed to a 3-year deal worth up to $71.5M with $46M guaranteed, sources tell @BleacherReport.
The Colts have ruled out WR Michael Pittman for Sunday’s game against the Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons caught a lucky break on Saturday night as the Indianapolis Colts have ruled out wide receiver Michael Pittman for Sunday’s Week 16 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Pittman suffered a concussion in a Week 15 win over the Steelers when former Falcons safety Damontae Kazee delivered a big hit on a Colts pass attempt. While Pittman was cleared from the NFL’s concussion protocol on Friday, lingering symptoms will keep him out on Sunday.
Michael Pittman cleared protocol Friday, traveled with the team today but picked up symptoms that led him being placed back into concussion protocol. He is now out. https://t.co/gIs0IsjM70
Kazee was suspended for the rest of the 2023 season for his hit on Pittman. The Falcons placed fullback Keith Smith on the injured reserve list and signed tight end Tucker Fisk from the practice squad on Saturday.
Atlanta elevated offensive lineman John Leglue and punter Pat O’Donnell for Sunday’s game against the Colts. Make sure to check out the team’s updated 53-man roster and depth chart heading into Week 16, along with our latest seven-round Falcons mock draft.
Tunnel Vision – a look back at Sunday for fantasy free agents, injuries and notable performances.
SUNDAY SALUTES
Quarterbacks
Pass-Rush
TD
Jared Goff
278-0
5
Baker Mayfield
381-(-2)
4
Aiden O’Connell
248-0
4
Brock Purdy
242-0
4
Easton Stick
257-11
3
Running Backs
Yards
TD
Christian McCaffrey
18-115
5-72
3
James Cook
25-179
2-42
2
Kyren Williams
27-152
5-3
1
Jahmyr Gibbs
11-100
2-8
2
Ty Chandler
23-132
3-25
1
Wide Receivers
Yards
TD
Jordan Addison
6-111
2
Jaylen Waddle
8-142
1
Terry McLaurin
6-141
1
Chris Godwin
10-155
0
Cooper Kupp
8-111
1
Tight Ends
Yards
TD
Sam LaPorta
5-56
3
David Njoku
10-104
1
Trey McBride
10-102
0
Hunter Henry
7-66
1
Isaiah Likely
5-70
1
Placekickers
XP
FG
Ka’imi Fairbairn
1
4
Matt Prater
2
3
Matt Gay
3
3
Jason Sanders
3
3
Harrison Butker
3
2
Defense
Sack – TO
TD
Dolphins
6-4
0
Raiders
3-5
1
Bears
4-3
1
Saints
7-0
0
Titans
4-1
1
Bumps, Bruises and Bowouts
QB Will Levis – Leg
QB Zach Wilson – Head
RB Zack Moss – Arm
RB Keaton Mitchell – Knee
RB Jonathan Williams – Concussion
WR Zay Jones – Leg
WR Michael Pittman – Concussion
WR Ja’Marr Chase – Shoulder
WR Jayden Reed – Toe
TE Hunter Henry – Leg
K Randy Bullock – Hamstring
Chasing Ambulances
QB Will Levis – Injured his ankle but said afterward that he is alright and that the injury “could’ve been a lot worse and it was definitely scarier in the moment than it was.” He carries minimal fantasy value anyway, but had kept DeAndre Hopkins relevant.
QB Zach Wilson – Received a concussion in the shutout loss to the Dolphins. He was replaced by Trevor Siemian who would take the start this week against the visiting Commanders, the NFL version of Santa Claus coming down the chimney. Siemian was even worse than Wilson when he came into the loss to the Fins, but he may have some value against the worst defense in the NFL.
RB Zack Moss – Left the win over the Steelers with another arm injury and X-Rays were negative at the stadium. He was ruled out when he couldn’t grip the ball well. He was replaced by a tag team of Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson which could repeat this week if Moss remains out. But, Jonathan Taylor may return this week.
WR Michael Pittman – Left the game in the second quarter when he got a concussion after getting blasted on a tackle. He may end up missing this week, and if so they will cobble together the tight ends and other wideouts to replace his production.
RB Keaton Mitchell – Broke into the open and then crumpled almost untouched in the win over the Jaguars. He is already reported to be gone for the season with a serious knee injury. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill will take over his production, but be much slower about it.
WR Zay Jones – Already missed time with a knee injury this year, and now suffered a hamstring strain in the loss to the Ravens. Jamal Agnew will help cover for him if needed, but the Jaguars are running out of wideouts with Christian Kirk already gone.
WR Ja’Marr Chase – Injured the AC joint in his shoulder and is considered “day to day.’ HC Zac Taylor said his availability for the Steelers game will be determined later in the week.
WR Jayden Reed – Left the loss to the Buccaneers with a toe injury and will have a status update later in the week.
TE Hunter Henry – Injured his knee in the loss to the Chiefs at the start of the fourth quarter and did not return. His status will be updated by Wednesday.
Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables
QB Dart Throw – For some leagues, Week 15 is the playoffs and even the league championship for large contests. And the Top-8 fantasy quarterbacks for when you need them the most – Baker Mayfield, Jared Goff, Joe Flacco, Aidan O’Connell, Brock Purdy, Easton Stick, Jake Browning, and Nick Mullens. Basically, all names on your waiver wire in Week 1. Maybe even a week or two ago for most of them. That’s disappointing after the top quarterbacks have been so good all year… until now.
WR Justin Jefferson – He made it all the way through the game without injury. Jefferson led the Vikings with ten targets that became seven catches for 84 yards. That, in turn, helped Jordan Addison (6-111, 2 TD) succeed against lesser coverage. Nick Mullens (303 yards, 2 TD) looks like he’ll stick for now.
RB Bijan Robinson – One of the biggest questions that will come out of 2023 is why did the Falcons have such uneven usage of a supposed generational talent? Robinson faced one of the weakest defenses in the NFL – Carolina – and was limited to only seven rushes for 11 yards while Tyler Allgeier handled 14 rushes for 45 yards. Robinson is already the leading rusher for the Falcons. Seven carries! They already drafted a generational talent in Kyle Pitts and then don’t use him. Now they have Robinson and do not use him. If they use a first-round pick on a quarterback, should we assume up front that he won’t get to play?
QB Joe Flacco – The Browns’ latest quarterback just threw for 374 yards and two scored on the Bears. He passed for 311 yards and three scores in Week 14. He’s only played three games and already has the two highest-producing games for Cleveland.
RB Raheem Mostert – He’s 31 years old and has already topped his career marks in carries, yards and scores. This week versus the Jets, he ran for 42 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. That a Miami team record with 20 touchdowns on the season, with three games left to play. Does he age in reverse? He’s playing out his ninth NFL season with more touchdowns than he’s scored in all other years combined.
RB James Conner – The Cardinals’ primary rusher ran for 105 yards and two scores at the Steelers in Week 13 and then went in his bye. He returned to face the 49ers on Sunday and reeled off 86 yards and a score on 14 rushes, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. And mostly on fantasy benches across the land.
QB Josh Allen – The Bills beat the Cowboys 31-10 in a laugher and Josh Allen spoke about his newfound wisdom after the game, suggesting that it is okay that he didn’t have to take the team on his back and do everything for the offense. He can allow James Cook to score twice with 227 total yards. Allen only passed for 94 yards and a touchdown but did run in one score. And that is not okay, at least not without warning during fantasy playoffs.
TE Isaiah Likely – Mark Andrews was lost after Week 12 and the Ravens No. 2 tight end stepped up these last two weeks with five catches for around 75 yards and a touchdown in each. That was more yardage than Andrews had in all but two games this year.
TE Sam LaPorta – The rookie just caught three touchdowns on his five catches for 56 yards in the win over the Broncos. That gives him an NFL tight end lead with nine touchdowns – no other in the position has scored more than six. Ironically, the Lions old tight end T.J. Hockenson is the No. 1 and Travis Kelce is No. 2. And LaPorta is No. 3 and just ten fantasy points away from being the No. 1 – as a rookie.
Huddle player of the week
Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle
James Cook – He already had improved in the second half of the season and against the previously feared Cowboys defense, Cook turned in a career-best performance with 179 yards and a score on 25 carries, plus caught two passes for 42 yards and a second touchdown. Cook demolished the Cowboys almost single-handedly.
Salute!
Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry
The Steelers are minus both of their starting safeties before halftime.
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee was ejected from Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts with 8:42 left in the second quarter after a crushing hit on Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
This was the second big hit Kazee put on Pittman in the game. Pittman stayed on the field briefly but was able to walk off under his own power. The Steelers are already thin at safety with Keanu Neal on IR and Minkah Fitzpatrick questionable to return with a knee injury.
Ejection: #Steelers Safety Damontae Kazee was ejected for hit on #Colts WR Michael Pittman
Two Titans players were fined for infractions against the Colts in Week 13.
Two Tennessee Titans players received fines for infractions during the Week 13 game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Safety Amani Hooker was hit with the biggest fine, losing $13,659 for an unsportsmanlike conduct stemming from a throat slash gesture he did following his pick-two.
On a side note: Hooker’s interception that resulted in a defensive two-point conversion was actually the first in franchise history.
Fellow safety K’Von Wallace is also a little lighter in the wallet, with the veteran defender being fined $5,611 for unsportsmanlike conduct after he taunted the Colts’ sideline, which was flagged during the game.
It was thought Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman might face a fine after he launched the football into the stands following his game-winning touchdown catch, which is something we saw former Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown get fined for in the past. However, Pittman escaped without one.
Titans Amani Hooker fined $13,659 for unnecessary roughness and K’Von Wallace $5,611 for unsportsmanlike conduct. Hooker’s had to be on 2PAT return. All I saw was: https://t.co/jmysap54TNpic.twitter.com/FZDqkLFj8N
Pittman felt the frustration of falling short. He and the Colts need a big response.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. clarified recent comments he made out of frustration following the team’s controversial loss to the Cleveland Browns this past weekend (via 1075 The Fan’s Kevin Bowen).
