Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts
Wide Receiver #14
FANTASY NEWS STATS INJURY

Alec Pierce News RotoBaller

Alec Pierce Could Be Available, May Not Be 100% in Week 1

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) "could be available" but is unlikely to "be a super dynamic player" in Week 1, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Pierce is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he works his way back from ankle surgery, which he underwent in April. The 26-year-old had the most productive year of his career in 2025, recording 47 catches for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 84 targets across 15 games. The Colts handed him a monster four-year contract extension this past spring and traded away former WR1 Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leaving Pierce in position to step into an expanded role in 2026. When healthy, Pierce is one of the most dynamic deep-ball threats in the NFL. However, his health and fantasy value both appear to be open questions heading into the year.

Aug 22, 2026 5:31 PM EST

Shane Steichen Gives Positive Update on Alec Pierce

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen gave a positive update on wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) after Wednesday's training camp practice, saying, "Alec is in a great spot right now. I watched him work out (Tuesday) in the indoor (facility) and he's moving around really good. Hopefully we will have him back soon," per Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan. The 26-year-old remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in camp after having surgery on his left ankle in April, but the Colts remain optimistic that he will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September. He was seen doing individual work off to the side on Wednesday, perhaps indicating that he could be getting close to coming off the PUP list. When fully healthy, Pierce is expected to have an elevated role in Indy's passing attack in 2026 now that Michael Pittman Jr. is in Pittsburgh. The former second-rounder from Cincinnati led the NFL in each of the last two years in yards per catch (21.8), scored 13 total touchdowns in those two seasons, and had his first 1,000-yard campaign in 2025. Still, with plenty of time missed this summer and in the offseason, Pierce has become a shaky boom/bust WR4/flex target in fantasy football drafts.

Aug 19, 2026 2:47 PM EST

Colts Expect Alec Pierce to be Ready by Week 1

Andrew Moore of Sports Illustrated reports that the Indianapolis Colts are "still happy" with wide receiver Alec Pierce's (ankle) progress from offseason ankle surgery and "expect him to be ready for Week 1." The team's signing of veteran wideout Keenan Allen on Monday night "has nothing to do" with Pierce's recovery. Pierce had surgery on his left ankle and remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list at training camp. The 26-year-old is not expected to return during camp, yet the Colts think he will still be recovered in time to take the field in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13. Without Pierce in the fold, Josh Downs has stepped up as the Colts' top wideout, with tight end Tyler Warren also seeing plenty of run as a top target for quarterback Daniel Jones. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons and broke out in 2025 with a 47-1,003-6 line in 15 games played, but fantasy managers should be concerned about his chances of an encore after missing valuable time this offseason, especially now that Allen is in the mix. He has fallen to No. 50 in RotoBaller's WR rankings for the 2026 campaign.

Aug 18, 2026 8:10 AM EST

Alec Pierce to Miss All of Training Camp

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (left ankle) will miss all of training camp as he continues to recover from left ankle surgery, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. The surgery occurred in April, and while the Colts remain confident that he'll be ready for the regular-season opener on Sept. 13, it would have been nice to see Pierce get some preseason reps beforehand. He's still at least a week away from handling a normal practice workload, which could potentially have an impact on the number of snaps he plays in Week 1. If Pierce isn't at 100 percent for the season opener, we'd expect to see Daniel Jones distribute more targets to Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, as well as standout tight end Tyler Warren. As it stands, the newly extended Pierce ranks as the overall WR46 in RotoBaller's latest redraft fantasy football rankings.

Aug 16, 2026 6:20 PM EST

Alec Pierce Did Not Receive a Second PRP Injection

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) did not receive a second platelet-rich plasma injection this offseason after having surgery on his left ankle in late March, a league source told Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. Monday night's source told the Indy Star that it had misspoken. Pierce remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp, and there is no timetable for him to return to practice with the rest of the team. The 26-year-old still has time to get back on the field and get ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener, but the longer he's away from the team, the harder it will be to get behind him as a solid fantasy contributor in 2026. When healthy, the former second-rounder from the University of Cincinnati has been a strong deep threat for the Colts' offense, leading the league the last two seasons in yards per reception 21.8 while scoring 13 touchdowns. Pierce is expected to take on a much bigger role in Indy's passing attack in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. out of town, but he might need to be eased in to start his fifth NFL campaign. Fantasy managers should consider Pierce more of a boom/bust WR3/flex commodity as he continues to rehab from ankle surgery.

