INDIANAPOLIS — Last season, Michael Pittman Jr. made the game-winning touchdown catch in overtime as the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Tennessee Titans 31-28 in Nashville, Tennessee.

This year, the 27-year-old wide receiver could complete an unlikely comeback before the game has even kicked off.

After missing the first two days of practice while nursing a back issue that could land him on injured reserve, Pittman was a full participant Friday.

And he could play Sunday against the Titans (1-3).

It’s been an unpredictable series of events. From the outside, at least.

“He’s one of the toughest guys I’ve ever been around,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “So it’s not surprising at all.”

Pittman leads Indianapolis with 37 targets this season, and he’s second on the team with 22 catches and 238 receiving yards.

He’s served as something of a security blanket for both starting quarterback Anthony Richardson and veteran backup Joe Flacco, and he’s a captain for the first time in his career.

But it appeared early this week as though his season would be put on pause for a significant amount of time.

After Pittman sat out Wednesday’s practice, multiple media outlets reported he was dealing with a back injury, and a stint on IR — which would require a minimum four-game absence — was under serious consideration.

Pittman confirmed the back issue “flares up” intermittently and remains a concern.

But he’s determined to at least make an attempt to play through it.

“We still don’t know what course of action is gonna happen, but I’m just doing everything to put myself in the best situation to try and play because I always want to be out there for everybody in here,” Pittman told reporters at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. “So we’ll see what happens, but nothing’s guaranteed. Everything is kind of still on the table.”

The Colts (2-3) are facing a Tennessee defense that ranks third in the NFL in yards per passing attempt allowed (4.6) and has surrendered just three touchdown passes.

The Titans have the league’s top-ranked defense in yards allowed and rank 15th with an average of 22.5 points given up.

In addition to Pittman, Richardson (oblique), wide receiver Josh Downs (toe) and right tackle Braden Smith (knee/ankle) were offensive starters listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.

Indianapolis ranks 13th in total offense and scoring offense (23.8 points per game) and is seventh with an average of 7.1 yards per pass attempt.

Richardson leads the league with an average of 16.8 yards per completion and averages a healthy 8.5 yards per attempt despite completing just 50.6% of his passes and throwing a league-high six interceptions.

He was a limited participant in Friday’s practice after missing last week’s 37-34 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Richardson said earlier this week he could play against the Titans at less than 100%.

“I really just think it’s all up to feel,” he said. “If my — I’m pretty sure my body’s not 100% because (after) Week 1, your body is going to keep going down and down and down because it’s taking hits. But if I’m feeling good, I’m going to go out there.”

Pittman’s situation is more complicated.

Back injuries always require serious maintenance, and all parties must consider the risk of worsening the injury if the wide receiver plays this week.

But Pittman said he still believes he can be effective on the field and help the offense move the chains.

“I think it’s gonna be up to Shane,” he said. “So (I’m) just doing everything that I can do to try to show him that I am ready to go, and then we’ll see what happens.”

INJURY REPORT

Running back Jonathan Taylor (ankle) was ruled out for the second straight week, and cornerback Kenny Moore II (hip/shoulder) joined the long list of players listed as questionable.

Moore, Downs and Pittman were full participants in Friday’s practice. Richardson was limited, and Smith did not participate.

Defensive end Kwity Paye (quadricep) was a full participant and did not receive a status for Sunday’s game, so he’s on track to return to the lineup after a two-week absence.

Center Ryan Kelly (neck) also did not receive a game status designation and is expected to return after missing the last two weeks.

Tennessee ruled out safety Jamal Adams (hip), defensive tackle Keondre Coburn (knee) and linebacker Cedric Gray (shoulder).

Titans head coach Brian Callahan said quarterback Will Levis (right shoulder) — who was a full participant in practice throughout the week — will start.