Alec Pierce may be off the field for now, but the Indianapolis Colts are still clearly counting on him.
Pierce had ankle surgery in the offseason and has yet to take part in training camp this month as he works his way back. He also hasn’t practiced since signing his four-year, $114 million contract extension, and Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne made it clear that the team is watching the rehab closely - while also having a little fun with his star receiver.
“Getting on my nerves,” Wayne said. “He's definitely locked in, in tune, we just got done talking to him about his rehab and where he is. I'm excited for him, man.
"He's upbeat, so if he's upbeat, then that means he's where he wants to be. Where he needs to be. Obviously, we know what he means to our (receivers) room.”
Wayne’s message was upbeat, but he also drew a firm line on how the Colts want to handle Pierce’s return.
“I just want him whenever he's 100%,” Wayne said. “I don't want him at 85, I don't want him 80 - I need him 100. However long that takes, it is what it is.”
The patience makes sense given what Pierce did last season. In 2025, he put up career-best numbers with 1003 receiving yards, 47 catches and six touchdowns in 14 starts. That production helped him land the long-term deal in the offseason.
For now, the Colts have placed Pierce on the Physically Unable to Perform list before training camp, and general manager Chris Ballard said the receiver was “a week or two” away from joining the team.
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