Michael Pittman Jr. has been a steady force in the Indianapolis Colts’ offense all season long, and coming into Week 16, he’s once again at the heart of their passing game. With 725 receiving yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns, he’s been the go-to weapon for the Colts in 2025 - a reliable target who can stretch the field and finish in the red zone.
But early on against the San Francisco 49ers, Pittman’s impact hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet just yet.
Yes, he’s active. Yes, he’s healthy.
But so far, the ball just hasn’t found him in a meaningful way. On the Colts’ first drive, quarterback Gardner Minshew looked Pittman’s way deep downfield, but the connection wasn’t there.
Later in that same possession, Pittman did haul in a pass - only to see it wiped off the board thanks to a penalty on the offense. That kind of start can throw off a rhythm, especially for a receiver who thrives on early involvement.
To make matters worse, the Colts fumbled the ensuing kickoff return after that first drive, cutting short any chance of getting the offense back on the field quickly. That kind of special teams miscue doesn’t just cost possession - it disrupts the offensive flow, especially for a player like Pittman who’s looking to get into the game early and often.
There’s still plenty of football left to be played, and Pittman has proven time and time again that it doesn’t take much for him to flip the switch. One clean route, one well-placed ball, and suddenly he’s off and running. For now, though, the Colts will be looking for ways to get their top receiver involved as they try to build momentum against a tough 49ers defense.