Aug 11, 2026 7:00 AM EST

Alec Pierce Has Second PRP Injection

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) recently received a second platelet-rich plasma injection and has no timetable for a return. Pierce underwent surgery on his left ankle in March and has yet to practice this offseason. PRP injections are used to accelerate healing, reduce pain, and improve function. It's not ideal that nearly five months later, Pierce is still experiencing pain and instability. With no timetable for return, fantasy managers should be legitimately concerned. Websites and medical advisors report that improvements typically occur two to six months after the injection, so Pierce may be out until after the season begins. Ranked WR38 in RotoBaller's positional rankings, Pierce should drop significantly after this report.

Aug 10, 2026 6:10 PM EST

Colts Don't Have a Timetable for Alec Pierce's Return

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Thursday that he doesn't have an update on wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) after he had offseason ankle surgery, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. "His rehab's going great, I'll say that. I don't have the timetable on his return, but he's doing a hell of a job in his rehab process," Steichen said. Pierce still has time to get ready for Week 1 of the 2026 regular season, but it's a bit ominous that there have been very few details on Pierce's recovery from ankle surgery. The 26-year-old is expected to take over WR1 duties in Indy in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, but so far in training camp, it has been Josh Downs impressing as the team's top pass-catcher while working with quarterback Daniel Jones, who looks fully recovered from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in 2025. Pierce led the NFL with 21.3 yards per catch for the second straight season while posting a 47-1,003-6 line in 15 games in a breakout campaign. The longer Pierce stays on the Physically Unable to Perform list, the more of a risk he'll be for fantasy managers as a big-play threat in the Colts' offense. He's currently ranked as the No. 39 fantasy WR for the upcoming season.

Aug 6, 2026 7:50 PM EST

Some Uncertainty for Alec Pierce's Week 1 Availability

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard spoke with reporters on Tuesday, and in discussing the regular-season availability of his new $114 million wide receiver, Alec Pierce, he remained noncommittal but did not explicitly rule out the possibility that Pierce could miss time, as reported by the Indianapolis Star's Nathan Brown. Ballard told the assembled media, "He's not active right now. He's on PUP, and that's kinda a day-by-day thing... I'm not a doctor so we'll just play it by ear and see how it goes." Pierce opted for offseason surgery after a platelet-rich plasma injection did not relieve the pain of a nagging ankle issue he has been dealing with since 2024. While he has yet to practice since signing his new deal or going under the knife, Ballard did not seem overly concerned about his recovery timeline, telling reporters that he was "a week or two away," and later, "Of course, we'd like to have him right now, but Pierce is working his butt off, and he'll be ready to go when he's completely cleared," Pierce is RotoBaller's WR39 and could prove to be one of the best values in 2026 drafts if he's able to start the season without restriction.

Jul 29, 2026 6:03 AM EST

Alec Pierce a Week or So Away From Returning

The Indianapolis Colts placed wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Monday for the start of training camp, and general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that Pierce is a week or so away with his ankle rehab, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Pierce was given a timetable of four to six weeks when he had ankle surgery in March, so his placement on the PUP list to begin the week wasn't a huge surprise. Barring a setback, the Colts are still optimistic that Pierce can be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sept. 13 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 26-year-old signed a four-year, $114 million contract back in March, and veteran Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers, so when healthy, Pierce is expected to be Indy's new WR1 in 2026 and beyond. He's off to a bad start in camp, though, especially with quarterback Daniel Jones rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon. Pierce has become more of a risky WR3/flex big-play receiver after leading the NFL in each of the last two seasons in yards per catch. He broke out with a 47-1,003-6 line in 15 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the NFL.

Jul 28, 2026 7:48 AM EST

Alec Pierce Begins Training Camp on PUP List

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Pierce can rejoin the rest of his teammates at any time in camp, but he's not ready to get back on the field just yet after having ankle surgery in March. The 26-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 from the University of Cincinnati is coming off a breakout year in 2025 with a 47-1,003-6 line in 15 games while leading the NFL in yards per catch (21.3) for the second straight season. Pierce is also in line to be Indy's clear WR1 in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, but his availability for Week 1 of the regular season is in question, which will keep his ADP low for now in fantasy football drafts. Right now, RotoBaller has Pierce ranked as the No. 39 fantasy WR for the upcoming season. The longer he takes to get back on the field to work with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles), the more risky he'll become in fantasy drafts as a WR2 going into his fifth year in the league. Josh Downs figures to be the Colts' top wideout in camp while Pierce is sidelined.

