The Indianapolis Colts will have one of their top receivers out for today’s game against the Chicago Bears, as Michael Pittman Jr. is expected to see the field today.
Pittman, who is listed as doubtful with back and calf injuries, is expected to “play” according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Pittman missed Friday’s practice, though it was reported at the time that Indianapolis believed he would still be able to play Sunday.
So far this season, Pittman has been targeted a team-high 15 times and has recorded seven receptions for 52 yards. Despite being quarterback Anthony Richardson’s most common target, Pittman has essentially been a backseat to Alec Pierce through the first two games. Pierce, a third-year receiver out of Cincinnati, has eight receptions for 181 yards and two touchdowns, including a 60-yard catch on a ridiculous throw from Richardson that went viral.
Despite a relatively slow start to the season (Pittman had 16 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown heading into Week 3 of last season), the USC big man appears destined for a big game given how often Richardson has looked his way. And if there was ever a day to make a big splash, it would be today.
The Colts narrowly lost to the Houston Texans in Week 1 and then to the Green Bay Packers in Week 2, despite Green Bay having a backup quarterback. Those back-to-back losses to start the season are not only a bad start in general, but historically, they haven’t boded well for Indianapolis’ playoff chances.
In the previous 22 seasons, in which the Colts started the season with two losses, the team has only made the playoffs twice (1987 and 2014). Well, if they lose to the Bears today, a playoff appearance by the Colts would be unprecedented, as Indianapolis has never started the season 0-3 and has never finished in the playoffs.
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Last week against Green Bay, turnovers derailed the Colts’ chances of winning. Richardson threw three interceptions in the 16-10 loss, the first game of his career in which he threw multiple interceptions.
Indianapolis and Chicago are scheduled to kick off at 1 p.m. ET.
