The Indianapolis Colts have taken an important first step toward getting Alec Pierce back into the mix, activating the receiver off the physically unable to perform list on Thursday. It does not mean he is ready to play right away, but it does begin the ramp-up period with Week 1 against the Ravens on Sept. 13 now the obvious target.
Pierce started training camp on the PUP list after ankle surgery, a setback that followed a difficult recovery process. In January, a platelet-rich plasma injection failed to produce positive results in his affected ankle and heel before he underwent surgery in March. That background explains why this return matters: the Colts have not just missed a receiver, they have spent the summer waiting to see whether he could get back on schedule.
Why Pierce's return matters for the Colts
The timing is significant because the Colts have already made moves to reshape their receiver group. Michael Pittman was traded to Pittsburgh in March, Keenan Allen was signed last week, and Josh Downs remains part of the mix. Pierce’s absence had diminished expectations for Indianapolis’ receiving corps, so his activation gives the group a more complete look heading into the final stretch before the season starts.
That does not mean the Colts will rush him. Pierce made clear that he is working to his own timetable, saying, “I’m on my schedule,” while also stressing, “We’re where we want to be.”
What Pierce is feeling now
Pierce also spoke openly about how difficult the process has been. “Mentally, it is tough,” he said, adding that it helps to stay involved in meetings and around the team while he is not fully practicing. He described the routine of watching film, walk-throughs and practice from the sidelines as monotonous, but said being around his teammates keeps his spirits up.
That is the clearest sign of where this stands for Indianapolis: Pierce is back in the building and back in the conversation, but the real test is still ahead. The hope is that he can build enough work now to be ready when the Colts open the season against the Ravens.
For a team trying to get its passing game in order, that makes Thursday’s activation an encouraging development. The Colts do not need Pierce to do everything immediately. They need him healthy enough to become a real part of the offense when it matters most.
