Colts Announce Michael Pittman Jr. News on Wednesday

Michael Pittman Jr. and the Indianapolis Colts play the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10. They're looking to bounce back after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-20 last week.

Despite the loss, Pittman had an impressive game, being targeted 12 times, hauling in nine receptions for 115 yards. That's the most receiving yards he's had in a game this season.

At 7-2, the Colts are in first place in the AFC South, looking to win the division for the first time since 2014 and make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Pittman has been a big part of the team's success, playing all nine games.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.Christine Tannous-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

However, on Wednesday, the Colts announced their first injury report for the Week 10 and listed Pittman as a non-participant because of a glute injury.

Through nine games, he and quarterback Daniel Jones have formed a special connection. He leads the team in targets ( 68), receptions (52), yards (561) and touchdowns (six).

"He's a great dude, a great teammate, he's a guy that you love to be around inside the building and outside of the building," Pittman said of Jones while on Mad Dog Sports Radio. "I never understood how that negative stuff found him when he was at his other spot."

The Falcons have excelled at stopping the pass this season, ranking first in passing yards per game allowed (158.1). Potentially having Pittman out would only make going against that defense even tougher.

With two practices remaining before Indianapolis must announce his game status on Friday, whether or not Pittman can return will be an indicator of whether he can suit up.

It's an international game taking place in Berlin, Germany. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET, airing on NFL Network.

Rashid Shaheed’s heartfelt farewell after being traded to the Seahawks has stirred controversy

Coming into the trade deadline, everybody seemed to know and understand that the New Orleans Saints were going to be sellers this year. They're one of the worst teams in the league and they don't have any clear direction. It's not like they're a quarterback away from a Super Bowl. Their quarterback situation is horrible, but their team doesn't have much talent around Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler.

But they didn't end up selling as aggressively as some might have hoped.

The Saints made a handful of trades at the deadline, but all their stars stayed in town. The biggest trade the Saints made was a deal that sent wide receiver Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a fourth-round pick and a fifth round pick this season. This trade works out well for the Saints in the long run.

Rashid Shaheed thanks the Saints for his time in New Orleans

Trading Shaheed was always the correct choice. He sits on an expiring contract and it seems like the Saints were unlikely to re-sign him in the offseason. Given the fact that they landed two solid draft picks for the expiring wide receiver, it's safe to say it was a win for the Saints.

But it doesn't mean it's not hard for the team to say goodbye to the four-year veteran.

"So many emotions, So many memories. Thank you for believing in me. I LOVE YOU NEW ORLEANS!! WHO DAT Forever," Shaheed wrote in a post to Instagram after being traded to the Seahawks.

Shaheed has spent his entire four-year NFL career with the Saints. He totaled over 2,000 receiving yards with the team including a year in which he posted over 700 yards. Shaheed caught 12 touchdowns while in New Orleans, too.

But the Saints made the right decision to trade him. And he's likely going to be much happier chasing a Super Bowl with the Seahawks than he was rarely winning games with the Saints. This seems like a win for each side involved in the deal.

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