Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. suffered a lower leg injury during the 36-7 win against the New York Jets on Sunday and could miss some time, head coach Frank Reich told reporters Monday.
Pittman Jr. suffered the injury during the first half of the Week 3 win but wound up returning to the game. Reich said the injury got worse overnight, and now there’s a chance he could miss a few games.
Pittman Jr. reportedly had compartment leg syndrome that required surgery on Sunday night, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, and is expected to be out until the Colts return from their bye in Week 8. Reich wouldn’t put a time frame on it.
#Colts WR Michael Pittman had compartment leg syndrome in his calf, source said, and he had surgery last night. It went well. He should be back the game after their bye. So, likely Week 8.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 28, 2020
Pittman Jr., a second-round pick in April’s draft, finished the game with three catches on four targets for 26 yards. With Parris Campbell currently on the injured reserve with MCL/PCL injuries, this is a tough blow for what could have been solid development time for the rookie wideout.
With Pittman Jr. expected to be out for a few weeks, the Colts are likely to lean on Zach Pascal to play opposite T.Y. Hilton. He played 93% of the snaps in Week 3.
The Colts are also likely to lean a little more on Daurice Fountain, Ashton Dulin and sixth-round rookie Dezmon Patmon.
