On Nov. 10, 2024, Michael Pittman Jr. missed just his sixth game in his five-year NFL career. The Colts wide receiver stood on the sidelines, ruled inactive with a back injury that had been nagging him for weeks, forced to watch as his teammates lost to the Buffalo Bills at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Pittman knew he wasn't at full strength, and he knew that he wouldn't be a help to anyone if he was out on the field but not playing to his potential. But that didn't mean he didn't try his hardest to be out there. So, when the time came to decide if Pittman would play in the Colts' Week 11 game against the New York Jets, it was almost a no-brainer.
"It's kind of a predetermined mindset that I have going into the week that we're going to do this no matter what," Pittman said on Monday. "That's kind of the motto of the season now."
That sort of mentality is nothing new for Pittman; he's known for his determination and willingness to battle through anything to get on the field. When head coach Shane Steichen looks at Pittman, he sees one thing: toughness.
"I can't say enough about his toughness, and what he goes through every week to get ready to play is just phenomenal," Steichen said.
Pittman totaled five catches for 46 yards in the Colts' 28-27 win over the Jets, playing in 61 of 70 offensive snaps. It was the first game Pittman had more than three receptions since Oct. 6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he had five receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown. In the previous two games he's played in – against the Houston Texans and Minnesota Vikings – Pittman only had one reception in each game..
Four of Pittman's receptions on Sunday also came during Colts scoring drives. He had a 20-yard reception and an eight-yard reception on the Colts' first touchdown drive of the game, and a crucial red zone completion on the game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Looking at him, you wouldn't know he was dealing with any kind of injury -- he didn't hesitate for a second to leap in the air, dive headfirst or take a hit right in his midsection if it meant he could move his team down the field.
"He keeps showing up for his team," Steichen said. "Ultimate team player."
