The Indianapolis Colts pulled out all the stops to keep Alec Pierce beyond the 2025 season. Indy traded away multiple players (including Michael Pittman Jr.) to create cap space to bring back the wide receiver on a four-year, $116 million deal.
“I knew where my heart was. I love the city of Indianapolis,” Pierce said when asked about returning to the organization. “I think we can be special.”
The former Cincinnati Bearcat surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career with Daniel Jones as his quarterback in the 2025 season. With the duo returning for 2026, the team can expect to reach new heights after the previous season took a 180-degree turn.
Indy began their voluntary organized team activities (OTAs), with general manager Chris Ballard revealing major news about Alec Pierce.
Alec Pierce Set to Miss 3 Months
GettyIndianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce
Chris Ballard spoke to the media on the first day of voluntary OTAs and revealed that Alec Pierce had underwent ankle surgery in the offseason after dealing with the injury in the 2025 season.
“For a lot of the (2025) season, he kept dealing with some pain in his ankle, and so after the season, we talked about, ‘Is it good enough? Can we get through it again another year?’” Ballard said, via the Athletic.
Pierce initally was planning to play through the pain in the 2026 season, but after consulting doctors, the wide receiving decided to get surgery for his injured ankle.
The GM said that he doen’t expect any long-term implications on Pierce ankle and it was maintence that played a factor in Pierce dedicing to get the surgery. Ballard mentioned that Pierce will be out three months and that the wide reciever won’t be seen suring OTAs and will return to the team during training camp.
The wide receiver recorded 1,003 receiving yards and 6 receiving touchdowns with an injured ankle. Returning to 100% for the 2026 season, the wide receiver could see a major improvement as he is now set to be WR1 with Pittman Jr. traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Alec Pierce injured and Michael Pittman Jr. now playing in the AFC North, the Colts will likely have to add another wide receiver to the roster to help through training camp and the 2026 season in case Pierce’s ankle injury continues to linger.
Updates On Other Members of the Squad
GettyIndianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner
Chris Ballard revealed that Daniel Jones, who suffered a fractured leg and torn ACL, has been progressing “really well,” with the quarterback moving and throwing the ball.
The GM revealed that the team is shooting for Jones to return to the squad by Week 1 of the 2026 season but said that the team will let the QB’s body dictate his return.
DeForest Buckner, who was dealing with a neck injury in the 2025 season, was said to have been in a good spot, but the team won’t see him practicing until training camp.
With multiple injured key players getting healthy, the Indianapolis Colts could be set up for a promising 2026 season.
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