Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. out with concussion symptoms

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd December, 19:35 2023

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) collides with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee (23) on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Pittman Jr. left the field after the play. credits: Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was ruled out of Sunday's game against the host Atlanta Falcons after concussion symptoms resurfaced.

Pittman, who leads the Colts this season with 99 catches, four touchdowns and 1,062 yards in 14 games, cleared the NFL's concussion protocol Friday before feeling symptoms after the team arrived in Atlanta.

The 26-year-old Pittman was injured on a hit last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was hit in the neck and head area by safety Damontae Kazee and was diagnosed with a concussion.

Kazee was ejected and later suspended for the rest of the regular season without pay. He will forfeit about $208,000 in salary.

Though he was cleared to play by the Colts' medical staff and an unaffiliated specialist, Pittman said he couldn't remember the hit.

"I honestly never saw him coming," Pittman said. "I was diving, I caught it, and then all of a sudden, I woke up and there's people looking down at me. I was like, 'Oh, s—-, what just happened?'"

In 60 games (54 starts) over four seasons with the Colts, Pittman has 326 receptions for 3,572 yards and 15 touchdowns. The Colts selected him in the second round of the 2020 draft.

—Field Level Media