New Alec Pierce Injury Update, Timeline to Return for Colts After Being Activated off PUP

The Indianapolis Colts activated wide receiver Alec Pierce from the physically unable to perform list on Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Fox59's Mike Chappell.

Per Schefter, the Colts' plan is to "start ramping up" Pierce's activity in hopes that he will be ready for the team's regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13.

Pierce underwent ankle surgery in March, and he had been on the PUP list since the start of training camp last month.

Originally selected by Indianapolis in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft, Pierce enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, recording 37 receptions for 824 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns.

He followed that up with an even better 2025 campaign, setting career highs with 47 grabs for 1,003 yards, while also scoring six touchdowns.

Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the past two seasons, topping 21 yards per reception both times.

Given Pierce's status as the Colts' top deep threat and their leading receiver in terms of yardage last season, the organization went to great lengths to keep him in the fold.

The Colts signed Pierce to a four-year, $114 million contract in free agency, giving him an average annual salary of $28.5 million.

Pierce's importance to the Colts' 2026 success became even greater on March 13 when Indianapolis traded wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Pittman was the Colts' most consistent receiving threat during his six seasons in Indianapolis with 485 receptions for 5,254 yards.

Re-signing Pierce and trading Pittman was seemingly a vote of confidence by the Colts in Pierce being able to become a true, No. 1 wideout.

If Pierce is not ready for Week 1, then Josh Downs and recently signed veteran Keenan Allen figure to be quarterback Daniel Jones' top targets at wide receiver, along with second-year tight end Tyler Warren.