Colts WR Michael Pittman cleared, can't remember hit

Field Level Media|published: Fri 22nd December, 16:03 2023

Dec 10, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) gets set to take the field prior to a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. credits: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. cleared concussion protocol on Friday but said he doesn't remember the hit that put him there.

"I honestly never saw him coming," Pittman said of Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee, who was ejected from the game and later suspended by the NFL for the rest of the season for the hit.

Kazee lowered his head and slammed into the head and neck area of Pittman as he stretched for a pass during the Colts' 30-13 win on Saturday. Pittman's head snapped backward violently and he was motionless on the turf for a few seconds.

"I was diving, I caught it and then all of a sudden, I woke up and there's people looking down at me," Pittman told reporters Friday. "I was like, ‘Oh, (expletive), what just happened?'"

Pittman, who has 99 catches for 1,062 yards this season, will be able to suit up Sunday when the Colts (8-6) visit the Atlanta Falcons (6-8).

Pittman, 26, said he had mixed feelings about Kazee and the unpaid suspension he received.

"I do think that they were head-hunting, but I don't think he meant to try to impose a life-changing injury," Pittman said. "I don't think any player has that in them. And you never want to see guys lose games and lose that much money. ... He has a family, too, and I know that's a hefty fine."

—Field Level Media