Michael Pittman Jr.'s Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) did not participate in Thursday's OTA practice, but Joel A. Erickson of Indy Star said it was for precautionary reasons. Pittman banged knees with a defender last week and limped off the field, but he is expected to be "fine". The former second-round pick has posted at least 88 receptions, 925 yards, and four touchdowns over the last three seasons, but he'll face more target competition this year. The Colts selected Adonai Mitchell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and 2023 third-rounder Josh Downs is expected to have an expanded role. All that said, Pittman should remain the WR1 for Anthony Richardson and post at least low-end WR2 numbers in his fifth NFL campaign.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (knee) left Wednesday's offseason practice early after taking a fall during a team period. The 26-year-old limped off the field with trainers, but head coach Shane Steichen said he "should be fine." Pittman reportedly just bumped his knee, but organizations are going to be extra careful with their stud players at this point in the offseason. The 2020 second-round pick had an excellent 2023 campaign while playing mostly with quarterback Gardner Minshew. He caught 109 passes for 1,152 yards and four touchdowns. It's tough to know what to expect out of him with a healthy Anthony Richardson and Jonathan Taylor to begin the 2024 season, and the team drafted Texas wideout Adonai Mitchell in the second round of last month's draft. Either way, he remains the No. 1 option in the passing game for the Colts, and another 1,000-yard season should be the expectation.

The Indianapolis Colts and standout wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. agreed to a three-year, $70 million contract extension on Monday, according to a source. The deal can reach up to $71.5 million maximum and includes $46 million guaranteed. The deal means that Pittman won't play the 2024 season under the franchise tag. It's a major win for both sides. The Colts had no intentions of letting one of the best receivers in the game reach the open market, which is why they used their franchise tag on the 26-year-old to buy them a little extra time to work on an extension. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of USC had a career-high 1,152 receiving yards and four touchdowns on a career-high 109 receptions in 16 games in 2023 and is a no-doubt WR1 in fantasy.

The Indianapolis Colts are using their franchise tag on wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. on Tuesday, according to sources. The tag will be worth $21.816 million, so that's what Pittman will receive in 2024 if he and the Colts aren't able to agree on a long-term extension by the deadline in mid-July. The Colts made it clear that they weren't going to let the 26-year-old wideout reach the open market this offseason. Despite working with quarterback Gardner Minshew for the majority of 2023, the former second-rounder in 2020 out of USC put up career-highs in catches (109), targets (156) and receiving yards (1,152) while scoring four times in 16 games. Pittman is a no-doubt WR1 in fantasy that could have even more upside with young QB Anthony Richardson (shoulder) returning in 2024.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that impending free-agent wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will be on the roster come Week 1 of the 2024 season this fall, either by an extension or the franchise tag, if necessary. The Colts aren't planning to let Pittman get away in free agency this offseason. The 26-year-old would make $21.8 million this year if he plays under the franchise tag, but both sides would prefer an extension. The former second-round pick in 2020 out of USC has blossomed into a WR1 in fantasy after four seasons in the league, two of which (including 2023) resulted in 1,000-yard seasons. Pittman had career-highs in catches (109), targets (156) and receiving yards (1,152) while scoring four times in 16 games last year. He could get even better with young quarterback Anthony Richardson returning from injury in 2024.