Colts send Alec Pierce to injured reserve with heel setback
The short version
- Alec Pierce placed on injured reserve; out at least four games
- He re-aggravated a heel that was surgically repaired in the offseason during the loss to the Chiefs
- No surgery planned for now and no timeline for his return
- Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal in March; led NFL in yards per catch in 2024 and 2025
Indianapolis will be without wideout Alec Pierce for a minimum of four games after he re-injured his surgically repaired heel against Kansas City.
Indianapolis wide receiver Alec Pierce is bound for injured reserve, a move that rules him out for a minimum of four contests. Head coach Shane Steichen announced the decision at his Wednesday media session, according to multiple reports.
Pierce hurt the heel again during Sunday night's defeat against the Chiefs. The same foot was operated on over the offseason, and the latest aggravation has left the club without any firm schedule for getting him back on the field.
For the time being, the plan is for Pierce to attempt recovery through rehabilitation rather than a follow-up surgery. Steichen noted that the wideout had met every marker in his recovery process and had been medically approved to play.
The coach defended the decision to dress him, telling reporters the team would never have played him unless both sides were comfortable, in comments relayed by Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.
Pierce agreed to a four-year, $114 million contract with Indianapolis in March. He opened the year with four receptions totaling 61 yards, then added an 11-yard grab Sunday before leaving the game. He topped 1,000 receiving yards for the first time last season and paced the NFL in yards per catch in both 2024 and 2025.
