Pierce had three receptions for 42 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss to Houston.
Analysis: Pierce finished his rookie season with 41 receptions for 593 yards and two touchdowns. After failing to make a reception on two targets in his first game, he clicked with Matt Ryan and had 24 receptions for 373 yards and a touchdown in his next six games. He then had just 17 receptions for 220 yards and a touchdown in his last nine games. Pierce showed promise but could never move into the No. 2 role and had just three red zone targets despite his 6-3 height. Of course, it's hard to judge Pierce given Indy's troubles at quarterback (which really fell off in the second half) and poor offensive play. It's not clear if Pierce is considered a cornerstone of the Indy receiving corps as the team revamps the offense for 2023.
Jan 10, 2023 2:41 PM EST
Pierce had three receptions for 15 yards on five targets in Sunday's loss to the Giants.
Analysis: After a stretch where he had just eight receptions in six games, Pierce has had three receptions in each of the last two games. While that's not much production, at least he's showing some signs of relevance ahead of next season.
Jan 2, 2023 10:44 AM EST
Pierce recorded three receptions on four targets for 26 yards in Monday's 20-3 loss to the Chargers.
Analysis: Pierce finished fourth on the team in targets, and the highlight of his performance came on a 15-yard reception midway through the second quarter-- tied for the third-longest passing playing of the game by the Colts. Pierce has at least three catches in three of his last five games, though he's been held under 30 yards four times in that span. Given the quality of quarterback play for Indianapolis, Pierce isn't likely to have big performances to close out the season.
Dec 26, 2022 9:28 PM EST
Pierce didn't catch any of his four targets in Saturday's 39-36 overtime loss to the Vikings.
Analysis: Pierce tied Parris Campbell for second on the team in targets, but Michael Pittman (14 targets) was the only Colts pass catcher to see significant volume in a game Indianapolis led 33-0 at the half before the Vikings mounted a historic comeback. As one would expect from a rookie second-round pick, Pierce has had his ups and downs in 2022. He's been blanked in three of his last five games but stepped up with a career-high 86 yards and his second career touchdown in Week 14. Pierce and the Colts will take on the Chargers in Week 16.
Dec 19, 2022 10:09 AM EST
Pierce had four receptions (eight targets) for 86 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 54-19 loss to Dallas.
Analysis: Matt Ryan connected with Pierce for a touchdown to bring the score to 21-19, but that's as close as the Colts would come to victory before the wheels fell off the wagon in the fourth quarter. The rookie slot man set a new high in receiving yards (86) while scoring his second touchdown of the season. Pierce posted a bagel against the Steelers last week, so while this stat line was encouraging, it shouldn't cause a huge spike in his rostered percentage as Indianapolis enters its bye. The Colts will resume play against the Vikings on Dec. 18.
Dec 4, 2022 11:17 PM EST
Pierce did not have a reception on two targets in Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.
Analysis: Pierce has disappeared in the Indy offense after a promising first half of the season. He has just four receptions and 14 targets in his last four games, including two games with no receptions. With Jelani Woods having a big game (eight catches) and Parris Campbell improving after a terrible first half of the season, Pierce's role in the passing game may continue to suffer even if this is a short-term slump.
Nov 29, 2022 3:41 PM EST
Pierce caught three passes for 28 yards on eight targets against Philadelphia on Sunday.
Analysis: Pierce's target count was encouraging and his weak efficiency otherwise is rationalized by the fact that it was a very difficult matchup. Pierce saw a lot of Darius Slay, the top Eagles corner and one of the league's best corners in general. The Steelers don't have any such cover men on their defense, so hopefully Pierce can get back on track against Pittsburgh in Week 12.
Nov 20, 2022 3:17 PM EST
Pierce did not have a reception on two targets in Sunday's win at Las Vegas.
Analysis: Pierce played on 37 of the offense's 64 snaps and notably wasn't a starter (Austin Dulin started in a three-WR set). He had clicked with Matt Ryan earlier in the season, so it would have seemed the move back to Ryan as the starting quarterback would help Pierce. It's possible the coaching change to Jeff Saturday has moved Pierce back in the game plan, so this performance can't be entirely written off.
Nov 14, 2022 2:04 PM EST
Pierce had one reception for 23 yards on two targets in Sunday's loss at New England.
Analysis: Sam Ehlinger passed for just 103 yards as the Colts struggled in a blowout loss, so it's hard to read too much into this performance. The Colts have a much better matchup at Las Vegas last week, but Ehlinger's struggles could limit Pierce to only a few deep balls per game.
Nov 7, 2022 2:28 PM EST
Pierce recorded three receptions on five targets for 65 yards in Sunday's 17-16 loss to the Commanders.
Analysis: Pierce's line isn't all that impressive on its own, but he made a couple of athletic catches and was regularly targeted deep down the field. His performance was highlighted by a 47-yard catch, the Colts' longest play from scrimmage. While the switch from Matt Ryan to Sam Ehlinger at quarterback could hurt the likes of Michael Pittman and Jonathan Taylor, Pierce is one potential beneficiary due to the relative arm strength of each signal-caller combined with Pierce's role in the offense.
