Michael Pittman Jr. Misses Game After Battling Injury

On November 9, 2024, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was officially ruled out for the upcoming game against the Buffalo Bills due to a persistent back injury. Coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Pittman did not practice throughout the week and described his situation as week-to-week. Despite being known for his resilience, Pittman's performance has suffered lately, making only two catches for 30 yards over the last two games. This represents a significant downturn, with his 366 receiving yards by this point in the season being the lowest of his career across his first nine games. In the absence of Pittman, the Colts' offense is expected to rely more heavily on wide receivers Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. Pierce currently leads the team with 435 receiving yards and has scored three touchdowns this season. Meanwhile, Downs has also been productive with three touchdowns and a total of 411 receiving yards. The team's strategy may need to adapt to ensure they can maximize their offensive potential without their top receiver. Moreover, there’s no consideration for placing Pittman on Injured Reserve at this moment, which indicates that the team is hopeful for his return soon. This situation puts added pressure on the other receivers to step up in Pittman's absence, especially with quarterback Joe Flacco attempting to maintain the team's competitive edge. Ultimately, the Colts will face the challenge of navigating this injury while trying to secure a win against a challenging opponent in the Buffalo Bills.