Alec Pierce
Wide Receiver #14
Alec Pierce News
Alec Pierce Still in Rehab Process, No Timetable for a Return
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen did not have a positive update on wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) on Wednesday when he was asked about his chance to return in 2026, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. "We'll see. Like I said last week, he's still in that rehab process, and I'm not going to put a timetable on return," Steichen said. Pierce has been sidelined since Sept. 26 after aggravating his surgically repaired heel, and fantasy managers who have been stashing him in an Injured Reserve spot are beginning to wonder if he will be able to return this year. At 2-7 through the first nine weeks of the season, the Colts have no reason to rush Pierce back, even after trading both Keenan Allen and Josh Downs at Tuesday's deadline. With Pierce still on IR and Allen and Downs out of town, the Colts will go into their Week 10 game against the Miami Dolphins with Laquon Treadwell, Ashton Dulin, and Anthony Gould as their presumed top three receivers. Pierce had his first 1,000-yard season in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL, and he led the league in yards per reception in each of the last two years, but the 2026 campaign is shaping up to be a lost one for the big-play wideout.
Nov 11, 2026 7:46 AM EST
Alec Pierce Not Expected to Return "Anytime Soon"
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is unlikely to return "anytime soon," according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Pierce hasn't played since Week 2, and for what it's worth, he hasn't been 100% healthy for a game since last season. It doesn't sound like the 26-year-old will be back on the field within the next couple of weeks, even though he is currently eligible to be activated from injured reserve. It's too early to tell whether Pierce is at risk of being shut down for the whole season, but it's something for the Colts to consider as they undergo a partial teardown of their roster. Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner have already been traded, and it seems like offensive staples Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs could be next. If Indianapolis does wave the white flag on their season, we wouldn't be totally shocked to see Pierce remain on IR and focus on getting healthy for 2027. The idea has gained some traction among local media in Indianapolis, as head coach Shane Steichen was asked if Pierce might not play again this year. "He's rehabbing; can't put a timetable on it right now," Steichen answered. The idea of Pierce being shut down is purely speculation at this point, of course, and we'd still advise managers to stash him in leagues with at least 10-12 teams. If he does return, he'd rank as a fringe WR2 in most leagues, especially if he no longer has to compete with Downs for targets.
Nov 4, 2026 7:06 PM EST
Alec Pierce a Glaring Stash Ahead of Return, Teammate's Potential Trade
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) should be a priority stash in all fantasy football leagues ahead of the midway mark in the season. Pierce tried to play through injury for the first two weeks of the season before being placed on injured reserve, and he is now eligible to be activated whenever the Colts feel he is ready. Given that this move could happen at any time, Pierce is a strong stash option in redraft leagues. After all, there will be a mad scramble to add him when he's activated, so savvy managers should beat the rush and add him off waivers now. Plus, there's the potential for Pierce to carve out an even bigger role if teammate Josh Downs gets traded, as recent rumors have suggested. A Downs trade would strengthen Pierce's position atop the wide receiver depth chart, putting him in the WR2 range on a more consistent basis. The 26-year-old should be stashed on the bench in most 10+ team leagues ahead of his eventual return and potential increase in volume with Downs in trade rumors.
Oct 27, 2026 11:22 PM EST
Alec Pierce Unlikely to Return to Practice This Week
When asked if wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will have his Injured Reserve practice window opened this week, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said, "most likely not," according to Jake Arthur of Sports Illustrated. Pierce has already spent the required four games on IR, but the 26-year-old is not close to a return for the struggling Colts. He aggravated his surgically-repaired left heel in the team's Week 2 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and has not played or practiced since. It is getting harder to hold the big-play wideout in shallow fantasy football leagues without a firm timetable for a return, and it is fair to wonder how effective he will be whenever he returns to the team. The former second-rounder led the NFL in yards per catch in both 2024 and 2025, but he was only able to catch five of seven targets for 72 yards and no touchdowns in his two games for the Colts this year before landing on the shelf. With tight end Tyler Warren (groin) missing the last two games, Indy has struggled to move the ball without relying on running back Jonathan Taylor. Josh Downs has been a non-factor, which has led to veteran Keenan Allen being quarterback Daniel Jones' go-to guy in recent weeks. Pierce is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.
