According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce continues to progress in his recovery, but is still likely at least a few weeks from returning to the football field—although he’s eligible to have his 21-day practice window on injured reserve opened next week:
Pelissero: Alec Pierce (heel) continues to progress but is likely still a few weeks away from game action and isn't expected to return to practice when first eligible next week. pic.twitter.com/IeOKgl8O2v
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 17, 2026
Pierce re-injured his heel late in the first quarter of Week 2’s Sunday Night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and was subsequently placed on injured reserve.
The initial expectation was that Pierce was more likely going to be out until closer to around midseason, meaning at least six-to-eight weeks, rather than simply the four game minimum IR requirement.
For what it’s worth, Pierce was not seen wearing a cast on his re-injured left heel/ankle earlier this week.
As last year’s lead Colts wideout, Pierce has 5 receptions for 72 total receiving yards through 2 games in 2026.
The Colts have struggled replacing him as an elite deep threat, as their offense has collectively lacked explosive plays, and Jones yards per completion average has dipped from 8.1 in 2025 to 5.8 in 2026 respectively. That 5.8 yards per completion average currently ranks just the 28th highest in the NFL among quarterbacks during 2026.
Further, the Colts initial attempt to have veteran downfield threat Darius Slayton help replace Pierce in the interim during his absence at wideout, completely bursted into flames. Slayton was released earlier in the week by the Colts, having not appeared in a game for Indianapolis, despite having been with the club for the past four weeks or so.