INDIANAPOLIS — The reports on Michael Pittman Jr. were, at best, premature. As it turned out, it was the Tennessee Titans feeling his pain. “He just showed up,’’ Colts coach Shane Steichen said after Pittman generated two late, pivotal plays in the Indianapolis' 20-17 win Sunday at Nissan Stadium. “Like I said, the toughest guy I’ve ever been around.’’ Pittman’s 10-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Joe Flacco with 7:27 remaining in the game gave the Colts their first lead since the opening drive. His 16-yard reception on second-and-10 just ahead of the 2-minute warning enabled them to squeeze all but 12 seconds off the clock. Pittman’s game-changing plays came against L’Jarius Sneed, the Titans’ $76 million cornerback. “I call him ‘the closer’ in the huddle,’’ wideout Josh Downs said. Until late in the week, it was uncertain whether the Colts could call Pittman anything other than “inactive.’’ Or worse. He’s been dealing with an unspecified back injury for several weeks, which occasionally “flares up,’’ according to Pittman. A source conceded the injury might force Pittman Jr. to miss a few games, and the Colts even discussed placing him on the injured reserve list. Pittman decided otherwise. He didn’t practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was a full participant Friday. “Yeah, I mean, I feel like I really decided on that Thursday that I was going to try to make a push for it and we’re going to restart that whole cycle and just get to Sunday,’’ he told reporters in the locker room. A candid Pittman didn’t rule out an eventual trip to IR. Until that decision is made, he’ll do whatever possible to make a difference. He was asked about Steichen’s “toughest guy’’ comment. “Yeah, I wouldn’t give myself that much credit,’’ said Pittman. He credits much of his tough disposition to father Michael Sr., who was a hard-nosed NFL running back for 11 years. Dad was the leading rusher for Tampa Bay’s 2002 Super Bowl champions. “I’m just going to keep showing up and whatever opportunities come, just try and make the most of them and just go out there and help us win games,’’ Pittman said. The Colts evened their record at 3-3 and won for the second time in 10 months in Nashville. Both have Pittman’s fingerprints all over them: *A 4-yard touchdown catch from Gardner Minshew II in overtime last December that produced a 31-28 victory. *Sunday’s 10-yarder on a jump ball in the end zone against Sneed. The Titans dialed up a blitz-zero look that had two defenders bearing down on Flacco. He backpedaled to buy time, then lofted the pass to Pittman. “We talked about maybe having that opportunity at some point in the game, not necessarily on that play,’’ Flacco said. “They play cover-zero, and I knew I had the corner (to Alec Pierce), and I knew I had (Pittman) coming across the field. “It was a great catch. Just great going up for it. I mean, it’s a 50-50 ball that he wins. So, it’s huge.’’ “Joe just made a great throw,’’ Pittman said. “He just fell back and threw it up. I had to go up there and get it for him.’’ The 16-yard catch was an appropriate play by the “closer.’’ “Joe just threw a perfect pass,’’ Pittman said. “I just gave some late hands.’’ Pittman finished with a modest bottom line: three catches for 35 yards and the TD on five targets. But his influence — OK, toughness — permeates the locker room. He’s missed only two games the past four seasons: a concussion in 2023 and a quad injury in ’22. “It’s huge,’’ Steichen said of Pittman’s availability. “This league is a tough, physical league and he shows that. It’s great for guys in the locker room to see that, that he battles through stuff. “He’s just a warrior.’’ Flacco has been around for just seven months, but has gained quick appreciation for Pittman. His career spans 17 seasons, five teams and 190 games. “He’s got to be one of the toughest players I’ve played with,’’ he said. “I think part of him was trying to prove a point. “There was a report that came out earlier — even I saw it on my ESPN app — ‘Pittman out’ or whatever it is. It’s awesome. When you have guys like that, you can go a long way. “Those are the kind of guys you need to play winning football.’’ Downs provided the winning plays before Pittman took over late. He led the Colts with seven receptions for 66 yards, including a 22-yard TD from Flacco to cap the game’s opening drive. Downs also averaged 16.8 yards on four punt returns. Like Pittman, there was little chance of Downs not playing. “Yeah, I mean, you saw the injury report,’’ he said. “We got a whole lot of guys playing banged up. “But yeah, the fact Pitt is out there playing right now is a huge testament to his toughness and kind of the character of this team ... a lot of guys playing banged up. That’s what you got to do at this level. We just got to keep going.’’ You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter/X at @mchappell51.