Oct 26, 2026 10:34 AM EST
Alec Pierce Won't Practice This Week
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will not return to practice this week as he continues to rehab a heel injury, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Bowen does not think Pierce will come off Injured Reserve anytime soon. The 26-year-old big-play wideout aggravated his surgically repaired left heel in the Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and has not played since. While Pierce might be making progress, he has been slow to recover, and it does not sound like he is close to a return, even though he is technically eligible to come off IR for the team's Week 7 contest this weekend against the Minnesota Vikings. Pierce's big-play abilities downfield make him worth stashing in most fantasy football leagues despite his injury. Until he can return, Josh Downs and veteran Keenan Allen will continue to see more targets, especially if tight end Tyler Warren (groin) misses anymore time. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons and had his first 1,000-yard receiving season in 2025.
Oct 19, 2026 10:56 AM EST
Alec Pierce Worth Stashing as Injured Reserve Stint Continues
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) remains a very intriguing player to stash in fantasy football, despite his current status on injured reserve. It was previously reported that Pierce is no longer wearing a cast, but he still isn't close to returning. With that being said, there's still an opportunity for managers to make some strategic roster moves, especially in leagues with IR spots. Pierce had four catches for 61 yards in his only game with a snap share higher than 26%. Evidently, availability has been his biggest flaw this year, but if he can return from IR midseason and stay on the field, his big-play upside will help him re-establish himself as a low-end WR2 in PPR leagues. Upon his return, Pierce will look to build on his 2025 season, during which he finished as the overall WR28 in scoring. Given that managers have already started dropping him to waivers out of impatience, there's now a glaring opportunity for savvy managers to add him and build an even stronger roster before lineups lock in subsequent weeks.
Oct 16, 2026 10:05 PM EST
Alec Pierce Out of his Cast, Might Not be Close to a Return
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is no longer wearing a cast on his left ankle/heel, but The Athletic's James Boyd said that he did not get the sense that Pierce is close to a return. The earliest he can return from Injured Reserve would be in Week 7 on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. We will see if the big-play receiver can return to practice next week when he is eligible, but as of right now, fantasy managers should not be expecting Pierce to return immediately. The 26-year-old aggravated his heel/ankle injury in the Week 2 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and was then placed on IR. Without Pierce in the fold, the Colts have leaned on Josh Downs and veteran Keenan Allen, although both pass-catchers are nursing injuries going into the Week 6 tilt at home against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons, so even though he might not be back for another couple of weeks, he is worth stashing in most fantasy leagues. He is rostered in 55% of Yahoo leagues.
Oct 14, 2026 5:07 PM EST
Alec Pierce Worth Stashing on Injured Reserve
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is a stash for managers who have an open IR spot and can afford to wait. Pierce aggravated his left heel in Week 2 against Kansas City, the same heel that required offseason surgery, and Indianapolis placed him on injured reserve on Sept. 26. He has to miss at least four games, making Week 7 against Minnesota the earliest he can return. There is no guarantee he will be ready then, either. The current plan is rehab rather than another surgery, with a midseason return the hope if recovery goes well. Pierce had five catches for 72 yards in two games before the injury, but the reason to hold him is what he did last year. He finished 2025 with 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns while leading the NFL at 21.3 yards per catch. Indianapolis also re-signed him to a four-year deal in March. Pierce is not a short-term waiver solution, but his big-play role gives him enough upside to justify an IR stash.
Oct 2, 2026 6:25 AM EST
Alec Pierce Placed on Injured Reserve
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is being placed on injured reserve after aggravating his surgically repaired left heel, head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday, according to James Boyd. Pierce will miss at least four games while he rehabs the injury. Steichen said the Colts are hopeful Pierce can return at some point this season, but there is no firm timetable. Pierce underwent surgery on the ankle/heel in March and missed most of the offseason before returning ahead of Week 1. He caught five passes for 72 yards across the first two games before aggravating the injury Sunday night against Kansas City.
