The Colts are not expected to have Michael Pittman Jr. in action on Sunday.
Facing a tough Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, life isn’t getting any easier for the Indianapolis Colts, who are already without starting tight end Jack Doyle (in addition to Trey Burton, who was placed on IR before the season started) and Marlon Mack, whose season is ended after a torn Achilles.
The offense continues to get banged up. The O-line’s minor issues heading into last week were a concern, but now the passing game is taking even more of a hit. While Zach Pascal is expected to play despite an ankle injury, rookie Michael Pittman Jr. will not suit up due to an injured toe he suffered against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pittman Jr. only had two catches for 20 yards last week, but his presence on the field likely opened up opportunities for others in the passing game.
Colts’ WR Zach Pascal, listed as questionable with an ankle injury, is expected to play against the Vikings while Colts’ WR Michael Pittman is unlikely to play against Minnesota due to a toe injury, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 20, 2020
Luckily, the Colts have solid depth at the wide receiver position, with Pascal, TY Hilton and Parris Campbell. Pittman’s size and style brought a different element to that group, though.
This just means Campbell will have to follow up his impressive Week 1 performance with another against a weak Vikings secondary. Head coach Frank Reich is also going to have to lean a bit on the run game after abandoning it (for whatever reason) in Jacksonville when the Colts had the lead. Nyheim Hines and Jonathan Taylor need to set the tone.
The Colts will be without starting TE Jack Doyle on Sunday. WRs Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman Jr. are questionable.
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) September 18, 2020
If neither can go, these would be Philip Rivers' weapons:
* WRs: Hilton, Campbell, Dezmon Patmon, Ashton Dulin
* RBs: Taylor, Hines
* TE: Mo Alie-Cox
Indy is also excited at the prospect of third-year tight end Mo Alie-Cox, who is an absolute unit at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. He’s been a revelation as a blocker, but has also shown flashes as a pass-catcher. He’s difficult to bring down and can do serious damage in open space. His lack of experience as a starter, though, poses a bit of an issue.
But if there was any week to feature some players who need to see the field more or others who don’t exactly have a top-notch rapport with Rivers, it’s now against the Vikings, who have lost key players Everson Griffen, Linval Joseph, Xavier Rhodes, Mackensie Alexander, Trae Waynes and Andrew Sendejo in free agency.
We all saw what the Packers did to them. Time to follow that blueprint.
Colts WRs TY Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell Jr. need to take advantage of Vikings’ secondary
The Indianapolis Colts' WR corps needs to capitalize against the inexperienced and underachieving Minnesota Vikings' secondary.