The Indianapolis Colts suffered a brutal loss on the road to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. That dropped their record to 8-7 on the season but didn’t impact their playoff odds as negatively as it could have. Most of the other teams contending with the Colts, including their AFC South rivals, all lost.
Indianapolis is now heading into a massive matchup with the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 17 that can essentially be categorized as an elimination game. If the Raiders lose, their playoff hopes are dashed. If the Colts lose, they won’t be mathematically eliminated, but their path to the postseason would essentially be closed.
Luckily for the Colts, they have received some positive news on the injury front in preparation for the game. According to James Boyd of The Athletic, wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., right tackle Braden Smith and running back Zack Moss all returned to practice on Thursday.
NFL News & Rumors: Michael Pittman Jr., Kaden Smith, Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts Updates
Pittman was wearing a regular blue jersey, which meant he had finally been cleared for full contact. However, there has been no official word given if he is cleared to play in games yet after absorbing a brutal hit from Pittsburgh Steelers’ safety Damontae Kazee in Week 15.
Without Pittman in the lineup, the Colts’ passing offense struggled to get going against the Falcons. Gardner Minshew had only 170 net passing yards in the game and 201 total. It was the fewest yards in a game for him since Week 10 against the New England Patriots in Germany, which Minshew threw for only 194 yards.
Getting him back in the lineup will be a major boost. As would getting Smith back, who hasn’t played since December 3rd, back in Week 13. Moss’s last appearance was also against the Steelers, but the Colts at least got Jonathan Taylor back in the lineup in Week 16 in his place.
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