Michael Pittman Jr. clears protocol again; Colts WR hopeful for return Sunday

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. has cleared concussion protocol for a second week in a row.

This time, he hopes to actually play on Sunday.

The Colts' leading wide receiver passed the five steps of the concussion protocol and is set to play against the Las Vegas Raiders. It's the same place he was in a week ago ahead of a game against the Atlanta Falcons.

But he arrived that Saturday on the team plane to Atlanta and felt symptoms again from the vicious hit he took from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee the week before, and the Colts held him out of a 29-10 defeat.

"It just happened on Saturday, so I'm not sure if it was from the travel or not," Pittman said. "... It was super tough because I have my goals and our team goals. But it was actually my wife who pointed out that I hadn't been acting normal yet. I just thought about it and I was like, 'You know, you're right.'"

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Pittman, who leads the Colts with 99 catches and 1,062 receiving yards, will not have a status for this Sunday's game against the Raiders when the team's report is out Friday. The Colts will rule out running back Zack Moss, who was not able to work back from the forearm injury he suffered against the Steelers. Cornerback Kenny Moore II is questionable with a back injury after participating fully the rest of the week.

Indianapolis should also return right tackle Braden Smith, who has missed the past four games with a knee injury. He practiced in full for both sessions this week.

But Pittman's return is the biggest one of them all. The passing game froze without him in Atlanta, as wide receivers combined for just 79 yards, with 38 coming from the outside receiver spots.

"A lot of those key situations, those third downs when we're saying, 'We just need a play. We need a play,'" wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne said. "Normally, we'd be like, 'Pitt will get us a play some kind of way.' And when you don't have Pitt, you're looking around like, 'All right, which one of these guys can give us a play?'"

The Colts are relatively healthy heading into a critical home game against a Raiders team that is also fighting for a playoff spot. At 8-7, the Colts have a lane to either a wildcard spot or the AFC South title, which is currently up for grabs between Indianapolis, Jacksonville and Houston.

That bill of health includes returning Smith, who has missed seven games this season with hip, wrist and knee issues. He'll be in a critical spot of protecting against Maxx Crosby, who has 13.5 sacks this season.

"It sucks having to watch. I've watched a lot of games this year from the sidelines. It's been frustrating," Smith said. "... You've just got to never take anything for granted and savor every moment."