Jul 27, 2026 1:34 PM EST

Alec Pierce Expected to be Limited in Camp After Ankle Surgery

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) is expected to be limited for some, if not all, of training camp this summer after having offseason ankle surgery in late March, per Stephen Holder of ESPN. There's still plenty of time for him to get up to speed for the regular-season opener, though, and Pierce is "preparing to ascend to the No. 1 receiver role" after the Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Holder adds that it's "an inopportune time for Pierce to be out of the lineup," especially when considering starting QB Daniel Jones (Achilles) is also recovering from a torn Achilles tendon late last year. With Adonai Mitchell no longer in town either, Josh Downs figures to operate as the Colts' top receiver, with Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and rookie Deion Burks behind him. Pierce will no doubt have a bigger role on offense in 2026 if he's healthy after leading the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons, but his ankle injury could give fantasy managers pause in taking him as an upside WR3/flex in 2026 as he heads into his fifth NFL season.

Jul 23, 2026 9:41 AM EST

Alec Pierce Should Surpass Current ADP

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) put together a career year this past season. Pierce posted career highs in both receptions (47) and receiving yards (1,003) across 15 games with the Colts last season. He was rewarded with a hefty $114 million contract. Now the expectations are much higher with Pierce being one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. The good news for Pierce is that Michael Pittman Jr. is no longer on the Colts roster. Pierce is now the No. 1 wideout and should be a focal point in the passing game alongside tight end Tyler Warren. Pierce saw a career-high 84 targets last season, and that was with Pittman on the roster. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if that number rises to triple digits in 2026. Due to offseason ankle surgery, Pierce's ADP has fallen to WR38. There's enough potential here that Pierce should easily surpass that current ADP.

Jul 21, 2026 5:22 PM EST

Alec Pierce One of the Highest Upside Picks in the Middle Rounds of 2026 Drafts

For the first time in his career, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2025 and was handsomely rewarded with a new four-year, $114 million contract minutes after officially reaching free agency. With the Colts trading away their leading target-earner from each of the past five seasons in Michael Pittman Jr., there is little doubt as to who their primary receiver will be in 2026, and with an opportunity to blend some of the league's most high-value targets with a significant volume increase, Pierce has legitimate week-winning potential. Targeted only 149 times over the past two seasons, Pierce has scored on 8.7% of those opportunities while registering a staggering 21.8 yards per reception. With his primary competition now coming from second-year tight end Tyler Warren and a slot receiver in Josh Downs who saw fewer than 30 total snaps in two receiver sets in 2025, Pierce could threaten to match his two-season target total in 2026 alone. With his current ADP of WR38 routinely pushing him into the seventh round or later, fantasy managers would be hard-pressed to find more upside from that area of 2026 drafts.

Jul 3, 2026 11:01 AM EST

Alec Pierce Gives Timetable for His Return

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) didn't participate in OTAs or minicamp practices while he recovers from surgery. Pierce underwent a clean-up procedure on his ankle that has been bothering him for years. Pierce hasn't been on the field yet, but believes he'll be ready to go at some point during training camp. The Colts are going to play it safe and make sure Pierce is 100 percent ready before getting him back into the mix. The expectation is that Pierce will have no lingering effects from this ankle problem that has plagued him since 2024. Despite not being fully healthy, Pierce still finished with over 1,000 receiving yards this past season. He signed a massive $114 million extension with the Colts and is expected to be a focal point in the offense moving forward.

Jun 10, 2026 5:21 PM EST

Alec Pierce Might Not be Ready for Start of Training Camp

When asked about wide receiver Alec Pierce's ankle surgery, Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen allowed for the possibility of him not being ready for the start of training camp in late July, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. The head coach said it could be "a couple weeks in." Pierce broke out in 2025 in his fourth year in the league with 47 receptions on 84 targets for a career-high 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games played. It was the second year in a row that he led the league in yards per reception at 21.3. The momentum he created last year has been stalled by offseason ankle surgery, though, and it sounds like he won't be ready for the start of camp this summer. It could be an issue for the Colts' WR room after they traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the offseason. If Pierce's ankle injury limits him early on in 2026, the Colts would be asking Josh Downs, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Ashton Dulin, and rookie Deion Burks to step up. Pierce's fantasy stock is on the rise as a big-play threat at the position, but he's becoming more of a risky boom/bust WR3/flex target as the 2026 season nears.

