INDIANAPOLIS – The schedule insists it’s week 11.
Michael Pittman Jr. begs to differ.
The Indianapolis Colts are in playoff-mode over the final two months of the season, beginning with Sunday’s road meeting with the New York Jets.
“Every game from here on out is a must-win because we don’t have a lot of room left here,’’ Pittman said earlier this week. “We’ve just gotta give everything we have every single day and start stacking these wins up.’’
The urgency created by a three-game losing streak and 4-6 record coincides with Pittman returning to the lineup. The team’s veteran go-to wideout missed last Sunday’s loss to Buffalo with a lingering back injury.
“I’m putting everything (in), just taking it one day and see where it goes,’’ he said when asked about the back injury. “We’ll see this week.
“I couldn’t make the cut last week. We’ll see going forward.’’
A full week of work reinforced Pittman’s readiness for Sunday.
“He’s ready to roll,’’ coach Shane Steichen said Friday.
The back injury has contributed to Pittman enduring the least productive season of his career: 30 receptions, 366 yards and two touchdowns. He had one catch in consecutive games for the first time in his career – at Houston and Minnesota – before being held out of the Bills game.
Even with the lackluster numbers, Pittman’s value to the offense can’t be overstated.
“Leadership, play style,’’ Steichen said. “When we need something in the clutch, usually comes up big for us. He’s come up big for us this year, last year and obviously previous years.
“So, it’ll be good to get him back out there.’’
With Pittman out, the Colts’ receivers had their most diverse game of the season.
Josh Downs had 72 yards on seven catches, rookie AD Mitchell had six catches for 71 yards – both season highs – and Alec Pierce 81 yards and one TD on four catches.
Somebody’s playing time will lessen with Pittman’s return.
“I mean, he’s going to get his reps,’’ Steichen said. “AD’s going to get his snaps. Everyone’s going to get their snaps.
“We’ll manage those snaps.’’
Playoff push
Pittman’s “must win’’ reference wasn’t hyperbole.
The Colts sit in the No. 8 slot in the AFC playoff picture with seven games to play. Only the top seven make it into the postseason.
The top six spots are occupied by teams with four losses or fewer, and five have three or less. Then, it gets congested with Denver (5-5), the Colts (4-6), Cincinnati (4-6), the Jets (3-7) and Miami (3-7).
Raimann out
As expected, left tackle Bernhard Raimann has been ruled out with a knee injury suffered last week against Buffalo.
Steichen doesn’t anticipate the injury being long-term in nature.
“I think it’ll be week-to-week,’’ he said.
Raimann’s absence creates a franchise rarity.
For the first time since week 4 of 2016, the Colts will start three rookie offensive linemen: Matt Goncalves at left tackle, Tanor Bortolini at center and Dalton Tucker at right guard.
In 2016 against Jacksonville in London, the three consisted of first-round pick Ryan Kelly, seventh-round pick Austin Blythe at right guard and fifth-round pick Joe Haeg at right tackle. Third-round pick Le’Raven Clark started three games later in the season.
Kelly will miss a second straight game after being placed on the injured reserve list with an injury to his right knee.
Richardson update
So far, so good.
Steichen decided to return to Anthony Richardson as his starting quarterback on Tuesday, and Richardson apparently responded with a solid week of practice.
“Phenomenal,’’ Steichen said. “He’s done a great job. Obviously, it’s stacked in the last two weeks, and then this week seeing great growth.
“Like we said, not a finished product, but he had a phenomenal week this week.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.