Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce is facing another extended absence. He will miss several weeks after aggravating a previously surgically repaired heel injury, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.
Alec Pierce Sidelined Again
He did not return to the contest.
Weighing Surgery and Rehabilitation
Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed Monday that the physical issue requires medical attention. Pierce is likely headed to injured reserve.
Rather than jumping straight to the operating room, he has chosen to rehab the foot first. Still, Rapoport reported that a surgical procedure remains an option if his recovery stalls.
If his rehabilitation goes according to schedule, the wide receiver could return to the active roster by midseason.
Building on a Breakout Campaign
The timing cuts short a sharp upward trajectory. The latest setback halts momentum for Pierce following a career-best 2025 campaign.
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Last season, he recorded 47 catches for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. It marked his first 1,000-yard season in the NFL.
That breakout performance paid off handsomely. It earned him a four-year, $114 million contract extension with Indianapolis in March 2026.
A Chronically Troubled Foot
Durability has proven elusive across the 2026 calendar year. Pierce underwent a procedure on the same heel during the spring.
That initial operation forced him to miss offseason workouts and the majority of training camp. The team eventually activated him off the physically unable to perform list in August.
Through the first two games of the 2026 regular season, Pierce has tallied five receptions for 72 yards.
Scramble for Roster Depth
Pierce’s multi-week absence thins an Indianapolis wide receiver corps already dealing with depth concerns. Beyond Josh Downs, the team relies on veteran reserves Keenan Allen and Laquon Treadwell.
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To bolster the position group, the franchise is adding former New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton, according to ESPN reporting.
The Colts face a critical stretch of games without their deep-threat target, who has led the league in yards per reception in each of the last two seasons.
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