We're back with another edition of The Colts Show Mailbag, where I'll answer listener questions both on the podcast and here on Colts.com every Thursday.
You can submit your questions to me a few ways: At Colts.com/Mailbag, on social media (like X and Instagram) and in the YouTube comments for the podcast.
For this week's podcast mailbag question, I answered one from Harold Miller about the Colts' offensive line. For my answer there, check out this week's episode of The Colts Show wherever you get your podcasts, including on:
Let's dive into the rest of this week's batch of questions:
Kaden Wilson (Evansville, Ind.): Do you think Michael Pittman Jr. will achieve the same level of production as prior years after recovering from his back injury?
JJ Stankevitz: Some context here: Pittman dealt with a back injury all last year – he sustained it during a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals in August. He still played in 16 of 17 games, but he had the fewest targets (111), receptions (69), yards (808) and touchdowns (3) since his rookie season.
Still, when Pittman was thrown the ball, he had similar productivity two the previous three years (2021-2023):
| Stat | 2021-2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Yards/reception | 10.7 | 11.7 |
| Yards/target | 7.4 | 7.3 |
The way Pittman got to those numbers in 2024 was different than 2021-2023, though. In 2024, Pittman had 20 receptions of at least 15 yards; he had 17 in 2023, despite that year being the most productive (109 catches, 1,152 yards) of his career. Pittman was targeted, on average, 10.9 yards downfield – the highest mark of his career – which isn't a surprise given the Colts' offense was more aggressive in pushing the ball downfield in 2024 (with Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco) than 2023 (with Anthony Richardson and Gardner Minshew II).
In that sense, that Pittman was able to maintain some of his per-reception and per-target averages in a more aggressive offense and with a nagging back injury is encouraging. Pittman did not need surgery on his back this offseason and participated in OTAs and minicamp, and there are plenty of reasons to believe he'll get back to the season-total productivity we saw out of him leading up to last year.
"He's one tough dude," general manager Chris Ballard said after last season. "Pitt's the example of what you want. I mean, here's a guy that all season had to battle through this, but sacrificed for the betterment of the team. And to win, you've got to sacrifice."
Jason Fried (Carmel, Ind.): With Anthony Richardson's shoulder injury and missing time during the offseason, does this put Daniel Jones in the driver's seat to be the starting QB Week 1?
JJ Stankevitz: Probably not. We'll need to see what Richardson's status is when the Colts report to Grand Park for training camp on July 22, but missing a handful of OTA/minicamp practices isn't too much for anyone to overcome in a head-to-head competition. Right now, I think it's even going into training camp, and we'll see A) what Richardson's availability is and then B) who performs better over the four and a half weeks between the Colts' first practice and their final preseason game.
Joseph Torres (Indianapolis): Are we at any point going to address LB and safety depth? Unfortunately it feels as if the fans see these holes in the roster before management does, the same holes they end up having to address the following year after the damage is done.
James Bentley (Coldwater, Mich.): When Germaine Pratt was released by the Bengals, there were a number of articles written regarding his obvious fit for the Colts. Considering his history with the coaches and the need for LB help, it was a surprise that Pratt signed with the Raiders at a "bargain" price. The Colts had the money to sign Pratt if they wanted to, so that leads to questions regarding their interest. There have not been any reports indicating whether Ballard contacted Pratt's agent...or even if the Colts had any interest. We keep hearing that coaches are excited with the LB room and Carlies in particular. But one has to question why Pratt is not on the Colts roster since the LB room is still listed as a "weakness' by the analysts and sports reporters.
JJ Stankevitz: Let's start with linebacker here – Ballard has been consistent this offseason in saying the Colts are high on Jaylon Carlies, the second-year linebacker from Mizzou, and he'll compete in training camp to earn a starting role next to Zaire Franklin. If the Colts were to have signed a veteran to play weakside linebacker, you're cutting off a path to development for Carlies – who fits the profile (Day 3 draft pick with good athleticism and high-end length) of the sort of player the Colts have succeeded in growing at the linebacker position. I can't remember a time in the last few years when the Colts' linebacker room was actually a weakness, even if it might've been perceived as such on the outside.
Safety depth behind Cam Bynum and Nick Cross consists of Rodney Thomas II, who has six interceptions over 26 career starts, and two undrafted rookies (Ladarius Tennison, Trey Washington). 2023 fifth-round pick Daniel Scott could factor here as well – he sustained season-ending injuries during offseason program practices in 2023 and 2024, but he's been someone the Colts have been excited about in the past. Seventh-round pick Hunter Wohler could factor in at safety as well.
One thing to remember, though, is the cement never dries for a roster – important additions can be made throughout training camp, and even into the regular season.