Sep 23, 2026 7:51 AM EST
Alec Pierce Hoping to Return in Four to Six Weeks
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is hoping to return in roughly four to six weeks after getting a second opinion on the injury, according to ESPN. Pierce aggravated the same left heel that required surgery in March during Sunday's overtime loss to Kansas City. The current plan is to rehab the injury rather than undergo another procedure, although surgery remains possible if the recovery does not go as hoped. Pierce had one catch for 11 yards before leaving Sunday and has five receptions for 72 yards through two games. The four-to-six-week window is the target for now, but the Colts expect his week-to-week progress to determine whether he needs more time.
Sep 23, 2026 7:19 AM EST
"No Guarantee" Alec Pierce is Able to Return by Midseason
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) left Sunday night's loss to the Chiefs after aggravating a heel injury that had been surgically repaired, and with the fifth-year veteran opting to attempt rehab without another surgery, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport shared on Tuesday that the hope is he'll be able to return by midseason, but "there's definitely no guarantee." Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal this offseason but missed most of training camp after the initial surgery and caught four passes in the season opener while working on a limited snap count. While Rapoport praised Pierce for his willingness to return, he did add, "When surgery is a possibility, and you elect to rehab, there's always a chance that it doesn't go great." In Pierce's absence, Josh Downs is a must-roster player, fresh off a seven-catch, 72-yard performance.
Sep 22, 2026 9:52 AM EST
Alec Pierce Set to Miss "Several Weeks," Could Return Midseason
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is set to miss "several weeks" after aggravating a heel injury in his team's Week 2 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Pierce had surgery on the affected heel over the offseason. However, Rapoport reports that Pierce will now attempt to rehab the injury rather than opt for a second procedure. Pierce recorded four catches for 61 yards on six targets in Indianapolis' Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens and one catch for 11 yards against the Chiefs before being forced to leave the game. Pierce was expected to take on a starring role in the Colts' offense after the team handed him a four-year, $114 million contract in March. Without him, Colts wide receiver Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren have a chance to dominate target share in Indianapolis. Veteran wide receivers Keenan Allen, Laquon Treadwell, and the recently signed Darius Slayton could see larger roles as well.
Sep 21, 2026 5:20 PM EST
Alec Pierce Aggravates Heel That he Had Surgery On
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) aggravated something in his heel that he had surgery on, and the Colts are still evaluating him after he left Sunday night's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, head coach Shane Steichen told Jake Arthur of Locked On Colts. The Colts are expected to have more information on Pierce's status later in the week. The 26-year-old hobbled off on Sunday night after catching his only target for an 11-yard gain, and he was unable to put any weight on his leg before being carted to the trainer's room in KC. We will have a better idea of Pierce's Week 3 status later in the week, but as of right now, fantasy managers should not be expecting him to be ready to suit up this Sunday at home against the division-rival Houston Texans. Josh Downs will be Indy's top option at wideout if Pierce misses any time, with veteran Keenan Allen becoming an interesting speculative pickup off the waiver wire this week, even though he could be facing a suspension from the NFL. Through the first two games of 2026, Pierce has caught five of his seven targets for 72 yards and zero touchdowns.
Sep 21, 2026 1:23 PM EST
X-Rays Come Back Negative on Alec Pierce's Heel
X-rays on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce's injured heel came back negative on Sunday evening, a source told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Pierce will be further evaluated on Monday. Pierce's left heel has been bothering him of late, and he looked to be in quite a bit of pain before leaving the Sunday night game early on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs. In fact, Pierce had to be carted to the locker room and was quickly ruled out after that. Before leaving, he caught his only target for 11 yards, so he was yet again a disappointment for fantasy managers in Week 2. It is good news that X-rays came back negative, but it does not mean that Pierce will be ready to play in Week 3 against the division-rival Houston Texans next Sunday. Pierce is a big-play threat when healthy, but he has not really been healthy since having cleanup surgery on his ankle back in the spring. If he misses time going forward, Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren will be the biggest beneficiaries in the passing game. Veteran Keenan Allen could play a bigger role as well, but he is also facing a potential suspension for an off-the-field legal issue.
