Michael Pittman Dealing with Back Injury | Fantasy Impact for Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell and Other Colts

NFL injuries are starting to pile up in a hurry. The latest big blow was Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman, who has a back injury that could land him on the injured reserve list.

Let’s take a look at what Pittman has done this season, some possible pass catchers on the Colts who could be good fantasy assets with Pittman out and then also a brief look at some other offensive fantasy players on the team.

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Pittman’s Stats

Pittman has 238 receiving yards and a touchdown on 22 catches and 37 targets so far.

Those numbers are pretty underwhelming for a player who was drafted inside the first 40 picks on average. The targets are solid, but his low catch percentage, yards and touchdowns are all pretty poor for a team’s No. 1 target.

Some of that poor play has to do with the play/injury to Anthony Richardson. Pittman’s best game was in week 4, when Joe Flacco was the starter. Pittman had 113 yards on six catches and nine targets in that game, but has been under 40 yards and with five or less catches in every other contest.

Possible Replacements

Alec Pierce leads the team with 368 yards and three touchdowns. He’s done that despite having the third-most catches and fourth-most targets. Pierce has played the second-most snaps, behind only Pittman.

Pierce is a deep threat for the Colts, and has had one great showing with Richardson and Flacco.

Josh Downs is the No. 3 Indy receiver in terms of snaps played. In three games, Downs has 173 yards and a touchdown on 20 catches and 26 targets. 

Downs struggled in his first game when Richardson was starting. With Flacco playing most of the game in week 4, Downs went for 82 yards and a score, and with Flacco starting in week 5, Downs had 69 yards on nine catches and 12 targets.

Rookie Adonai Mitchell has played 101 snaps this season. He has 70 yards on six catches and 20 targets. 

Mitchell’s targets have been inconsistent, and he’s yet to go over 40 yards in a game. The injury to Pittman could help the rookie get more involved though.

Ashton Dulin has logged 75 snaps this season. He has 67 yards and a score on two catches and four targets. 

Dulin’s production came in weeks 1 and 2, and he’s only gotten one target and one touch (a rushing attempt) in the three games since. He should log some more snaps with Pittman out.

Mo Alie-Cox leads the team’s tight ends with 127 snaps played. Kylen Granson is at 123 snaps, while Drew Ogletree has played 96 snaps. 

Alie-Cox has 59 yards and a touchdown on three catches and seven targets. Granson has 49 yards on two catches and four targets. Ogletree has 32 yards and a touchdown on three grabs and four targets.

Pass Catcher Outlook

Just looking at the season snap and usage numbers, I’d guess that Downs takes over as the team’s No. 1 pass catcher until Pittman returns.

The young wideout has been trending up over the past couple weeks, and I’m sure the team would love to expand his role and see what he’s made of. The only issue is that he is now dealing with a toe injury, and that could limit him this week and moving forward. If I was going to start any Indy pass catcher after the Pittman injury, it would be Downs.

Pierce is a riskier fantasy option because of his big-play potential, but with Pittman out of the picture, that should mean more opportunities for Pierce. I’d guess he’ll be a part of start decision stories for the next few weeks, but he’s a good deep league option for sure.

I expect Mitchell to get a bump in his usage as well. He’s not a good fantasy starting option until we see his role without Pittman around though, but he’s one to stash in deeper leagues and keep an eye on in standard leagues.

Dulin could make a couple plays, but he only will likely be an option for those of you in the deepest of fantasy leagues.

Because the team’s tight ends split the snaps and workload, none of them are good fantasy starting options outside deeper leagues. They might get some more snaps until Pittman returns, but it’s unlikely to lead to any massive fantasy performances. 

Other Indy Fantasy Outlooks

Between Richardson and Flacco, I think the Pittman injury would affect Flacco as a fantasy performer more. He’s the pocket passer, and would have one less guy to throw to. Richardson can make some plays with his legs to offset losing a pass catcher.

I’d still feel more confident starting Flacco this coming week, if he’s the starter, of course. He just takes better care of the ball and has looked better than Richardson.

Richardon’s poor play and injury issues are definitely concerning, and I’d only want to start him in deeper leagues and two-QB setups.

Jonathan Taylor is dealing with an injury of his own, but would be a must-start player if he’s back in any capacity this week. Without Pittman around, Taylor would probably see a few extra touches, and have that much better chance to score.

Trey Sermon got the No. 1 role with Taylor out, but Sermon is also dealing with an injury. If Taylor and Sermon cannot go, expect Tyler Goodson to lead the way, then the team to either sign another back, or elevate one from the practice squad to serve as the backup.