Following the Colts’ Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Pittman – who had two catches on five targets in the game – made some comments to the Indianapolis Star he wanted to clean up.
“They just didn’t target me today, for whatever reason,” he said. “Maybe I’m not a big part of the offense … When I do get the ball, I feel like I always do something with it. Just know that i’m viable to break off a big one in any situation vs. any team. I’m just trying to show the coaches that I’m out there, too.”
Colts coach Shane Steichen offered this observation:
“Why I think you know Pittman is a huge part of this offense, and he’s the ultimate competitor, and I think with really good players, they want the ball and they express their feelings some time and that’s part of this league, and we’re going to do everything in our power to continue to give him the football moving forward,” Steichen said.
Pittman leads the Colts in targets (65), receptions (42) and receiving yards (489) entering Week 8. He is averaging 69.9 yards per game. Starting QB Anthony Richardson is out for the season and Gardner Minshew will start the rest of the year. Let’s see if Pittman can raise his game.
Take a trip with us around the AFC South to check in on the Titans’ division rivals, the Colts, Jaguars and Texans.
Happy Sunday, Tennessee Titans fans, and to all those fans of other AFC South teams who have stumbled upon our latest divisional news roundup where we check in on the Titans’ biggest rivals, the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.
We are officially in the dead part of the NFL offseason, as teams are on break ahead of training camp in late July, which means there is absolutely nothing coming from teams with no practices, etc.
Thus, we are scraping the bottom of the barrel for news, which makes my job a heck of a lot harder. Nevertheless, I press on for the good of the people.
In Houston, the Texans have yet to name their starting signal-caller. In Indy, the Colts have injury concerns with three of their best players, two of which we cover in this roundup (the other is linebacker Shaquille Leonard).
Meanwhile, Jaguars fans got a blast from the past with the announced renaming of TIAA Bank Field, which is set to undergo renovations.
Check out those stories and more below in our latest AFC South news roundup.
Michael Pittman has seen a lot of QBs come and go in his short time with the Colts. Maybe now he’ll have more stability.
Next season in Indianapolis, newly-drafted quarterback Anthony Richardson will team up with running back Jonathan Taylor and former USC wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The young crew could give the Colts one of the NFL’s most exciting offensive trios.
If Taylor is healthy, he is easily one of the league’s top five running backs. If he can return to his 2021 form, the Colts will be a much better ballclub next season, but the key to their offense is Michael Pittman.
The former Trojan had a breakout year in 2021, catching 88 passes for 1,082 yards and six touchdowns. However, he had a down year last season. Although he collected more receptions (99), he recorded only 925 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2022. Pittman could bounce back in 2023, becoming a top-notch No. 1 wideout with some stability.
Pittman saw Carson Wentz, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles and Matt Ryan all under center the past two years. That did not work out as well as Jim Irsay and the Colts thought it would.
It’s unclear whether Richardson will begin the 2023 season as the starting quarterback. The Colts might start Gardner Minshew, who was signed as a free agent this offseason, for a few games, bringing Richardson along slowly. Yet, Richardson should end up seeing the field a lot as a rookie.
Catch up on all the action from the Monday matchup between the Chargers and Colts.
The Chargers lead the Colts at the half, 10-3.
Here are all of Los Angeles’ notable highlights from the first two quarters.
After the two teams traded three and outs to start the game, Indianapolis started to drive down the field, including a fourth-down conversion aided by a Jeff Saturday challenge.
Then, it was Michael Davis’ time to shine.
David fielded a Nick Foles deep throw like the arm punt it was, eventually returning the easy interception 30 yards to give the Chargers the ball back at their own 41.
Colts take a deep shot. Michael Davis said not on my watch! @MikeyQuince
Most of the time, football teams trade points. Through the first quarter, all the Chargers and Colts traded were interceptions.
After Justin Herbert was intercepted on the drive following Davis’ first pick of the season, the Colts threw it right back to LA. This time, it was Derwin James with the play, tapping his feet in bounds like a veteran receiver.
The interception, Los Angeles’ second of the game, gave the Bolts the ball back at their own 33.
.@DerwinJames goes up to make the incredible interception 🔥
James’ return from injury has turned out to be short-lived.
After returning from a quad injury that had held him out of the last two contests, James had had a stellar game through a quarter and a half, including a phenomenal interception of Colts QB Nick Foles.
Midway through the second quarter, Foles targeted wide receiver Ashton Dulin in the flat, where he was hit with the force of a semi-truck as James flew downhill. The collision was immediately flagged for helmet-to-helmet contact.
Despite James’ protests as he pointed to his shoulder while walking off the field, he was ejected from the remainder of the contest by officials in New York. It seemed as though James was indicating that he hit Dulin in the shoulder initially, but the replay showed clear head-to-head contact.
With James back out of the lineup, Alohi Gilman and Nasir Adderley will take over as the safeties for the rest of the game. Rookie Raheem Layne is also on the roster after being signed off the practice squad before the game.
