The Indianapolis Colts will head into the weekend with wideout Michael Pittman questionable after the four-year NFL veteran took a brutal hit last Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittman cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol, but the team stated that the receiver still has a shoulder injury.
The USC product exited his team’s Week 15 contest after receiving a concussion from Steelers defensive back Damontae Kazee. While attempting to make a diving catch on a throw from signal-caller Gardner Minshew, Kazee lowered his head, putting his shoulder into the head and neck area of the Colts standout. Pittman spoke about the hit for the first time on Friday, per FOX59’s Brett Bensley.
"I think it's the pure grace of God that I was able to get up and walk." -Michael Pittman Jr after his brutal hit in the Steelers game.
He says he was head-hunted by Damontae Kazee but didn't believe the intent was to impose a life changing or serious injury. #Colts pic.twitter.com/pjFMadxN9Q
— Brett Bensley (@brettbensley) December 22, 2023
Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Talks Hit From Steelers DB Damontae Kazee
Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman spoke about the hit he took from Damontae Kazee in last week’s win, “I think it was not a clean hit, but I don’t necessarily want them to suspend him and have him lose out on everything. I don’t think he was trying to hurt me… but I don’t think it was a legal hit.”
The NFL and Roger Goodell suspended Kazee for the remainder of the season after knocking out Pittman in last Saturday’s game. However, despite Pittman losing consciousness after being on the receiving end of the brutal hit, the lengthy wideout doesn’t believe it was malicious. Future NFL Hall of Famer Tom Brady also came to Kazee’s defense late last week, saying, “QBs should not be throwing the ball in areas where they are exposing their own teammates to these types of hits.”
Pittman continued, saying, “I think it’s the pure grace of God that I was able to get up and walk. That was a very scary hit… I didn’t know where I was at.”
WR Michael Pittman: Career with Indianapolis Colts
Pittman is in his fourth year with the Indianapolis Colts. A second-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft, Pittman has eclipsed 1,000 yards in two of his four seasons, including this year. He has snagged 99 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. Despite inconsistent quarterback play over the past two seasons, he remains one of the top receivers in his division.
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