Colts provide updates on two key players ahead of huge game

The Indianapolis Colts will be fighting for a playoff spot over the final three weeks of the season, and it sounds like they should have two of their best offensive players available for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts’ leading receiver, entered concussion protocol after he took a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit from a Pittsburgh Steelers defender last week. Fortunately, he was a full participant in practice on Friday. Head coach Shane Steichen later told reporters that Pittman has cleared concussion protocol.

Star running back Jonathan Taylor is also trending toward returning in Week 16. Taylor underwent thumb surgery following Indy’s Week 12 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has missed three games. He returned to practice this week, and Steichen said Friday that Taylor has “looked good.”

The Colts have won four of their last five games and are 8-6 on the season. They are tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans for first in the AFC South, though the Jaguars currently hold the tiebreaker over them.

If both Taylor and Pittman can play on Sunday, the Colts should receive a significant boost on offense.