The Colts are on track to get one of their most dangerous vertical weapons back right when it matters most.
Alec Pierce is expected to be available Sunday when Indianapolis opens the 2026 NFL season against the Baltimore Ravens, a welcome development after the wideout spent about five months recovering from ankle surgery. Head coach Shane Steichen delivered the update Monday after Pierce kept progressing through practice.
“He should be good to go,” Steichen said. “We’ll get him some reps and practice this week, just like he took reps last week. He’s feeling really good.”
Pierce had surgery in March to address a lingering ankle problem. Indianapolis had hoped he might be ready around the start of training camp, but the rehab took longer than expected, forcing him to miss the entire preseason before he finally returned to practice on Aug. 27.
Since then, the Colts have seen enough to feel comfortable moving him toward Week 1.
That matters for Daniel Jones, who should have his downfield target back in the mix. Pierce and Jones have reportedly spent extra time throwing together as the receiver worked to rebuild his timing after the long layoff. Their connection was a real part of the Colts’ passing game in 2025, and Indianapolis will be counting on that chemistry to show up quickly again.
Pierce also brings a very specific kind of threat. Last season, he led the NFL with 21.3 yards per reception, and it was the second straight year he finished first in the league in yards per catch. That kind of explosiveness forces defenses to make different choices, especially when a game plan has to account for the deep ball.
The Colts will still have to keep an eye on how Pierce responds once the hits start coming again. But Steichen’s comments point to a receiver who has cleared the biggest tests in his recovery and is now poised to suit up when the games begin to count.
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