Oct 30, 2022 9:10 PM EST
Pierce had three receptions for 37 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Tennessee.
Analysis: Pierce has become a favorite target of Matt Ryan, but he didn't get many looks Sunday with the passing offense struggling. Ryan needed to check down to shorter targets while constantly under pressure, leading to nine targets for Michael Pittman in the slot and five for running back Nyheim Hines.
Oct 24, 2022 10:39 AM EST
Pierce brought in three of seven targets for 49 yards and a touchdown in the Colts' 34-27 win over the Jaguars on Sunday.
Analysis: Pierce was putting together a relatively quiet encore to his career-best 8-81 line against the Broncos in Week 5, but he delivered at the most critical time via a 32-yard scoring grab with only 17 seconds remaining that turned out to be the game-winning touchdown. Pierce appears to be getting increasingly comfortable the more he plays with Matt Ryan, and he'll aim to continue building that chemistry in a Week 7 AFC South road matchup against the Titans.
Oct 16, 2022 3:59 PM EST
Pierce secured eight of nine targets for 81 yards in the Colts' 12-9 overtime win over the Broncos on Thursday night. He also committed a fumble recovered by Indianapolis.
Analysis: The rookie stepped up with team-high reception, receiving yardage and target totals for the night, and he recorded a 3-33 line on the Colts' game-tying drive late in regulation. Pierce's totals were also new career highs, sending him into a Week 6 AFC South home showdown against the Jaguars a week from Sunday with plenty of momentum.
Oct 6, 2022 9:28 PM EST
Pierce recorded four catches on six targets for 80 yards in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Titans.
Analysis: Pierce posted his best game as a pro, primarily on the strength of a pair of big plays that went for 44 and 25 yards, respectively. Matt Ryan spread the ball around fairly evenly between several Colts pass catchers, which could bode well for Pierce's ongoing involvement in the offense. Pierce has also shown the ability to deliver big plays, as three of his first seven receptions as a pro have gone for more than 20 yards.
Oct 2, 2022 9:00 PM EST
Pierce (concussion) caught three of five targets for 61 yards in Sunday's 20-17 win over the Chiefs.
Analysis: Pierce returned after missing Week 2 and immediately stepped into the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Michael Pittman, who returned from a quadriceps injury of his own. The rookie second-round pick will look to solidify his spot as Matt Ryan's second option in the passing game in Week 4 against a Titans defense that's tied for the most touchdowns allowed to wide receivers with six.
Sep 26, 2022 12:15 PM EST
Pierce cleared the concussion protocol Thursday and will be available for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Joel A. Erickson of The Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Pierce picked up the head injury Week 1, when he played 51 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps but was unable to haul in either of his targets. The rookie second-round pick will miss just one game as a result of the injury, and he'll set his sights on his first reception as a pro this weekend.
Sep 23, 2022 11:14 AM EST
Pierce (concussion) practiced fully Wednesday, Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reports.
Analysis: Pierce still has to fully progress through the NFL's concussion protocol in order to play Sunday against the Chiefs, but his full participation suggests that's a likely outcome. Meanwhile, top wideout Michael Pittman (quad) returned to a limited practice Wednesday, which bodes well for his chances of suiting up this weekend as well.
Sep 21, 2022 1:12 PM EST
Pierce (concussion) is slated to practice Wednesday, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports.
Analysis: The same applies to Michael Pittman (quad), with Bowen noting that Reich "seems optimistic on both having a good chance" to play Sunday against the Chiefs. After being blanked by Jacksonville in Week 2, the Colts offense can use all the help it can get this weekend and Pierce's anticipated participation in practice Wednesday offers hope that he's progressing through the NFL's concussion protocol.
Sep 21, 2022 10:13 AM EST
Coach Frank Reich relayed Friday that Pierce (concussion) won't play Sunday against the Jaguars, Stephen Holder of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: With Pierce not yet able to pass through the NFL's concussion protocol, the 2022 second-rounder will target a potential return to action in Week 3. In his absence this weekend, Ashton Dulin and Mike Strachan are candidates to log added snaps versus Jacksonville.
Sep 16, 2022 10:43 AM EST
Pierce (concussion) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: According to George Bremer of The Anderson Herald Bulletin, Pierce wasn't taking contact Thursday, but his limited activity nonetheless represents a step forward in his advancement through the NFL's five-step concussion protocol after he had been listed as a non-participant Wednesday. The rookie receiver will likely need to upgrade to full participation Friday and receive clearance from an independent neurologist in order to enter Sunday's game in Jacksonville without a designation. If neither Pierce nor Michael Pittman (quadriceps) -- who didn't practice Thursday -- can get the green light to play Week 2, the Colts would likely turn to Ashton Dulin and Mike Strachan to join Parris Campbell in three-receiver sets.
Sep 15, 2022 1:21 PM EST
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