The Indianapolis Colts have a massive matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on tap this Sunday, and they have received some great news on the injury front in preparation for it.
Colts head coach Shane Steichen told reporters that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has cleared concussion protocol and should be available this weekend, via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. In addition, he said running back Jonathan Taylor—who has missed the last three games due to a thumb injury—seems ready to go.
Pittman suffered his injury during his team’s win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last week after taking a hard hit from safety Damontae Kazee. Kazee was ejected as a result of the hit.
He returned to full practice on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Taylor has also been a full participant in practice.
This is absolutely enormous for the Colts, who currently hold the last Wild Card spot in the AFC playoff picture and need to keep winning given all of the other teams jostling for postseason positioning.
Pittman is Indianapolis’ No. 1 receiver and has hauled in 99 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns this season.
The 26-year-old is in his fourth year after being taken by the Colts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He broke out in 2021 after catching 88 passes for 1,082 yards and six scores.
Taylor is Indy’s lead running back and has rushed for 414 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry in seven games. He began the year on the PUP list and returned in Week 5.
While the 24-year-old’s numbers in 2023 may not demonstrate it, Taylor is one of the league’s most explosive halfbacks and is just two seasons removed from leading the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 18 rushing scores. He made the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro selection for his efforts.
The Colts are 8-6 and are aiming to make their first trip to the playoffs since the 2020-21 campaign. They have made just two playoff appearances since 2015 overall.
After taking on the Falcons, Indianapolis will battle the Las Vegas Raiders and Houston Texans to wrap up the regular season.
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