Michael Pittman Jr. Shows his toughness against Tennessee

Source: Andy Lyons / Getty

[Indianapolis, IN]- It was around the middle of last week when reports came out that Colts Wide Receiver Michael Pittman Jr. could be heading to Injured Reserve with a back ailment.

However, Pittman suited up in practice and played in Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Tennessee Titans.

Pittman hopped on the Wake-Up Call with KB and Andy to share what changed come gameday.

“We just had to get all of the information,” Pittman said Monday morning, “I feel like we got everything done around midday Thursday. I kind of took that day and talked to the people that I trust. By the end of Thursday, I had it in my mind I wanted to try.”

One of those people Pittman trusted was his father, Michael Pittman Sr.

“(Pittman Sr.) has played through a lot being a running back, back in those days,” Pittman said, “He’s had to deal with a number of things that I think are worse than what I’ve ever had to. I basically asked him what he thinks I should do, and he said if I think I can still win routes then go ahead and play.”

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No back injury could stop Pittman on the final touchdown. He hauled in the game winning pass from Joe Flacco for a ten-yard touchdown and gave the Colts a 20-17 lead late.

“As soon as I had seen how they came out, and they went zero, I knew it was there, I was really hoping (Flacco) would throw it.” Pittman said.

At the podium after the win, Head Coach Shane Steichen called Pittman one of the toughest guys he knows.

“Toughest guy I’ve ever been around,” Steichen said, “When we needed a play, he made the big time play on third down. Then we’re in the situation where we had to throw the ball there because of the two-minute warning, obviously had to play there. To hit him on the crossing route there, the little naked play, coming up big. Just a credit to him and his toughness.”

Pittman finished the day third in receiving yards for the team, catching three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. That brings his total to 25 catches for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has a 59.5% catch percentage on 42 targets this season.

Pittman and the Colts now prepare for their only home game of October on Sunday when the Miami Dolphins come to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Hear the full conversation with Michael Pittman Jr.: