Alec Pierce Shows Off His Vertical in a New Role - On Defense
When the Colts needed a big play to close the first half against Houston, they didn’t turn to a safety or a cornerback. They turned to Alec Pierce - their wide receiver.
That’s right. Pierce, known for his ability to high-point the football on deep routes, made his defensive debut in a spot where his particular skill set translates perfectly: defending a Hail Mary. And he delivered.
With just seconds left before halftime, Houston lined up for a last-gasp heave into the end zone. The Colts countered by dropping Pierce deep, trusting the former volleyball standout and deep-ball specialist to go up and make a play.
He did just that, breaking on the ball with authority and swatting it away before any Texans receiver had a shot. It was the kind of decisive, athletic play that makes you wonder if he might’ve wanted the interception too - but in that moment, the priority was simple: just don’t let it land in the wrong hands.
For Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the decision to use Pierce in that moment wasn’t just creative - it was common sense.
“Either catch it or knock it down,” Anarumo said. “Great volleyball player, great receiver.
To me, those guys are the best guys. We had Tee Higgins do it for us in Cincinnati.
Guys with length who can go up and get it - it makes too much sense.”
Anarumo’s thinking reflects a shift in how NFL teams handle Hail Mary defense. For years, the standard coaching point was to bat the ball down, avoiding the risk of tipping it into a waiting receiver’s hands. But more and more, we’ve seen that sometimes the best way to shut down a prayer is to catch it yourself and end the play outright.
“How many times have we seen that thing get tipped, it gets tipped up, and there’s a problem?” Anarumo said. And he’s right - we’ve all seen those chaotic, last-second tip drills that end in heartbreak for the defense.
Pierce’s debut on defense was brief, but impactful. And it likely won’t be a one-time experiment. The Colts plan to keep him in their back pocket for similar situations moving forward - assuming they have the chance to sub him in.
“Sometimes that victory thing will be on the move and we won’t be able to substitute,” Anarumo said. “But if it is a stoppage, he’ll be out there.”
It’s a small wrinkle in the Colts’ game plan, but it’s a smart one. When you’ve got a guy who can out-jump just about anyone on the field, why not use that to your advantage - on both sides of the ball?
So don’t be surprised if you see No. 14 backpedaling in a deep zone again soon. Alec Pierce might be a wide receiver by trade, but when the moment calls for a Hail Mary defender, the Colts know exactly who they want in the air.