Jun 9, 2026 4:30 PM EST

Alec Pierce's Dynasty Hype May Be Creating a Sell-High Opportunity

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) posted the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 47 catches for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 84 targets across 15 games. The Colts rewarded him in the offseason, handing him a four-year, $114 million contract. The new money comes with new responsibility as well, as Pierce could shift into Indy's WR1 role following the team's offseason trade of wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pierce showed signs of becoming a more well-rounded wide receiver in 2025, but he's still never averaged more than 5.6 targets per game in a season and is heavily reliant on downfield production. Pierce is also recovering from offseason ankle surgery, which isn't expected to impact his availability to open 2026 but could be a limiting factor on his performance. If the Colts' passing game as a whole takes a step back in quarterback Daniel Jones' (Achilles) first year back from a torn Achilles, Pierce's production may not take the leap many are expecting. In dynasty formats, managers may want to look to capitalize on the growing hype around Pierce with a sell-high trade.

May 29, 2026 12:58 PM EST

Alec Pierce Underwent Offseason Ankle Surgery, Expected to Be Ready for Training Camp

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said that wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) underwent ankle surgery, per ESPN's Stephen Holder. Pierce reportedly played through pain in the ankle last season. The surgery will keep him from participating in OTAs, but Pierce should be ready to go for training camp. The 25-year-old had the best year of his career in 2025, recording 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 84 targets across 15 games. The Colts rewarded Pierce earlier this offseason with a four-year, $114 million extension. The team also traded away veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr., which could mean Pierce will be expected to expand his route tree beyond his usual downfield role. While it sounds as though Pierce should have a normal training camp, this ankle ailment will be something for fantasy managers to monitor heading into 2026.

Apr 20, 2026 8:38 AM EST

Alec Pierce's Stock Rising Following Payday

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce was paid like a top-tier receiver this offseason, signing a four-year, $114 million extension. It's a hard-earned payday for Pierce, who eclipsed 1,000 yards last season and was the WR28 in PPR leagues. Still, it's a big investment for a receiver who had been third on the depth chart less than 12 months earlier. Now that he's paid like a No. 1 receiver, managers should expect him to be targeted like one every single week. His target rate will presumably increase from last year's mark of 5.6 targets per game. With Michael Pittman Jr. gone, the Colts could ask Pierce to abandon his deep-threat playing style and serve as more of a medium-range target for Daniel Jones. This might mean fewer explosive touchdowns, but it should result in a higher target share and more consistent production week in and week out. A 25-year-old who is under contract for four years is typically a very safe and dependable option for fantasy managers, as he has job security and the team is investing enough money to force-feed him targets. Managers should hold Pierce, who ranks as the WR35 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings and possesses top-24 upside.

Apr 19, 2026 8:05 AM EST

Can Alec Pierce Perform Like One of the Highest Paid Receivers in the League?

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce hit free agency at the age of 25 after topping 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career. In a free agent class lacking proven studs, Pierce took advantage of his well-timed situation and agreed to a four-year, $116 million deal to return to the Colts. With Indianapolis trading away veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. on the same day, the team removed any questions about who their number one receiver would be moving forward. Pierce's competition for targets will not be insignificant, with tight end Tyler Warren topping 100 targets as a rookie and Josh Downs finishing 2025 with one more target than Pierce (with an additional game played). Where Pierce stands out, both for the Colts and as a potential fantasy league-winner, is through his usage. His 20.0-yard ADoT and 21.3 yards per reception were both second in the NFL behind only Tyquan Thornton, who got there on fewer than half the targets. If Pittman's 100+ vacated targets are divvied up even close to evenly between Pierce, Warren, and Downs, there is little doubt as to who will benefit the most. If Pierce can hit 1,000 yards on 47 receptions, something closer to a 70-catch season could put him among the true fantasy difference makers.

Mar 30, 2026 6:00 AM EST

Alec Pierce Projected for "8-10" Targets Per Game

The early projection is "eight to 10" targets a game for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce in 2026, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. The Colts re-signed Pierce on Monday to a four-year, $116 million contract after he led the team with 1,003 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 47 receptions in 2025. Sources say that the 25-year-old turned down offers from other teams that would have surpassed his deal with the Colts by a "substantive amount." Pierce preferred familiarity and to keep his connection going with quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles). The Colts traded away Michael Pittman Jr. on Monday, too, so Pierce will be Indy's unquestioned No. 1 wideout in 2026 after his breakout performance last season. Posting a second straight 1,000-yard season might not be easy, but Pierce has solidified himself as a big-play threat for fantasy managers after leading the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons.

Mar 10, 2026 9:54 AM EST