There's a new update on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce's recovery from ankle surgery, but still no firm timeline for his return to the practice field.
UPDATE: Pierce did NOT have a second PRP injection, per Brown.
The Indianapolis Colts' highly-paid wide receiver Alec Pierce has yet to practice this offseason after undergoing surgery on his left ankle in March. While provided timelines for his return have been anything but firm (and remain so), there is a new update on Pierce's recovery behind the scenes.
Initially reported on Monday by ESPN's Adam Schefter and The Indianapolis Star's Nathan Brown, Pierce had a second platelet-rich plasma injection in his ankle this offseason to aid in his recovery. The first occurred in January right after the 2025 season. According to
The Athletic's James Boyd, Pierce received the most recent shot in late June.
"He sought out the additional procedure, according to the league source, to help with lingering soreness and speed up the healing process," Brown wrote. "The injection wasn’t due to a setback in his rehab, the source said."
Boyd wrote, "(Pierce) received the second PRP shot in late June to alleviate soreness and speed up his rehab, which the source emphasized is 'not abnormal.' Pierce said in June that when he initially received a PRP injection at the end of last season, he faced a six-to-eight-week recovery. It’s unclear how long Pierce’s recovery is this time around, as the source did not specify."
On July 28 — exactly two weeks ago — Colts general manager Chris Ballard said of Pierce, "Pierce, who had his surgery in March, he's getting there. He's close, probably still a week or two away. We'll kind of take it day-by-day, but making great progress. He's worked. I don't foresee it being a major issue. Of course, I'd like to have him right now, but Pierce is working his butt off, and he'll be ready to go when he's completely cleared."
Pierce signed a new four-year, $114 million contract with the Colts in the offseason, which is the most lucrative free-agent contract given to a wide receiver in NFL history.
Throughout his four-year career, Pierce has been used primarily as a downfield threat. He's never been the focal point of the passing game, though, as his career-high 84 pass targets in 2025 ranked fourth on the Colts. However, the plan moving forward after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. is for Pierce to become the top option in the Colts' passing game.
While Pierce will maintain some of his downfield role, he'll incorporate much more of the short-to-intermediate routes that Pittman had in his repertoire once he returns.
In Pierce's absence, the Colts have leaned on receiver Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren to carry the passing game, while receivers Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine soak up increased roles as well.
While Pierce remains on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list until he can return, Downs (groin) has missed the last two practices, while Treadwell (hamstring) has missed the last three.
The Colts' nine-figure receiver can't return soon enough.