Sep 20, 2026 7:17 PM EST
Alec Pierce Will Not Return Against Chiefs with Heel Injury
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) will not return to the Sunday Night Football Game with a heel injury he suffered in the first half, as the team downgraded him from questionable to out. According to James Boyd of The Athletic, Pierce was carted off the field and went back to the locker room. It appeared that Pierce was not able to walk on it. Pierce caught his lone target for 11 yards before exiting. The Colts will rely on wide receivers Josh Downs, Keenan Allen, and Tyquan Thornton, and tight end Tyler Warren, among others, while Pierce is out.
Sep 20, 2026 5:27 PM EST
Alec Pierce A Deep League Start, Still Working Back From Injury
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) recovered enough from an offseason surgery on his lower leg to play in his team's Week 1 contest. He hauled in four of his six targets for 61 yards in that game, totaling 10.1 PPR fantasy points. He's reprising his role as one of the best deep threats in the NFL, as he's averaged over 20 yards per reception each season over the last two seasons. When healthy, he's the clear WR1 for his team, and he's likely to continue to improve as the season goes on. There was a lot of skepticism about his potential return to health this year, as he was held out of practice and visibly limping as recently as a few weeks before the season started. Week 2 presents a difficult matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs defense. Pierce seems to be doing well, though Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is also working back from an injury, and will need to be on top of his game for Pierce to have a great day. The fifth-year wideout checks in as a risky WR3/flex in fantasy football for this contest.
Sep 19, 2026 4:25 AM EST
Alec Pierce Officially Cleared to Play in Week 2
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) practiced in full on Friday and will not carry an injury designation into his team's Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old was held out of practice on Thursday due to a heel issue, but it appears the injury is not serious enough to keep him off the field on Sunday. In the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Pierce recorded four catches for 61 yards on six targets. The talented wideout is expected to play a larger role in his team's offense in 2026. However, Indianapolis has other capable target-earners in wide receivers Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, as well as tight end Tyler Warren. The Colts also face a tough matchup against the Chiefs defense, which dominated the Denver Broncos' passing game in Week 1. All in all, Pierce profiles as a borderline flex option for fantasy managers in Week 2.
Sep 18, 2026 1:03 PM EST
Alec Pierce Returns to Practice on Friday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) is back at practice on Friday after not going on Thursday due to a heel injury, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Pierce was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, so his absence on Thursday could have just been for rest purposes. The 26-year-old also suffered a wrist/hand injury in the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but tests later revealed that it was nothing serious. All signs are pointing towards Pierce being ready for the Week 2 tilt this Sunday night on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs, but fantasy managers will want to check back on his status on the team's final injury report on Friday. The former second-rounder in 2022 from Cincinnati has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons, and he should be considered a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy lineups this weekend if he is active. Pierce caught four of his six targets last Sunday for 61 yards in the 41-23 loss to the Ravens.
Sep 18, 2026 8:24 AM EST
Alec Pierce Absent from Thursday's Practice
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (undisclosed) did not practice on Thursday after logging a full participation on Wednesday. It is unclear whether this was a planned rest day or a setback after missing most of training camp while recovering from offseason ankle surgery. The Colts' number one receiver was able to suit up for the season opener and caught four of his six targets for 61 yards, but he was clearly still limited, running fewer routes than both Josh Downs and Keenan Allen, as well as tight end Tyler Warren. The Colts face the Chiefs on Sunday night, making it all the more important for fantasy managers to have a pivot plan if Pierce is unavailable for Week 2; his status will need to be monitored when the team releases its official injury report later in the day.
Sep 17, 2026 9:38 AM EST
Alec Pierce Practicing in Full Ahead of Week 2
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. Pierce was dealing with a heel issue heading into the Week 1 season-opening loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but he played and caught four of his six targets for 61 yards (15.3 yards per catch). The 26-year-old also picked up a wrist injury in Sunday's 41-23 loss, but it was not significant enough to keep him from practicing in full on Wednesday. The former second-rounder in 2022 from Cincinnati should be in the clear to play without any restrictions in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Against a Chiefs defense that looked stout in their Week 1 win against the Denver Broncos, Pierce will be a boom-or-bust WR4/flex on the road in primetime.
Sep 16, 2026 2:46 PM EST
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