Colts Activate Alec Pierce from PUP, Practices for First Time in 2026

The Indianapolis Colts have made the much-anticipated move of activating wide receiver Alec Pierce from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, allowing the team's top pass-catcher to return to practice in an official capacity.

Pierce practiced on Thursday for the first time in 2026 after surgery on his left ankle/heel in March to address pain that began late in the 2024 season.

“Yeah, just first time being back out here, wearing the helmet, playing with the other NFL players, right? You've got to knock a little bit of rust off, but been working in PT, been working kind of off and on with the trainers," Pierce told reporters after practice. "They've been doing a good job preparing me, getting me ready. So, just a little different once you get back out here, get timing from Daniel (Jones) and these other NFL arms.”

Pierce first had a platelet-rich plasma shot after the 2025 season in January to attempt to fix the issue, but when it didn't have the desired effect, Pierce opted for the procedure, which carried a four-to-six-month recovery time.

The Colts signed Pierce to a new four-year, $114 million contract in March following his first 1,000-yard season and consecutive years leading the NFL in yards per reception. He missed all of training camp and almost certainly the preseason, but Pierce and the team aim to have him ready for Week 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Baltimore Ravens.

“Yeah, Week 1 is the goal. And mentally, it is tough," Pierce said about how tough things were mentally while not being able to practice. "You've just got to find ways to try and stay in it because you're going to be in those meetings and stuff. It’s good to be around the guys. They kind of – they keep your spirits up and stuff because sitting and watching film and watching walkthroughs, watching practice, like it gets a little monotonous. You want to be out there. You want to be out there helping the team, making plays with the team, working with your brothers.”

In 64 career games (55 starts), Pierce has caught 157-of-296 targets for 2,934 yards (18.7 avg.) and 17 touchdowns.

He is coming off a career year in 2025, catching 47 passes for 1,003 yards (21.3 avg.) and six touchdowns. With his new contract, he is expected to step into the team's WR1 role for the first time after the team traded Michael Pittman Jr. in the offseason.

With that being the case, this will be uncharted territory for Pierce, whose career-best 84 targets in 2025 ranked just fourth on the Colts.