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NFL Rumors: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts Agree to 3-Year Contract Worth Up to $71.5M

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NFL Rumors: Michael Pittman Jr., Colts Agree to 3-Year Contract Worth Up to .5M


John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. is staying put for the foreseeable future.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Pittman and the Colts have reached an agreement on a three-year contract extension worth up to $71.5 million on Monday.

Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report

BREAKING: The <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Colts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Colts</a> and star WR Michael Pittman Jr. have agreed to a 3-year deal worth up to $71.5M with $46M guaranteed, sources tell <a href=”https://twitter.com/BleacherReport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@BleacherReport</a>.<br><br>One of the NFL’s top young wideouts is secure long-term in Indy. <a href=”https://t.co/qkjpkTNcH4″>pic.twitter.com/qkjpkTNcH4</a>

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Indianapolis placed its franchise tag on him earlier this offseason, which would’ve paid him $21.8 million for the 2024 season.

The sides had until mid-July to negotiate a long-term contract extension, and they got the deal done with time to spare. Pittman was the first Colts player to receive the franchise tag since former punter Pat McAfee in 2013.

A second-round pick in the 2020 draft, Pittman didn’t take long to establish himself as Indianapolis’ top option on the outside despite having a different starting quarterback in all four years of his career. He led the team in receiving yards in each of the last three years.

This past season, Pittman put forth his best year with career highs of 109 catches and 1,152 yards while adding four touchdowns. His 28.2 percent target share ranked 11th in the NFL.

The Colts went 9-8 and barely fell short of the playoffs. Indianapolis is gearing up for the return of quarterback Anthony Richardson, who showed promise as a rookie before his first season was cut short due to shoulder surgery.

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Giving Pittman a long-term extension provides the Colts with a franchise cornerstone and gives them a strong chance at building off the momentum of last season as they try to end a three-year playoff drought in 2024.





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Indianapolis, IN

IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families

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IPS to host vaccine clinic for students and families


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students and families in Indianapolis are encouraged to attend an immunization clinic next week.

The Indianapolis Public Schools district is hosting the clinic on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Shepherd Community Center on East Washington Street. It will be held from 4:30- 8 p.m. 

Walk-ins are welcome, however, people are asked to complete the online registration form, use the enrollment code: IN65942, and select Shepherd Community-8/15/24.

People under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian consent. You are also asked to upload or send the immunization records for the person getting vaccinated and bring insurance cards.

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Organizers say all insurance types will be accepted and billed (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid). For people without insurance, there is no cost for vaccines – except for the Shingles and adult RSV vaccines, which may require a co-pay.

According to IPS, all CDC-recommended vaccines will be provided. If you wish to refuse a specific vaccine, please contact the Indiana Immunization Coalition at least 48 hours before the event at clinic@vaccinateindiana.org.



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Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis

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Colts QB Anthony Richardson reacts to being featured on the JW Marriott Indianapolis


INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — JW Marriott Indianapolis is known for making sports “larger than life.”

For instance, the hotel has featured a large March Madness bracket on its windows in the past. Most recently, it featured an image of Fever rookie guard Caitlin Clark in a Gatorade ad.

This past week, the hotel put a new image on the east windows of its building. The image features three members of the Indianapolis Colts, quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.

News 8 Sports’ Andrew Chernoff asked Richardson about the image on Friday after the team’s training camp practice in Westfield, Ind.

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“That’s definitely cool,” Richardson said. “I appreciate the city embracing me. It means a lot to me and lets me know I’m doing something right. I got a lot of support behind me. So, I’m thankful for it.”

The north window features the phrase “For The Shoe,” the official hashtag of the Colts on X, formally known as Twitter.

Richardson is gearing up for his second season as the Colts starting quarterback. Last year, his rookie season was cut short after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in October.

He’s back healthy and ready to play a full 2024 season.

“It’s definitely easier to manage our offense now,” Richardson said. “I’m a lot more comfortable, a lot more comfortable with the calls when Shane (Steichen) is calling them. Then just looking at a defense, I’m able to scan the defense a lot longer and just check out what I’m going to have on a certain play. So I’m definitely a lot more comfortable in the offense, and I want to plan on continuing to get more comfortable in it.”

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The Colts continue training camp on Monday when they practice from 2 p.m. EDT to 3:30 p.m. EDT at Grand Park.

The team’s first preseason game is just one week away when it hosts the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. EDT inside Lucas Oil Stadium.



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Oregon Duck, Indianapolis Colt DT Closing in on Franchise Records

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Oregon Duck, Indianapolis Colt DT Closing in on Franchise Records


EUGENE – Former Oregon Duck and current defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts, DeForest Buckner, is rising in the record books. The former Duck has established himself as one of the most dominant interior defenders in the NFL, and his impact on the Colts has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Buckner is just one sack away from breaking Ellis Johnson’s franchise record for most sacks in Colt history with 32.5 Sacks. While Johnson’s tenure with the Colts lasted seven seasons, Buckner is on track to beat this record in just his fifth year with the Colts.

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball while Indianapolis Colts defensi

Dec 16, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) runs the ball while Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) defends in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

His impact extends far beyond sacks. Buckner has already solidified his position as the Colts’ all-time leader in quarterback hits for defensive tackles with 87 total quarterback hits. Buckner is also on the cusp of claiming the crown for passes defended by a defensive lineman with 16 passes defended, third among Colts defensive linemen.

The defensive tackle’s ability to disrupt plays is evident in his tackles for loss. Buckner’s 42 tackles for loss places him fifth on the Colts’ all-time list. This season, Buckner has the chance to move to third in Tackles For Loss for the Colts behind Freeney and Mathis, passing Chad Bratzke and Raheem Brock with 4 more in the 2024 season. Buckner’s 281 total tackles and 166 solo tackles rank him third among Colts defensive tackles.

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ndianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) warms up before facing the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. / Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

While Buckner’s achievements are more than impressive, it is important to note that sacks did not officially start being counted until 1982, nearly 30 years after the Colts became a franchise in 1953. Colts legends such as Art Donovan, Gene Lipscomb, and John Dutton played before sacks became an officially recorded statistic. Nonetheless, Buckner’s impact in the modern era is undeniable. His ability to command double teams creates opportunities for teammates to make plays is invaluable.

Buckner’s journey to the NFL began at the University of Oregon, where he played from 2012 to 2015. In 2015, Buckner was recognized as the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He finished second on the team in tackles with 83 while also earning recognition as the team’s defensive Most Outstanding Player. Buckner was also awarded the prestigious Morris Trophy, an award voted on by opposing Pac-12 linemen.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) attempts to sack Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill

Oct 8, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) attempts to sack Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. / Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

As Buckner continues his Colts career, the possibility of breaking more franchise records is large. His combination of talent, work ethic, and leadership makes him a cornerstone of the team’s defense. Buckner is solidifying his status as one of the greatest defensive tackles in franchise history.



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